ABOUT MICHAEL

Michael "Mikey" Prine stumbled into the Irish dance world as a senior in high school.  While this is a much later start than most, Michael really took to the dance and quickly moved through the ranks with the help of his teachers, Liam Harney, A.D.C.R.G. and Michelle Malone-Chiles, T.C.R.G.

A fierce competitor, Michael stood on the podium in each of his Oireachtas appearances and placed as high as 3rd place at the North American Championships. The highlight of Michael's dancing career was competing at the World Championships in Belfast, placing 16th in the Senior Mens 20&Over competition.

Michael's love for Irish dance and music has given him the opportunity to perform with some of his favorite Irish bands. This includes such greats as the Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, Natalie MacMaster, Lunasa, Derek Warfield of the Wolfe Tones, and six time Grammy winners, The Chieftains.

Michael's enthusiasm for his Irish culture extends far beyond just step dancing. Michael is one of the premier sean-nós (old style) dancers on the West Coast, studying and performing with the great Ben Power of Liverpool, England. Michael co-founded the first San Diego branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, where he teaches sean-nós dance and is the branches first Cathaoirleach (Chairman), and recently began an Irish Dance history project through correspondence with world reknowned Irish Dance Historian and former An Coimisiún president, Dr. John Cullinane, A.D.C.R.G.

In 2013, Michael married his best friend and love of his life, Kaitlin Lyons, and in 2014 welcomed their first bundle of joy, baby Aoife. December 2016 brought their second bundle of joy, Ewan, ensuring a championship Tiny Tots Two-Hand sometime in 2020!