BIO


Emmy nominated choreographer, international world champion and consummate professional, Louis has devoted his life towards perfecting his craft. Louis first began his ballroom Dancesport career training in a theatre school where he gained a background in ballet, tap, and jazz while simultaneously engaging in rigorous competitions. Upon graduating, Louis attended the University of the Arts in Amsterdam to further strengthen his skills in the classical dances and theory.

Training under life-long dance/acting coach, friend and mentor Dr. Ruud Vermeij, Louis is a student of Laban choreology, and is well versed in human movement dynamics.

During his competitive ballroom Dancesport career, Louis has amassed a staggering number of accolades including:
  • 7 Time Dutch National Amateur Champion
  • European Amateur Latin Champion (’95)
  • World Amateur Latin Champion (’94, ’95)
  • Grand Slam Professional Latin Champion (’95)
  • World Professional Showdance Champion (’96)
  • Professional World Latin Finalist (’96)
Upon immigrating to the United States, Louis became the U.S. National Latin Champion in 2000 and founded VanDance, LLC. Through VanDance Louis directed, choreographed and performed in Latin Fusion, a feature production on Broadway at City Center in New York City. The success of Latin Fusion was quickly followed up with a second creative effort in 2004, Latin Revolution, which debuted in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In addition to his work with performance theatre, Louis is constantly sought out for independent performances and maintains a busy instructional calendar. Louis currently coaches and delivers master classes for championship level Dancesport competitors and has served as a creative consultant to ice dance couples.

In 2007, Louis founded Visionworx Dance; a company dedicated towards the creation of bold new dance productions and the education of future dancers of all genres.

Louis has been in the world of Dancesport for nearly two decades now. During that time, Louis has made numerous television appearances such as winning the National Talent competition in 1992 and 1993 which was televised on channel RTL4.

Most recently, Louis has been featured prominently in seasons 1-3 of Dancing with the Stars; a show that has that has become a pop culture phenomenon in both the US and abroad. Louis has also recently appeared in guest roles on several hit TV shows most notably The Suite Life With Zack and Cody (Alexander the Great) and All My Children (Himself).

In addition to his skills as an accomplished dancer, Louis has also had noted experience in both modeling and musical performance.

To this day, Louis continues to feed off the passion for his craft and remains one of the prominent revolutionary proponents in the art of Dancesport today.