Michael Flatley's path to stardom proves what the human spirit can accomplish when relentless drive and determination converge with dreams. His long and arduous journey from construction worker on Chicago 's South Side to one of the world's most accomplished and innovative artists alive today is an inspiration to all who face overwhelming obstacles and challenges along the road to success.

"Everyone in the world will tell you, 'No, it can't be done.' Every time I hear that, I know I'm close to success."

Born July 16, 1958 , Michael is the second of five children. He has a brother and three sisters. His parents, Michael and Eilish, emigrated from Ireland in 1947 and settled in Chicago , Illinois , where they established a successful construction business. Michael credits his father with instilling in him the tireless work ethic and extraordinary drive that empowered him in his quest to transform dreams into reality.

"I can go back to when I was six years old. I was always getting in trouble for dreaming, and the things I got in trouble for dreaming then are the things I'm doing today."

Dance was in his blood. Though Michael was born and raised in the United States , he often visited family in Ireland . His mother and his maternal grandmother, Hannah Ryan, were both champion Irish dancers. Hannah taught Michael his first few steps at the age of four and always encouraged him to follow his heart and his dreams. Years later, when these dreams became reality, an empty front row seat at every show marked his silent tribute to the late grandmother he so adored.

"She once visited me in Chicago in an ice cold winter. At that time I was completely broke, working occasional jobs for a couple of bucks an hour, dreaming of becoming the greatest dancer in the world. It was she who encouraged me to make my life special and to dance. Two weeks later she died. The empty seat is a sign of my respect to her, for I believe she is still watching me."

Michael's parents were committed to retaining their children's Irish heritage, so at age 11 Michael was "dragged by the ears" to Irish dance class. He was sent home after being told he was too old, but Michael persisted. Not only because "there were lots of pretty girls in class," he confesses with a grin, but also because he could not let a challenge go unanswered. Surpassing his classmates in winning competitions, 17-year-old Michael became the first American to bring the title of All-World Irish Dancing Champion to the US . At the same time Michael studied traditional Irish flute and won the first of several titles as All-Ireland Flute Champion. His destiny and his dreams were beginning to merge.

"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.  

"I believe in myself, believe in everything that's positive, so I don't let any negative energy come into my life to the best of my ability -- that's the best way to carry on. There are no limitations, no rules. If you believe it, you can do it. You can do anything . . . Nothing is impossible."

Michael was adamant that Lord of the Dance was "an Irish show that had to be born out of Ireland ," and on July 2, 1996 , Lord of the Dance premiered at the Point Theatre in Dublin . Audiences and critics couldn't get enough, calling it "powerful", "fantastic", "electrifying", "spellbinding", and "an awesome sight". It was an instant success, playing to sold-out venues, receiving standing ovations, and eventually setting records all over the world. In the UK the show sold out four consecutive weeks at the Coliseum in London and set an all time record for a run of 21 shows at London 's legendary Wembley Arena. The American debut of Lord of the Dance at Radio City Music Hall sold out thirteen consecutive nights, and a stunning performance by Michael and his troupe was one of the highlights of that year's Academy Awards ceremony, watched by 2.5 billion viewers worldwide. Lord of the Dance was the top grossing live show in both the US and Australia in 1997, and the video went platinum in the United States , Australia , and the UK .

"You're out on stage, the music is blaring, the crowd is screaming, the lights are flashing, your heart is pumping, the sweat is flying, and it's the greatest feeling in the whole world."

From Dublin Michael took the show to Liverpool and Manchester , where he faced what could have been a fatal blow to the show and to his career -- a torn calf muscle. Doctors advised Michael to stay off the leg for at least six weeks, but the opening at London 's Coliseum was only four days away. Against all advice, Michael refused to give up. He had his therapist wrap the injury and danced through the pain on opening night in London .

"You can take as much as your mind can trick you into believing you can take. It proved to me that nothing could stop me. The most important thing is that you believe in yourself and keep on going."

Michael starred in his final performance of Lord of the Dance at Dublin 's RDS arena on June 28, 1998 . On July 25, 1998 , he took that artistic rendition to the next level and presented the "turbo-charged" version, the spectacular Feet of Flames , to an audience of 25,000 on the historic Route of Kings in London 's Hyde Park . A specially engineered four-tiered stage showcased over 100 dancers, new music and dance numbers, a full band and chorus, plus his spellbinding a cappella solo. As the largest seated show ever to be performed in England , it was also the biggest, most visually dazzling dance show ever staged. The Feet of Flames video, taped live that evening, went platinum the world over.

"Think of the thing that gives you goose bumps, then do it!"

After the Hyde Park show, Michael took a well-deserved hiatus from touring, but not from living his "follow your dreams" philosophy. He spent that year developing new Lord of the Dance troupes, bringing one to Disneyworld's Epcot Center in Orlando , Florida , during the summers of 1999 and 2000.

Soon Michael's adoring public demanded more, and he was persuaded to tour with a thrilling new version of Feet of Flames throughout Europe and the United States . In September 1999, Michael announced details of his new Feet of Flames 2000 World Tour in a spectacular one-off launch event by emerging from the depths of a flaming lake on the picturesque grounds of Satsvey Castle in Southern Germany .

During the summer of 2000, Michael played to over four million people in Western Europe and performed before an audience of over 100,000 in Budapest , Hungary . The last show of the European leg, a spectacular finale at Stormont in Belfast , Northern Ireland , proved that hearts united through music and dance pay no heed to historical boundaries. His most recent video release, entitled Gold, chronicles Michael's astonishing career and includes many scenes shot during the Belfast and Budapest shows.

Wherever he took Feet of Flames , Michael was met with enthusiastic audiences and standing ovations. Beginning in June of 2001, Michael brought his Feet of Flames , The Victory Tour , to 20 American cities. The highlight of the tour was the fulfillment of Michael's dream to perform at New York 's Madison Square Garden . All who were fortunate enough to get a ticket said Michael was truly at the pinnacle of his art.

"Since I was a kid, I've been a dancer, and, of course, I'll always be a dancer till the day I die."

Michael's achievements and awards are countless, including entries in the Guinness Book of World Records for tap dancing speed, highest paid dancer, and highest insurance premium placed on a dancer's legs - a mind-boggling $40,000,000. He exceeded his first tap speed record of 28 taps per second, set in 1989, by executing a phenomenal speed of 35 taps per second in 1998 at the age of 39.

"I think it is important to keep challenging yourself. That's what keeps me going."

When Michael announced his retirement from touring in June 2001, fans from all corners of the globe gathered for his final performance in Dallas , Texas on July 29, 2001 . But true to form, Michael had no intention of retiring from creating and following his dreams. Instead he plunged into his role as creative director, planning and devising new shows and future productions with which to tour the world. Working on ideas and innovations sure to capture the imagination of his global audiences, he began searching for new dancing talent to stage his creations and continue to thrill audiences worldwide.

During 2002 Michael saw Lord of the Dance continue to grow and prosper playing to audiences around the world. With one troupe resident in Las Vegas , Nevada and two international troupes on the road, the production returned to tour again in Australia , Germany , France , and across the USA . As the curtain fell on an exciting four-year residency at the New York, New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, where over 2,000,000 people saw the show, the curtain rose on a new deal.

Once again Lord of the Dance broke new ground with stunning performances in Lebanon , Ukraine , Finland , and Russia . Michael witnessed a spectacular series of sold-out performances by Troupe One at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow each night that included many Russian and international dignitaries. A few days later the show thrilled audiences in St. Petersburg and while in Russia , Michael announced his plans to establish a series of international dance academies in major cities around the world, the first of which opened in Moscow .

"It has always been my dream and ambition to introduce Irish dancing to the world."

The year finished on a high note with a phenomenal run of shows by Troupe One at Disneyland Paris.

The accolades and excitement for Michael and Lord of the Dance continued throughout 2003. In March, Michael received the prestigious Irish American of the Year Award from Irish America Magazine for his outstanding commitment and dedication to Irish dance and Irish culture worldwide and two months later he returned to the stage for the first of two very special performances.

In May, Michael and his dancers performed for 50 world leaders at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin at the 300th Anniversary Celebration of St Petersburg, Russia. A few weeks later, in August, Michael and his troupe delighted guests at the annual Red Cross Charity Ball with a one-hour special performance of Lord of the Dance where His Serene Highness Prince Albert presented Michael with a Grimaldi Dynasty Award Medal for his contribution to the world of dance.

While on Safari in Africa in September, Michael received a very special request for a meeting from the legendary Nelson Mandela where t he former president honored him as the biggest selling artist in South African history and presented him with an original numbered copy of his book, Long Walk to Freedom. Later that month, Lord of the Dance returned to London for a spectacular run of shows at the Apollo Hammersmith Theatre. After a stunning opening night performance by Troupe One, Sir Cliff Richard presented Michael with a silver salver to commemorate the achievement of $500,000,000 in Lord of the Dance ticket sales worldwide.

In October, at the Celtic Ball held at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York , Michael received an award from the Ireland Chamber of Commerce in the USA (ICCUSA) for his outstanding contribution to the Arts and Entertainment and Lord of the Dance celebrated its fifth sensational year in Las Vegas . On the evening of October 11, at an after - show celebration, Tony Award Winner Ben Vereen presented Michael with awards from the offices of both Mayor Goodman and Governor Kenny Guinn. Saturday, October 11, was proclaimed "Michael Flatley Lord of the Dance Day" in the city of Las Vegas and Clark County by Mayor Oscar Goodman, and declared "Michael Flatley Day" in the state of Nevada by Gov. Kenny Guinn.

The year 2004 proved to be another banner year for Michael and Lord of the Dance . In January, Michael was awarded an Honorary Life Membership of the University College Dublin Law Society and in February another Lord of the Dance troupe made its stunning debut in Italy and continued on to South Africa and then throughout the United Kingdom.

Michael has not only achieved his ambition of taking Irish dancing to another dimension. He continues to prove that hearts and minds united through the universal language of music and dance cross all traditional boundaries. His accomplishments were recognized by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) and May 15, 2004 he was awarded the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Each year, the NECO gives Ellis Island awards to ethnic Americans from all backgrounds who have made valuable professional and patriotic contributions. This award pays tribute to those who have preserved the distinct values and heritage of their ancestors and built bridges between people from all cultural backgrounds.

On July 9, 2005 in Budapest , Hungary Michael unveiled Celtic Tiger , his most controversial and innovative production yet. Celtic Tiger , an epic masterpiece that fuses the spirit and history of Ireland with music and dance is the fulfillment of a life-long ambition, showcasing Irish dance as a dynamic, powerful art form. Celtic Tiger premiered in the US on September 27, 2005 at Madison Square Garden where Michael and his troupe gave the audience a stunning performance that received five standing ovations and many great reviews.

Michael's unprecedented career as a creator, dancer, choreographer, and producer is proof positive of his "follow your dreams" philosophy. One of his most fulfilling achievements is paving the way for young Irish dancers to have the opportunity to make a living doing "what they love to do". His ardent resolve has opened the door for future generations and provided a viable foundation upon which they can build and showcase their talents.

Michael is committed to his art and to bringing his audiences, Òthe world's greatest dance showÓ. Through his company, Unicorn Entertainment Inc., Michael is planning many exciting new projects including movies and television.

Michael himself would say,

"Fasten your seatbelts."

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