Michael Flatley of The Lord of The Dance to appear on Dancing with the Stars

Michael Flatley, who have danced in Lord of The Dance, Celtic Tiger and Riverdance will make Rare Television dancing appearance on ABC's Dancing With The Stars next week.

Michael Flatley, the world’s greatest living dance legend, will make a rare appearance on American television when he performs on the hit ABC-TV series "Dancing With the Stars" on Tuesday, November 20 at 8:00PM (EST & PST).

American audiences are greatly anticipating getting a chance to see Flatley, along with a troupe of his acclaimed dancers, perform on the ratings hit which has taken the country by storm.

The November 20 airing with Michael Flatley will mark the semi-finals of the dance competition.

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. - Source: Michael Flatley Press Release

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