Michael Mead
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| Michael Mead | |
 Michael (right) with Toni Redpath
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| Born | June 4, 1956  Croydon, England United Kingdom |
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| Occupation | Choreographer |
| Spouse | Toni Redpath (2000-Present) |
Michael Mead is a professional ballroom dance champion and choreographer.
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[edit] Biography
Michael Mead, born in Croydon, England, spent his early years traveling with his family and attending schools overseas.[1] At 18, done with school and unsure of what he wished to do professionally, Michael decided to try his hand at accounting. After quickly establishing that perhaps the last thing he wished was to spend the rest of his life auditing, Michael enrolled in a teacher training class at a local dance studio, and was offered a job after only six months of dance training.
The lust for travel instilled in Michael in his early years soon took hold, ultimately leading him to California, where he opened Londance, now one of the top competitive dance studios in the U.S., in Costa Mesa, California. Though Michael sold his ownership share in 1989 in order to concentrate on the serious pursuit of a competitive dance career, he continues to teach there (and at Champion Ballroom Academy[2] in San Diego) to this day.
[edit] Dance career
Michael formed a professional partnership with Toni Redpath and developed a unique style that ultimately led them to setting a record by winning the Open Championships 4 years in a row (undefeated throughout) before retiring from competition in 2002.[3] On September 28th 2000, Toni and Michael were married on the island of Kauai, becoming partners in life as well as on the dance floor.
Currently Toni and Michael are based in San Diego and coach many of the U.S. top competitive couples, as well as judging for competitions and traveling the world doing shows.
[edit] TV and Film
Michael and Toni have made numerous appearances on TV and film. Most notable TV credits are as choreographers on FOX So You Think You Can Dance, featured dancers and champions on PBS America's Ballroom Challenge[4] and Championship Ballroom Dancing, and in the feature film Dance with Me.
[edit] Achievements
- Four Time Undefeated U.S. Ballroom Champions: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
- World DanceSport Classic Showdance Champions Finalists[5]
- National Professional Rising Star Champions: 1998
- Canadian Open American Ballroom Champions: 2000, 2001
- National Showdance Championships Runners Up: 2001
[edit] See also
- U.S. National Dancesport Champions (Professional Smooth)
- So You Think You Can Dance (US)
- Toni Redpath
[edit] References
- ^ ClassicDancers.com - The Official Site of Michael Mead and Toni Redpath - American Ballroom Champions Four-Time Undefeated
- ^ Champion Ballroom Academy - Ballroom, Latin, Salsa, Swing Dance Lessons in San Diego
- ^ News & Press :: DanceVision.com
- ^ America's Ballroom Challenge . The Competition . Season 2 . Episode One | PBS
- ^ Instructors :: Michael Mead & Toni Redpath :: DanceVision.com
[edit] External links
- Official Site: Classicdancers.com
- Michael Mead at the Internet Movie Database
- DanceSport Competitions
- Champion Ballroom Academy
- So You Think You Can Dance (Fox)
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Michael Mead |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Ballroom dance champion and choreographer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 4 June, 1956 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Croydon, England |
| DATE OF DEATH | |
| PLACE OF DEATH | |
