
LOUIS A. McKAY could be best described as the original "Cinderella Man" of dance. It is the story of how a man with fewer than three "formal" dance lessons performed with the entertainment's best, featured on television talk shows of the time (including Johnny Carson Show, The Mike Douglas Show, the John Davidson Show, Sonny and Cher Show) and grew into an international award-winning choreographer and master instructor. Best known for his jazz and tap choreography, he is the son of an opera tenor father and a Julliard-trained vocalist mother. Louis began singing at the age of six in local San Diego venues such as the San Diego Opera Company and the Starlight Theater. At the age of 20 he found himself in Hollywood chasing a dream. Within days of arriving in Hollywood, he landed an agent with the second largest talent agency of the time, the Cunningham Agency, and was taking one of three lessons at the famed Al Gilbert Tap Studio with one of tap's best, Pat Rico. He also had attracted the attention of one of Hollywood's legends, Debbie Reynolds.
The June 4, 1976 San Diego Evening Tribune reported the story best, "Wrong Way McKay, Right Now." The story describes how a misunderstanding in direction limited knowledge of his new Hollywood neighborhood and the recognition of perseverance by a gracious Debbie Reynolds and staff landed Louis his first and life- changing job as a member of Debbie Reynold's coveted all-male dance troupe.
"Being in front of an audience is a turn-on for me," McKay said. "Whether being in front of an audience or a classroom, I never tire of it. I love the energy it creates."
Louis has dedicated the past 25 years to teaching his craft to others. "I teach to each student's individual's skill level and understanding of movement. I don't believe in two left feet. If you can walk, you can dance. That's what I try to bring to each of my classrooms and instill that same philosophy with all of my new up-and-coming jazz and tap instructors and students."
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