‘I can get my whole body moving’
Michael Betka of Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
Dancer
Michael Betka will perform a high-energy dancing and precision light-saber routine.
He has always enjoyed music and plays the drums and keyboard, and once took Suzuki piano lessons.
“I like dancing mostly,” he said. “I like it because I can be creative, not just with my feet but with the light stick, too. I can get my whole body moving.”
“Mike gets a lot of joy out of dancing,” says his mother, Chris Betka. “He is creative and likes making up his own dances.”
Michael is also a songwriter.
“He’s a guy who likes to put his feelings down and get them out that way,” said Chris.
“Music has always been a real confidence booster for Michael,” she said. “It is one of those very natural things for him. He started when he was very small with percussion — getting out the pots and pans. And some of the electronic instruments provided really good meter.”
She described how these early experiences evolved into dancing and said Michael received a lot of praise for his performances.
“You can see that spreading to other parts of his life.”
In addition to music, Michael enjoys basketball and competed in the Summer Games in track and field.