Michael is a champion dancer and musician who began his career at the age of 5. Musically, his first instrument was the button accordion, learned under the guidance of the late great Roscommon accordionist John Glynn.

In his teenage years, Michael’s self-taught instrument play-list expanded to include the violin, tin whistle, piano, drums, percussion, mandolin, harmonica, foot-base, and guitar, amongst others. A 1976 Fleadh Cheol All-Ireland Ceili Band, Lilting, and Trio Champion, he was also a multiple award winning US Fleadh Cheol Irish button accordion champion during the 1970’s as well as a violinist/drummer in the Galtymore Ceili Band under the direction of Limerick fiddle great, Martin Mulvihill.

Michael’s competitive dancing career spanned 15 years solely under the tutelage of dance master Cyril McNiff (TCRG/ADCRG), originally of Belfast. During that time, he won the North American National Championships in 1971 and 1975 as well as The Eastern Regional Championships in 1976. He also competed at The All-World Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland many times during the 1970’s. Michael earned his Irish Dancing Teachers Degree (TCRG) in 1984 and his Adjudicator’s Certificate (ADCRG) in 2006 from An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha.

His CD credits to date are “The Official List”, released in 2000 and “The Official List II” released in 2002. Michael’s latest recording “The Whispering Door” is scheduled for release in early 2009. This new double CD will feature many of his latest original compositions, with music ideally suited for Irish Step Dancers of all levels.