Mike Baris is a lifelong social dancer and vintage dance enthusiast. His early childhood mentor was Bob Barber, a veteran member of the Harry James Orchestra. Mike started his dance training at age 11, when Bob was 84.
As a teen, Mike continued his dance training under Anne Delmar, director of the Providence Fred Astaire Dance Studio. His ambition for dancing was interrupted in 1999, when he enlisted in the United States Navy. While on active duty, he trained at the International Dance Studio in Virginia Beach under Melinda Spencer.
After his enlistment, he relocated to Washington, D.C., to train under Ron Bennett, Nick Short, and Heidi Unkle. He began dancing professionally at events across the country. Mike is the producer of the historical dance series, Footnotes.
Mike has worked extensively to preserve dance history from the golden age of television with the help of his longtime mentor, Pat Traymore. Mike gives credit to Pat Traymore as being his most influential dance coach, as she was the last living dancer to have trained under both Irene Castle and Arthur Murray.
He is a certified dance instructor with the North American Dance Teacher's Association. He continues his dance training at studios in Washington DC, NYC, and London.
Professional Awards:
2006: Finalist, Future Champions Division with Daria Zotova
2007: Rising Star finalist with Dara Zotova
2008: Winner, Future Champions Ballroom Division with Roxi Holloway,
2009-2012 - Finalist Professional Rhythm with Shealyn Jae
2014: Top Teacher, The New York Dance Festival
2013-2015: Rising Star Smooth finalist at with Rebecca Gentry
2012: 14th place, Dancesport Series Leaderboard,
2014: 10th Place, Dancesport Series Leaderboard
2014, Top Teacher, New York Dance Festival
2017-2020 - Rising Star Smooth finalist with Kat Pollinger
Pro/Am Awards:
2015 - Finalist, World Pro/Am Dancesport Championships with Erica DeJoannis.
With Sophia D'Angelo, 4 National Pro/Am titles at the United States Dancesport Championships 2009-2013. Finalist, World Pro/Am Dancesport Championships, at the Ohio Star Ball, 2011,2012, and 2013.
