"He's just a non-non-non-traditional student," she said. "I mean, I can't even keep up with these girls at my age, and I have a professional dance background."

The department had to tweak the curriculum a little to fit his needs, but Strunk, who's had Morrow in class, said he is improving at an unprecedented rate.

"Michael's just not afraid to try anything," she said. "He just jumps right in. He doesn't care if he look ridiculous. And, you know what? By the end of class he's usually got the jive of it."

If Morrow doesn't have a movement down by the end of class, though, he doesn't let it get him down. It took Morrow almost 20 years to master his favorite move — a graceful arm swirl reminiscent of swaying seaweed. And he practices all the time. Literally. He practices while he's watching television, while his relaxing in the hot tub and while he's waiting for the bus.

"What's discouraging?" he said. "I've never been anything like that in my life. I don't even know what that means."

---

E-mail: estuart@desnews.com