Originally hailing from the Philippines, Michael Arichea first got the dance bug while performing in the musical “Pippin” his sophomore year at the Jakarta International School in Indonesia. That experience prompted him to study modern dance with Jeff Slayton and Clay Taliaferro (Cunningham and Limón techniques) at both Duke University and the American Dance Festival in Durham, NC. While in college, he was also cast in several dance-heavy shows, including “A Chorus Line” (Greg) and “Moby Dick! The Musical,” a Cameron Mackintosh production. Mike earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering at Duke and later went on to earn a Masters in Statistics at NCSU. Although now working as an Analyst and SAS Programmer at an accounting/trade consulting firm in downtown DC, Mike has managed to stay extensively involved with his first love of the performing arts. Mike is also a member of the Foundry UMC choir and the DCDD Capitol Pride Symphonic Band. A classically trained musician, he has often been hired to play at weddings or with various orchestras and ensembles. Mike is thrilled to expand his artistic endeavors by dancing with the talented men of the DC Cowboys.