Master Class with Michael Mead: Rhythm

As a young dance professional Michael Mead moved to California, where he opened Londance, one of the top competitive dance studios in the United States at that time, located in Costa Mesa. Though Michael sold his ownership share in 1989 in order to concentrate on the serious pursuit of a competitive dance career, he continued to teach there and at Mary Murphy’s Champion Ballroom Academy in San Diego.

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. Even though the couple did compete in the International Standard division, they decided to focus more on the style of American Smooth.

On September 28, 2000, Toni and Michael were married on the island of Kauai, becoming partners in life as well as on the dance floor.

Currently, the couple coaches many of the U.S. top competitive couples, as well as judge competitions and travel the world doing shows.

Along with Toni Redpath and Jonathan Roberts, Michael is one of the organizers of the San Diego Ballroom Beach Bash hosted in California.

His accomplishments includes:

• 4-time Undefeated U.S. American Smooth Champion (1999-2002)
• 4-time United States Representatives to the World Classic Showdance Championships
• World DanceSport Classic Showdance Finalist
• Challenge of Champions Open Showdance Champion (2002)
• California Open DanceSport Championships Open American Smooth Champion (2001)
• Capital DanceSport Championships Open American Smooth Champion (2001)
• Pacific DanceSport Championships Open American Smooth Champion (2001)
• 2-time Can-Am Open DanceSport Championships American Smooth Champion (2000-2001)
• National Showdance Championships Runner-Up (2001)
• 2-time Challenge of Champions Open American Smooth Champion (2000, 2002)
• 2-time Duel of the Continents Showdance Champion (2000-2001)
• Virginia Star Ball Showdance Champion (1999)
• National Professional Rising Star American Smooth Champion (1998)
• United States Open International Standard Finalist (1995)
• United States Rising Star International Standard Champion (1993)
• Former Choreographer on FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance
• 2-time PBS’s Championship Ballroom Dancing Open American Smooth Champion (Ohio Star Ball – 2000, 2001)
• Featured dancer and champion on PBS’s America’s Ballroom Challenge
• Featured in the film Dance with Me
• Former Director and Founder of Londance Dance Studio of California