Michael James Designs

04/04/2025

If you’re in the area, come out and dance!!

Future Independent Winterguard is proud to announce its 2025 Spin Clinic being held at New Ilberia Senior High School on May 10th.

We are excited to announce our guest clinician is Michael James!

Michael James, born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, graduated from the University of South Florida where he received a BA for Modern Dance Performance. After college, he performed in the American Stage Company’s “Shakespeare in the Park” Series for five seasons, as well as danced and choreographed for the Children’s Theater Tour.
Michael was a scholarship student at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Beckett, Massachusetts, where he studied under Linda Kent and Carolyn Adams. He also danced with The Men Dancers of Jacob’s Pillow International Touring Company, which allowed him to dance and teach in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was also a member of The Repertory Dance Theatre of Utah.
As a color guard designer and choreographer, Michael is currently designer and choreographer for Oviedo HS (SO), University of South Florida WG (2022 IO Gold medalist), Santa Clara Vanguard, Cavaliers, and Troopers. He has worked with Timber Creek HS - FL, Cypress Creek HS - FL, Seminole HS - FL, Tarpon Springs HS - FL, Sunlake HS (2019 Sch A Silver Medalist), McNeil HS, The Company Winter Colour Guard, Kennesaw Mountain HS (GA), Miamisburg HS (OH), Pope HS (GA), Center Grove HS (IN), and Northmont HS (OH). He’s also been on staff with Carolina Crown, The Cadets, Crossmen, and The Magic of Orlando.
Michael’s choreography has also been viewed at Pleasure Island with the Pleasure Island Explosion Dancers, University of Central Florida’s Starlet Knights Danceline, Oracle Performance Ensemble, University of South Florida’s Herd of Thunder and winter guard, 1999’s Orlando Fringe Festival, and numerous other high schools and colleges around the country. Participants may sign up with the link below
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf07FxK6AoA6NFBobJ_bprJBUCOgXuep9fWdf52lo2arFPSig/viewform?usp=sharing

01/15/2025

Happy Premiere Week!!

The FFCC is excited to kick off the season with an incredible lineup of experienced and dedicated clinicians at our premiere events! 🌟

We are proud to have the following professionals working with our winterguards:

• Jill Moser & Jamie Escobar-Dyer at Deland High School on January 18th
• Randy Nelson & Michael James at Lakewood Ranch High School on January 18th
• Rob Watson at our National Premiere at Oviedo High School on January 25th

These clinicians bring years of expertise, passion, and a wealth of experience to help teams grow and succeed as they start their season.

Learn more about these incredible professionals and how they can help your winterguard shine: https://ffcc.org/11081-2/

08/27/2024

❤️💚❤️💚

08/20/2024

Let’s groooowwwww!!! 🤘🏾💚💛💚💛🕺🏾

08/18/2024

So excited to share and learn!! Let’s grow!!!

08/16/2024

Boys dance too!!

07/03/2024

Let’s dance!!! 💃🏻🕺🏾❤️

05/22/2024

Come dance with us!!!

USF WG proudly presents MICHAEL JAMES 🤩 at our June 8 clinic, and JUICY KERSTEN 🤩 at our July 20 clinic! Learn about them both below ⬇️Registration is now OPEN: https://usfwgcg.squarespace.com/our-closet/p/z6id9hcy1np6m4hvn8um9anhf4yrhl

🌴June 8🌴

🤘Michael’s expertise in movement along with his motivational approach captures all participants in this 90 minute Masterclass.

🤘Michael innately can pull out the best from every dancer- no matter if they are beginner or elite level, and so learning from him is highly sought after in our Colorguard community.

🤘Michael has deep roots with USF, and they began before the guard program even existed. Michael graduated from the University of South Florida where he received a BA for Modern Dance Performance.

🤘Michael has been our main choreographer for our Colorguard with USF’s Herd of Thunder Marching Band since our program was founded in 1999. He also serves as our Winterguard program’s creative director and one of our many choreographers since its inception in 2003.

🌴JULY 20🌴

💚 Juicy brings a fresh take and brings participants to a new level with her specialty style of contemporary jazz fusion in this 90 minute dance masterclass.

💚 A dancer and choreographer from the Orlando area, Juicy was a top 24 contestant on the popular TV contest show called “So You Think You Can Dance”.

💚 Juicy’s connection with the performing arts runs deep! From the legacy of the Kersten family who has grown the marching arts throughout Florida with FMBC, Juicy also contributes locally and nationally.

💚 A former member of the UCF dance team, she has also trained in a plethora of styles such as lyrical, ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, salsa, ballroom, and modern.

💚Juicy travels to multiple conventions assisting choreographers, choreographing for high school and college dance teams across the US, and is the current coach to Orlando based Lake Mary High School dance team.

04/04/2024

03/28/2024

03/28/2024

03/07/2024

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Oviedo Open
WGI Orlando Regional 2024

These props are so pretty!! And I love the message! Well done!!