Today we’d like to introduce you to Ian Mckenzie.
Ian, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started dancing when I was 21 years old. I used to refinance homes and work at a bank. There was this lady who came in and she was a regular customer and she would tell me all the time that I was a dancer or I like dancing. They used to play music in our bank and I guess I would move around a little bit. Needless to say, she asked me for about two months every other day to come take a dance class and one day I decided to take a class. And I came back to my job the next day and told him that I’ll be working here for only one more year because I found something that I truly make me happy. I was content in life I was happy I have no problems other than every other regular problem that everyone else has and I thought I knew Joy but I didn’t until I found dance. Shortly after taking that dance class totally open my mind to a new world of joy.
I join the dance company name phunk phenomenon. There I soaked up all the information possible and really started from the BASICS. I wanted to perform on stage with a major artist with someone who was nice caring and understanding. I also wanted a career I wanted to longevity. Five years later and a lot and a lot of training I go to California. For my first audition unbeknownst to myself. My guardian angel and great friend Luam took me to an audition and told me that this is where your dreams will come true. That was on a Tuesday and my return flight back home was on a Saturday. On that Tuesday, after eight hours, I was told My dreams had finally come true and now I’m a professional dancer dancing and going on tour. After 12 years, I’ve continued to work for and perform for Lady Gaga. It has been a dream come true to find a place that fits me. And I’m beyond grateful that the universe has aligned my character and my lifestyle with someone who appreciates that as well.
Has it been a smooth road?
It’s never going to be smooth. But the journey is what makes you stronger. Not being around for friends and family is a very hard sacrifice to deal with when going for your dreams. Of course, there’s FaceTime and Skype and all these things but sometimes you just want to be around and laugh and sometimes just wanna hug and cry but you don’t have those options and you’re not there when people need you sometimes and those are the biggest hardest times for me that I’ve had to deal with.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
The basis of my company is basically to embrace all me not being an artist in the beginning and coming into this and loving art and then becoming an artist. I have a different eye and hear any ear and brain and respect towards this industry in this artistry. What I try to do is take in people and help them and guide them through the hard times confusing times and be there. One thing I’ve noticed in the industry is we are all out here fighting alone. And we forget sometimes that we’re all alone and sometimes people need people so my company is there to embrace those and let them know that you know I’m a person and you can be a human here.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I believe you can find success anywhere. I truly believe if you stay focused on what you want and keep an open mind and heart, you can be successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: Ianjmckenzie.com
- Phone: 6177921803
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Ianjmckenzie
- Facebook: Ian mckenzie
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