Michael began dancing during the Swing revival of the late 90's. From Lindy he soon started exploring Hustle, Argentine Tango, and ultimately Ballroom and Latin. From the start of his professional career Michael saw continued training as a teacher to be an absolute necessity, above and beyond training as an individual dancer. He studied, gaining certification with the United States Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (USISTD), and completed training in Gyrotonic to round out his understanding of body mechanics and sound usage principles.
As a dual Fellow of the ISTD in both Ballroom and Latin American Michael Choi is one of the preeminent trainers of dance teachers in America. He also served on the National Committee of the USISTD from 2012-2015 and as President in 2015. In 2017 was appointed Examiner in the Ballroom Branch (International Ballroom) and in 2019 to the American Ballroom (Smooth) and Latin American (Latin) Branches.
His competitive career has ranged from competing in Latin as an Amateur and young Professional to several successful partnerships in International Ballroom. American Smooth has enabled him to explore the breadth of his skills as a dancer and artist to a degree he wasn't able to as a Latin or Ballroom dancer, and he feels that he's found a home in this style. Michael is currently active as a professional Smooth competitor with his partner, Viktoriya Kleyman.
2019
Appointed Examiner, USISTD, American Ballroom, Latin American
Ohio Star Ball, Open Professional Smooth Semi-Finalist
Finalist, Champions Ball, Moscow, Open Professional Smooth
1st Place, Savannah Dancesport Championships, Open Professional Smooth
2017
Appointed Examiner, USISTD, Internationl Ballroom
2016
Assistant Choreographer/Partnering Consultant under Mia Michaels for the Radio City Rockettes Summer Spectacular
2015
Dancesport Series Top Teacher, 7th Place
Ohio Star Ball, Semi-Finalist, Open Professional Smooth
1st Place, Atlanta Open Dancesport Championships, Open Professional Smooth
1st Place, Indianapolis Open Dancesport Championships, Open Professional Smooth
2013
Finalist, US National Classic Showdance - Orlando, FL
2012
Top Teacher, New York Dance Festival
2011
1st Place, Florida State Dancesport Championships, Rising Star Standard
1st Place, Virginia State Dancesport Championships, Rising Star Standard
USDSC Finalist, Rising Star Standard
2009
Take The Floor, Egypt Tour
2008
Life On Mars, ABC, Episode 6, Choreographer
Hot For Manhattan, Iowa Western Community College
Guest Artist at Dance Nakagawa’s 35th Anniversary Dance Festival,Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, Japan
2007
Assistant Choreographer, The Duke Ellington Shakespearean Suite, The Kennedy Center, Washington, DC
2006
Guest Artist at Dance Studio Ishi Winter Show, Tokyo, Japan
Appearance on The Tony Danza Show
2003
Motion picture Mona Lisa Smile principal dancer
1st Place Professional Standard Imperial Star Ball Championships, NJ