Biography

"I love the flute because it's the one instrument in the world where you can feel your own breath. I can feel my breath with my fingers. It's as if I'm speaking from my soul; when I'm making a note, it's the closest thing to singing to me."

Following high school graduation, Michael opened an Irish dance school. Although 300 students anxiously awaiting enrollment exceeded his expectations, Michael was not fulfilled. His calling to perform eclipsed his desire to teach. Eventually he closed the school and took his first steps toward building an unprecedented career -- the world's first internationally recognized professional Irish dancer. While supporting himself as a construction worker, he took every opportunity to dance in front of an audience. His first real break came with a call from the world famous Chieftains, a traditional Irish band. While touring with them during the 1980's, Michael used audience reaction as a barometer to gauge the impact of his ever-evolving vision of Irish dance. In his pursuit to push boundaries and recapture the passion of his heritage, Michael gradually liberated Irish dance from generations of rigidity, incorporating arm movement and heart-stopping rhythm into traditional steps. Standing ovations at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl con vince d Michael that his innovative style moved people and excited audiences.

"To tell the truth, I think I could do anything on stage, but dance happens to be my medium. It's bliss. It's what I came to this planet for."

In 1993, Michael was invited to dance at the Spirit of Mayo in Dublin , a unique festival of Irish dance and music. The audience included Irish President Mary Robinson, and Michael's brilliant performance caught the attention of the show's producers. He was subsequently commissioned to create an interval act for the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest.

Riverdance was born April 30, 1994 -- the culmination of everything Michael had been striving to perfect through all his years of touring. That seven-minute breath of fresh air simultaneously electrified thousands at the Point Theatre in Dublin and a television audience of millions. The surge of energy released by the fusion of Ireland 's history and Michael's vision propelled Irish dance into worldwide attention and made Michael Flatley a star overnight. In an effort to satisfy the international clamor for more, the original centerpiece was further developed into a full-length show. It opened to critical acclaim at Dublin 's Point Theatre in February of 1995 and continued on to a successful London run. But by October fate took a hand and Michael left the show amid great controversy.

"Life isn't about the number of times you're knocked down, it's about the number of times you get back up."

Michael's sudden, unexpected departure from Riverdance presented him with a choice that would alter the entire course of his career. He could keep the money he had earned and go home to probable anonymity, or redefine his future. His choice became apparent when just 11 days after leaving that show he began choreographing, producing, and directing his own production, Lord of the Dance -- a venture for which he risked all his personal financial resources.