My career began at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Kalamazoo. I taught ballroom dancing there for four years until the studio closed. Five months later I opened my own studio and have taught and operated it for 41 years.
I have received my training from various professionals and champions, including Brian and Amy O’Day from Indiana, Louis Soma from Grand Ledge, Clive Phillips and Karen McDonald, Nine time World Dance Champion, Mark Brock, a 14 time United States Pro AM Champion and Judge. As well as, Barry Douglas from Michigan, and Terry Worrall, 3 Time Undefeated US American Style Smooth Champion, 3 Time Triple Crown Champion, 3 Time Ohio Star Ball Champion, 2 Time Top 9 Dance American Style, Championship Adjudicator, Coach, Choreographer, and Judge.
Continuing education with coaching is very important to all dancers who want to keep up with all the changes and styles.
My studio frequently puts on Showcase that include performances by students and instructors. We have also attended and participated in competitions. The Great Race Competition at Notre Dame and The Indiana Challenge are competitions myself and students have competed in.
It is important to me to be involved in the community. That is why I have taught lesson and performed in senior citizen homes, taught Girl Scouts for their merit badges, and spent time with home school children, teaching them Ballroom Dancing, mentored students from Mattawan for two years, and donated time and dances at The Festival of Trees and High School Grad Bashes.
Teaching others to dance and watching them enjoy dancing, has been a great reward to me.
Mikayla is a student instructor at Sharon's Dance Studio working towards a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences at KVCC and WMU. She has been dancing since she was two years old. Her dance journey began at Excel Dance Centre where she trained for 16 years in a variety of styles including ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, and contemporary. Mikayla also participates in several fine arts programs throughout Kalamazoo including the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre and Cantanti Community Choir. She is so excited to enter the world of ballroom dance as an instructor!
Becky Michalak has been dancing for 4 years. She is training to be a dance instructor at Sharon’s Dance Studio.
