Biography

THE BEGINNING ~ Bryan began dancing at a small ice cream shop close to his home called "Woodies." He remembers his first line dancing experience quite well. He says, "At first, I was conscious of how I looked on the floor because I didn't know what I was doing! I'm sure I looked silly." Shortly after Bryan's first dance lesson, they relocated the dance class to a bigger place, a place that went on to be where Bryan danced for several years. "It must have been fate for me to dance," Bryan says. He didn't plan on going back to learn dancing anymore because he was "too conscious of himself." But, because they relocated the dance class to the West Colesville Fire Station, it was closer to his home, and his parents became in charge of it. At the time, Bryan's father was treasurer of the local fire company and willing to take charge of the dance class of course, with the help of Bryan's mother. CHOREOGRAPHY ~ Throughout the years Bryan went on to choreograph many of his own dances. When he was 13, he choreographed his first line dance that got published in Country Dance Lines Magazine called "The Firehouse Boogie." Though a great victory for Bryan, the choreography didn't stop. Next Bryan went on choreographing many dances that never went anywhere, but in December of 1996, he hit the big time once again getting his dance "Santa Claus Boogie" published in Europe's own, Line Dancer Magazine, with the help of world renowned choreographer, Max Perry, and his personal business manager, and assistant Kathy Hunyadi from Max Perry Productions, Danbury, CT. After being successful two times, Bryan decided to take a break and just dance for a while, which he did, but then at Country Extravaganza in August of 1998, Bryan debuted his new dance "Unbelievable," which resulted in a standing ovation from everyone around the dance floor. A few months later when "Unbelievable" cooled down, he went on to choreograph another new dance called "Strong Enough." This was the first real dance by Bryan that was not done to a country song. This was an exciting step for Bryan. He says, "It opened a whole new life of music for me to choreograph to. It enabled me to make up dances to everything, not just country." Bryan constantly choreographs many new dances to a wide variety of music. INSTRUCTION ~ In September of 1999 Bryan attended an event in Vernon, NJ. Much to his surprise an instructor from the event had submitted his dance "Strong Enough" as a dance they were going to teach that weekend. The instructor mentioned to Bryan earlier on in the weekend about maybe having him come into the class and do a guest instruction. This made Bryan nervous yet excited. This was an important instruction for Bryan who had never instructed before, yet proved to be one of the biggest breaking points of his dance career. Bryan awoke early that next Sunday morning to prepare for his dance instruction. Finally 10:30 am came and it was time. The class started to filter in. "I was very nervous" Bryan said. "But, it was something I had to do." About 52 people squeezed into one little room to learn his dance. After the lesson everyone commended him on his instructional skills especially for his first instruction. Since that Sunday morning in September 99, Bryan has made guest appearances and instructed at "Swan Lake" a Partners 'N' Dance workshop weekend Swan Lake, NY, his local club "Touch Of Texas," Johnson City, NY, "Shadowbrook" Resort, Tunkhannock, PA, and "Diamond Jacks," Raynham, MA. COMPETITION ~ In the fall of 1999 Bryan entered as a competitor at an event titled ”Halloween in Harrisburg.” Bryan competed the dances titled ”Got to be Funky”, “Conrado Cha Cha”, and ”Cathy’s Waltz.” Although Bryan didn't have any competition it was a great learning process. Next Bryan decided to compete with his own original choreography. His first choreography competition was the Chesapeake Jubilee in Baltimore, MD, where "Dance" came in 3rd place in original choreography. Then his second choreography competition was the North East Country Dance Festival in August 2000 where Bryan's "Slick Moves" (CO-Choreographed with Amanda De Lisle) came in Second place in the Non-Country division and "Dance" came in Second in the Country division. Since then Bryan has attended many workshops/competitions such as the Music City Country Dance Challenge in Nashville, TN (September 2000). Halloween in Harrisburg in Harrisburg, PA (October 2000). Sunshine State Dance Festival in Ft. Lauderdale, FL (November 2000.) Plus many other smaller events. THANK YOU! ~ Bryan would like to thank everyone that has helped him achieve the level of dancing, competition, and instruction he is currently at today. Thanks to James Gregory, Jean Garr, Kathy Hunyadi, Max Perry, Jo Thompson, Jamie Davis, John "Dangerous," Pedro Machado, Speedo, Brian "B," and A.T. Kinson. Bryan would also like to thank all of his close friends from home Jeannine, Wanda, Mindy, Linda, Sylvia, and all the dancers at Touch Of Texas. From a far Johanna, Sarah, Dan, Amanda, Sherri, Bill, Jerry, Mikey, Staci, Jen, Stacy, Mandy, Mike, Bill, Aiden, "Slim," and I couldn't ever forget my good friend Dre. THANK YOU! Most of all Bryan would like to thank his parents for their continued support through the years. "And for helping making my dreams a reality! I Love you!" Bryan "M"