Michael Petr
| Michael Petr | |
|---|---|
| Born |
25th of January Prague, Czech Republic |
| Occupation |
Ballroom Dancer Choreographer Dancesport Coach |
Michael Petr is a Professional Ballroom dancer, choreographer and teacher. He was a finalist in the European 10 Dance, Latin Showdance, and World Mambo Championships. He has appeared numerous times on TV, and is best known for being a celebrity partner and professional dancer on the reality TV series "Dancing with the Stars" in the Czech Republic and appeared on the Dance TV Show "So You Think You Can Dance" in the United States. In 2015 he was awarded Top 10 Dance Teacher in World Championship Pro/Am Dancesport Series, which each year consist of 90 professional dance competitions and has over 2000 teachers compete in it.
In Summer of 2010 he created and directs a competitive ballroom dance team "Michael Petr Dance", which competes on the World Dancesport Series tour. In 2015 one of his students won World Pro/Am Smooth Bronze Championship in Ohio and another student placed 3rd. Michael Petr is one of the most recognized and sought after Pro/Am teachers in the US and in the World.
Early life
Michael Petr was born in Prague, Czech Republic. His father was a musician and mother competitive track and field runner. Since age of 4 he was trained to become professional tennis player and attended elementary and middle school for gifted children in sports. At the age of 12 he was inspired by American actor and dancer "Patrick Swayze" who starred in blockbuster hit "Dirty Dancing". Soon after he quit playing tennis and began Ballroom Dancing career. At the age of 13, he went to his first World Ballroom Dancing Championship and placed in the Semi-Finals.
Dance Training
Michael Petr was trained in Germany by World Latin Champions Ralf and Olga Muller and Karl Breuer. He attended Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance in New York City. In his early twenties he was also studying with former World Latin champion Louis Van Amstel, who choreographed two of his successful dance shows.