About Us
It is important to know some of the background of anyone you choose as your dance
teacher. Here is a little information about us, so that you can get to know us better. We
both love teaching other people to couple's dance. Teaching inspires both of us to continue
to reach our goals. We are so excited to not only be able to work together everyday, but to
also share our life's passion, couple's dancing, with all of you!
teacher. Here is a little information about us, so that you can get to know us better. We
both love teaching other people to couple's dance. Teaching inspires both of us to continue
to reach our goals. We are so excited to not only be able to work together everyday, but to
also share our life's passion, couple's dancing, with all of you!
Michelle
In 1978, Michelle began her performing career at the age of eight. In
1987, her life’s passion became apparent. Michelle found Couple’s
Dancing. Beginning in a Community School program, with her dad
as her partner, she quickly sped through those class levels, and wanted
something more out of Couple’s Dancing ... COMPETITION! In
August of 1988, after graduating from High School with honors, she
ventured north to Seattle, Washington. It was there she began
dancing and competing “Pro/Am” in Ballroom and Rhythm styles of
Couple’s Dance, with her instructor, Rick Pride. She commuted the
eight hour round trip almost every weekend for two years. In
September of 1990, her Pro/Am career culminated in winning the
United States Championship in Pro/Am American Rhythm. She
went on to compete with an amateur partner in International Latin
for one year, and then with a different amateur partner, she competed
in Country Western Couple’s Dancing for two years. In 1993, she
became a professional dance instructor. Immediately after turning
Pro, she danced with a professional partner in Latin for a year and a
half. Once Michelle became a professional dance instructor, she was
in high demand as a teacher, as well as a Pro/Am partner for
numerous students who wanted to compete. With her competitive
students, she has traveled throughout the United States with both
Country Western and Ballroom styles of Dance-Sport Competitions.
1987, her life’s passion became apparent. Michelle found Couple’s
Dancing. Beginning in a Community School program, with her dad
as her partner, she quickly sped through those class levels, and wanted
something more out of Couple’s Dancing ... COMPETITION! In
August of 1988, after graduating from High School with honors, she
ventured north to Seattle, Washington. It was there she began
dancing and competing “Pro/Am” in Ballroom and Rhythm styles of
Couple’s Dance, with her instructor, Rick Pride. She commuted the
eight hour round trip almost every weekend for two years. In
September of 1990, her Pro/Am career culminated in winning the
United States Championship in Pro/Am American Rhythm. She
went on to compete with an amateur partner in International Latin
for one year, and then with a different amateur partner, she competed
in Country Western Couple’s Dancing for two years. In 1993, she
became a professional dance instructor. Immediately after turning
Pro, she danced with a professional partner in Latin for a year and a
half. Once Michelle became a professional dance instructor, she was
in high demand as a teacher, as well as a Pro/Am partner for
numerous students who wanted to compete. With her competitive
students, she has traveled throughout the United States with both
Country Western and Ballroom styles of Dance-Sport Competitions.
Chris
Chris’ first exposure to dance was in 1992. A local restaurant offered an all-you-can-eat
buffet for only $5.00; that price included a free pass to the nightly dance lesson. As a non-
dancing bachelor, the food was good, the price was great, the dancing…well, he could live
without it. One night however, Chris was dragged onto the dance floor for the lesson, and
from that moment on, he was hooked.
Chris and Michelle met in the fall of 1993. Michelle was teaching a weekly dance lesson at
a local dance club, and Chris was a regular at that same club. Soon after, Chris began taking
private dance lessons from Michelle, and competed with her for the first time in July of
1994. For the next ten and a half years, Chris trained and competed with Michelle in
Pro/Am divisions at Country Western and Ballroom dance competitions all across the
country. Culminating in a
Pro-Am World's Championship in 2003.
Chris has been a professional dance instructor since May 2004, and thoroughly enjoys
sharing the joy of couple’s dancing with others. He also has a large number of competitive
students vying for his time, with whom he dances Pro/Am at various competitions around
the United States. Now he realizes and appreciates the hard work and dedication it takes to
be a Couple’s Dance instructor.
buffet for only $5.00; that price included a free pass to the nightly dance lesson. As a non-
dancing bachelor, the food was good, the price was great, the dancing…well, he could live
without it. One night however, Chris was dragged onto the dance floor for the lesson, and
from that moment on, he was hooked.
Chris and Michelle met in the fall of 1993. Michelle was teaching a weekly dance lesson at
a local dance club, and Chris was a regular at that same club. Soon after, Chris began taking
private dance lessons from Michelle, and competed with her for the first time in July of
1994. For the next ten and a half years, Chris trained and competed with Michelle in
Pro/Am divisions at Country Western and Ballroom dance competitions all across the
country. Culminating in a
Pro-Am World's Championship in 2003.
Chris has been a professional dance instructor since May 2004, and thoroughly enjoys
sharing the joy of couple’s dancing with others. He also has a large number of competitive
students vying for his time, with whom he dances Pro/Am at various competitions around
the United States. Now he realizes and appreciates the hard work and dedication it takes to
be a Couple’s Dance instructor.
1993
2003
Portland Dance Festival
Division II Over-All
Champion
Division II Over-All
Champion
World’s Champion
Pro-Pro Classic
Pro-Pro Classic
United States Ballroom
Championships Pro/Am
American Rhythm
Champion
Championships Pro/Am
American Rhythm
Champion
Bio Details: Michelle
Renaissance Ballroom Dance Studios
They knew from their first meeting that there was a special bond
between them. As time went on, that bond grew into a deep and
wonderful friendship, from which a beautiful and lasting love
blossomed. In April 2004, they became husband and wife. It was
a long courtship, and they have weathered many storms together,
however, they have survived them all steadfast and sturdy in their
love for each other.
Chris & Michelle currently compete together in Country Western
Couple’s Dancing. They love to perform and compete together,
and to help other people understand why Couples Dancing is not
only a joyful experience, but also a wonderful way to
communicate with another human being.
They both value learning, and realize how important and
necessary it is to continue their own dance education and
training. They have, and do, take coaching on a regular basis.
Some of their coaches are; Alexandria Hawkins, Mazem Hamza,
Gary & Lisa McIntyre, Mario Robau Jr., Ron Montez, Buddy
Schwimmer (the dad of the "So You Think You Can Dance
winner), Tony Meredith & Melanie LePatin, Melissa Taylor,
Maxwell Ho, Chris & Denese Morris, and many others.
Chris & Michelle have a unique teaching style. They have a
"down to earth" sense of humor, and emphasize that hard work
can be fun. They encourage students to move at the pace that
they are comfortable with, and do not rush students into classes
or levels that they are not ready for. On the other hand, they do
not hold students back from where they can go. In essence, they
are able to get the best from their students.
between them. As time went on, that bond grew into a deep and
wonderful friendship, from which a beautiful and lasting love
blossomed. In April 2004, they became husband and wife. It was
a long courtship, and they have weathered many storms together,
however, they have survived them all steadfast and sturdy in their
love for each other.
Chris & Michelle currently compete together in Country Western
Couple’s Dancing. They love to perform and compete together,
and to help other people understand why Couples Dancing is not
only a joyful experience, but also a wonderful way to
communicate with another human being.
They both value learning, and realize how important and
necessary it is to continue their own dance education and
training. They have, and do, take coaching on a regular basis.
Some of their coaches are; Alexandria Hawkins, Mazem Hamza,
Gary & Lisa McIntyre, Mario Robau Jr., Ron Montez, Buddy
Schwimmer (the dad of the "So You Think You Can Dance
winner), Tony Meredith & Melanie LePatin, Melissa Taylor,
Maxwell Ho, Chris & Denese Morris, and many others.
Chris & Michelle have a unique teaching style. They have a
"down to earth" sense of humor, and emphasize that hard work
can be fun. They encourage students to move at the pace that
they are comfortable with, and do not rush students into classes
or levels that they are not ready for. On the other hand, they do
not hold students back from where they can go. In essence, they
are able to get the best from their students.
Chris & Michelle
2004
World’s Champion
Pro-Pro Classic
Pro-Pro Classic
Bio Details: Chris
World’s Champion
Pro/Am Spotlight
Pro/Am Spotlight
Bio Details:
Chris & Michelle
Chris & Michelle
Arizona Dance Fiesta
1st Place Over-All
Crystal I Division
1st Place Over-All
Crystal I Division
South Bay Dance Fling
2nd Place Over-All
Crystal I Division
2nd Place Over-All
Crystal I Division
2004
2004
2004
2005
World’s Champions
Crystal I Division
Crystal I Division
Fancy Feet Dance Club vs. Renaissance Ballroom Dance Studios...
Why the name change?
Well, let’s start with the history…
Twenty years ago, September 1987, Michelle began taking Ballroom dancing lessons, in the
fall of her senior year in high school. She took them once per week with her dad, Henry,
through the Gladstone Community School Program. Soon after starting group classes,
Michelle knew that she wanted MORE out of this fabulous dance form. From August of
1988 – September of 1990, she, and her parents, commuted to Seattle, WA every weekend
for lessons with Rick Pride, with whom Michelle was dancing Pro-Am American Rhythm.
In September of 1990, the weeks of commuting, and the hundreds of hours of lessons and
practice paid off, when Michelle, and Rick, won the title of National Pro-Am American
Rhythm Champions!
It was during the competition season of 1990 that Michelle became known as “Fancy
Feet”. Coaches and judges alike bequeathed that “title” on her. When Michelle became a
professional dance instructor in 1993, it was the natural choice that the name of her
business would be “Fancy Feet”.
Chris & Michelle were married in April 2004, and Chris became a dance instructor in May
of that year. Even though many things changed, “Fancy Feet” the business remained. The
business has grown by leaps and bounds from those first tentative steps in 1993, and it has
been an incredible journey, but now, it is a journey together.
Just as they were first partners in dance, and 10 years later, became partners in life,
Chris & Michelle have decided that it is time to reinvent the entity that is their shared
passion… dance!
During that era long ago, “Renaissance” meant learning, enlightenment, and good things
to come. That is exactly what Chris & Michelle bring to the dance community! The
changing of the name is the public acknowledgement of their shared commitment to one
another, their current and future students, and the dance community as a whole, to
continually strive to keep Ballroom dancing fresh, new and exciting.
"We've chosen a name that suits who we are as a couple, and what we have done in the
renovation and remodeling of the ballroom. Come dance with us in this new era."
Renaissance Ballroom Dance Studios
Why the name change?
Well, let’s start with the history…
Twenty years ago, September 1987, Michelle began taking Ballroom dancing lessons, in the
fall of her senior year in high school. She took them once per week with her dad, Henry,
through the Gladstone Community School Program. Soon after starting group classes,
Michelle knew that she wanted MORE out of this fabulous dance form. From August of
1988 – September of 1990, she, and her parents, commuted to Seattle, WA every weekend
for lessons with Rick Pride, with whom Michelle was dancing Pro-Am American Rhythm.
In September of 1990, the weeks of commuting, and the hundreds of hours of lessons and
practice paid off, when Michelle, and Rick, won the title of National Pro-Am American
Rhythm Champions!
It was during the competition season of 1990 that Michelle became known as “Fancy
Feet”. Coaches and judges alike bequeathed that “title” on her. When Michelle became a
professional dance instructor in 1993, it was the natural choice that the name of her
business would be “Fancy Feet”.
Chris & Michelle were married in April 2004, and Chris became a dance instructor in May
of that year. Even though many things changed, “Fancy Feet” the business remained. The
business has grown by leaps and bounds from those first tentative steps in 1993, and it has
been an incredible journey, but now, it is a journey together.
Just as they were first partners in dance, and 10 years later, became partners in life,
Chris & Michelle have decided that it is time to reinvent the entity that is their shared
passion… dance!
During that era long ago, “Renaissance” meant learning, enlightenment, and good things
to come. That is exactly what Chris & Michelle bring to the dance community! The
changing of the name is the public acknowledgement of their shared commitment to one
another, their current and future students, and the dance community as a whole, to
continually strive to keep Ballroom dancing fresh, new and exciting.
"We've chosen a name that suits who we are as a couple, and what we have done in the
renovation and remodeling of the ballroom. Come dance with us in this new era."
Renaissance Ballroom Dance Studios
1990
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