Michael Braithwaite among square dancers known as MICKEY lives in Augsburg, Germany.
He
started square dancing in 1980 and took his first steps in calling in
1985. In 1990 he started calling on a regular base. Soon he found
himself calling at festivals and jamborees in many European countries
and was a requested caller for clubs and classes.
In 1995 he
made the decision to become a full time caller, one of very few in
Europe. He was the first caller to call in Croatia and the first
European caller to be featured on a festival in Japan.
Today,
Mickey serves on the staff of some festivals and a ski week and calls
for about 10 clubs in southern Bavaria, mainly Munich. His special
effort is put into his project “ Square Dance for the senior generation”
an extension of the square dance activity in Europe, which was founded
by him in 1994. All together that adds up to about 300 dances per year
calling beginners lessons through C2.
Mickey as a recording
artist has made some records at sting productions and also belongs to
the staff of Unicorn Records. He is well known for his showmanship and
pleasant singing voice. He has been an active member in ECTA since 1986
and in CALLERLAB since 1993.
Mickey believes in Square Dance and Caller Education. He currently runs the Bavarian Caller School as the leading Caller Coach.
In his spare time Mickey likes to play golf.