Mike started pro/am ballroom dancing in 2020, sky-rocketing to the top within three years: At USDC 2023, he placed 2nd in Open Rhythm (B) and was crowned as the “Mambo King” in the first-ever Mambo Championship at the USDC!
Mike can potentially become the next Giovanni (Giovanni Fortezza: Savior of the male species in pro/am ballroom dancing). But will he?
1. Introduction
It all began in the Spring of 2020: Mike’s romantic partner was on the cusp of releasing a new single, a song that held special significance as it was about him. To complement its release, Mike envisioned creating a promotional video that would weave the essence of the music into the vibrant moves of Salsa dancing. This vision led him to reach out to Oxana, a friend, ballroom dancer, and choreographer. Upon hearing his proposal, she accepted it, reminding him of her past promise to dance with him one day.
The Salsa session with Oxana was amazing. It awakened a dream within him. As the session concluded, Oxana gave him a proposal: “Dance pro/am with me, and I promise to make you a world champion.” Her words, filled with conviction and belief, resonated deeply. Without hesitation, he said yes, thus starting their journey of pro/am dancing. However, they could not (thanks to Covid), and did not, compete until 2022.
2. Why does Mike keep dancing ballroom?
For Mike, ballroom dancing is his sanctuary, a space where he feels utterly free. Whether on the competition floor or in the studio, everything else fades away. It is where stress dissolves and anxiety ebbs, offering a release unlike any other.
Mike dances to win, of course. But far more than that, he dances because dancing loves him back equally. Finding something that loves you as much as you love it is rare in life. That is why he plans to dance ballroom for as long as possible.
When Mike first encountered the world of ballroom dancing, he did not think it was for him. But then he met Oxana, who made him believe that it was for him and something he could be best at – It has turned out to be true!
Furthermore, Mike now believes that ballroom dancing saves lives: It has become an outlet for him, a form of therapy.
Politics exists in all areas and businesses, especially in subjective sports, where judging is based on taste, look, and feeling. However, if you can peel back all those layers, the sport of ballroom dancing reveals itself as a little slice of heaven—a piece he plans to enjoy fully …
3. The competitions
Mike thrives on the thrill and excitement of competing: It sets his heart ablaze. Over the past two years (i.e., 2022 and 2023), he participated in over 30 competitions, each uniquely challenging and rewarding. These competitions have been not only about showcasing his skills but also pivotal in pushing him to evolve as a ballroom dancer, each for its own distinctive reasons. Seven examples:
- NYDF (New York Dance Festival) 2022.
- Dance Stars Festival 2022 (San Francisco).
- Emerald Ball 2022.
- Embassy Ballroom Championship 2022.
- Blackpool Dance Festival 2023.
- NV Ball 2023.
- USDC 2023.
To briefly highlight each …
3.1 NYDF 2022
NYDF 2022 was brimming with energy when he arrived. The ballroom was filled with raw passion and a hunger for the dancesport. He knew he was in the right place. Since this was his second competition, he faced some skilled dancers. After placing 2nd, he knew he had work to do.
3.2 Dance Stars Festival 2022
His first dance (Cha Cha) started at 8 am at this competition. Dancing at such an early hour shocked his body but mentally prepared him for the rest of the year. After that experience, dancing Cha Cha in the evening felt like a breeze.
3.3 Emerald Ball 2022
This was referred to as the Disneyland of dance competitions. It was attended by dancers from all over the US and beyond. It was in LA, Mike’s current home city. So, his friends came to see him dance for the first time, and Mike gave them a show.
3.4 Embassy Ballroom 2022
At this comp, Mike received the world title in Open Rhythm. It was a very emotional experience to achieve his dream and first major goal!
3.5 Blackpool Dance Festival 2023
The Blackpool Dance Festival is something every ballroom dancer should experience once at least. Dancing in the Empress Ballroom, a venue graced by many champions, icons, and legends, is an unforgettable experience. For Mike, performing at the grand gala made him feel like he was in heaven.
3.6 NV Ball 2023
Mike won Open Rhythm!
3.7 USDC 2023
This competition coincided with his birthday week – He turned 40! He placed 2nd in Open Rhythm (B) and won the first USDC Mambo Championship!
3.8 Summary
The seven competitions mentioned above hold a special place in his heart. He is grateful for his natural ability to feel the music and showcase the rhythm within. His competitive journey has been among the best experiences of his life. Yes, it involves a lot of hard work and coaching before, during, and after each competition. Placing 1st in 98% of his competitions is something he values dearly, and he plans to continue giving 1000% in every practice and competition he is in.
4. Mike’s teacher
Her name is Oxana Kashkina, and she holds a special place in Mike’s life now. He is beyond grateful to have found her, as she is his perfect teacher. Her passion for the dancesport and dedication to her students are second to none. Mike admires her teaching approach: She begins by understanding his natural movement before introducing technique. Oxana is patient yet assertive in all the right ways. She insists that her students always present their best selves. He cannot imagine his dance life without her. Most importantly, she instills in him a belief that he can conquer the world. Having a teacher like Oxana only fuels Mike’s innate drive and relentless pursuit to be the best he can be.
5. Everything and everywhere
2023 was a whirlwind: He competed in over 12 competitions, of which two were international.
In February, Mike and Oxana acquired GO WILD Minneapolis Dance Sport from Donna Edelstein and Bill Sparks. He was fortunate to work alongside them during their final year as organizers. It was a beautiful passing of the baton, and he is excited to create an unforgettable experience for all attendees of GO WILD Dancesport.
After supporting Donna and Bill, Oxana joined him in Minneapolis, and they flew to London that night to compete at the Blackpool Dance Festival. As mentioned previously, that experience was emotional and left him speechless. Upon returning to the US, Oxana and Mike discussed his interest in competing am/am, and word got out …
At the Palm Desert Dancesport, the amazing Yolonda and Alexis Pollack, both incredibly talented, learned Mike was seeking a dance partner. A tryout was arranged at the competition, and things clicked immediately. Two weeks later, Mike was in Utah, Alexis’s home state, finalizing two of their five dances in Rhythm. Despite managing his tech company, his personal life, and working with Oxana in pro/am, Mike still found time for weekly rehearsals with Alexis in Utah. Within two months, all five dances were complete, and they began coaching with judges as the first competition approached. Showtime:
- 2nd in Amateur Worlds in Assen.
- 1st in Hollywood Dancesport.
- 1st at OSB 2023.
After OSB 2023, Mike and Alexis ended their am/am partnership. Sad, but it was in the best interest of both parties. Alexis returned to dancing with her brother, while Mike continues his pro/am journey with Oxana, runs his tech company, and is now the organizer of Go Wild Dancesport!
Mike’s only regret is that he had not discovered competitive ballroom dancing earlier in his life, knowing the dancer he now has become at 40. However, he is grateful for the journey so far and looks forward to his next chapter in ballroom dancing.
6. What is next?
Ballroom dancing is more than dancing and competition for him – It is his second home. His love for Rhythm is so profound that he is eager to bring as much light and innovation to it as possible. As his tech company grows and he eases himself into the role of Chairman, he looks forward to spending more time doing what he loves most: ballroom dancing!
Mike certainly has the potential of becoming the next Giovanni.
But will he?
Time will tell …
7. Mike and me
Mike’s incredible surge in competitive pro/am ballroom dancing was soon noticed by many, including me. I enjoyed watching him until USDC 2022, when I ended up in the same heat with him, placing 3rd (aka “the last’) …
After that, I candidly advised him not to do “Gentlemen only” again because Giovanni does not do it. He listened, apparently.
8. Closing
Mike extends his heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been a part of his journey in ballroom dancing. He eagerly anticipates working with more coaches, legends, and industry icons in all aspects of ballroom dancing, including competition organization!
As for being the next Giovanni, he said, “Challenge accepted!”
