Gary McDonald

Born: July 23
Hometown: Glasgow, United Kingdom
Current location: Fairfield, New Jersey (USA)
Current status:

Adjudicator
Instructor
Choreographer
Competition Organizer
Dance Studio Owner & Director
Emcee

Gary McDonald is a former World Professional 10 Dance Champion, the first American ever to win a World Title with partner Diana McDonald. He is a co-organizer of the Manhattan Dance Championships and Embassy Ballroom Championships, the owner of Rogers Dance Center in Fairfield, New Jersey and the studio director of Rogers Dance Center in Hackensack, New Jersey.

Contents [hide]

1. Overview
2. Television
3. Accomplishments
- 3.1 TV
4. Dance Partners
5. Entrepreneurship
6. Photo Gallery
7. Video Gallery
8. References

Overview

Gary McDonald started dancing at a very early age of 7. He established a competitive partnership in 1991 with Diana McDonald and quickly became very successful.

Gary has achieved many victories throughout his career including becoming a World Professional 10 Dance Champion, the first American ever to win a World Title. He is also a 10-time United States Professional 10 Dance Champion, a United States Professional Latin Champion, a United States Professional Ballroom Showdance Champion, a United States Professional Latin Showdance Champion and was a representative of the United States in a record 24 World Championships, both as an Amateur and Professional competitor.

Gary is the studio director of Rogers Dance Center in Hackensack, New Jersey and the owner and in house coach of Rogers Dance Center in Fairfield, New Jersey with partner Diana McDonald.

Television

Gary's movie credits include playing the role of Jennifer Lopez’s dance partner in the movie Shall We Dance. Gary was also the Head Dance Trainer for the film and personally trained Jennifer Lopez, Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon and Stanley Tucci.

He has also co-hosted DanceSport Television shows on NBC, ESPN, A&E and PBS with Suzanne Sommers, Debbie Allen and Marilu Henner and was a featured dancer for Disney’s Oscar Nominated “Enchanted” on the 2008 Academy Awards.

Accomplishments

10-time Undefeated United States 10 Dance Champion (1993-2000)
9-time United States Professional Latin Finalist (1991-1999)
3-time United States Standard Finalist (1995, 1998, 2000)
World Professional 10 Dance Champion - the first American ever to win a World Title (1997)
United States Professional Latin Champion (1997)
United States Professional Ballroom Showdance Champion
United States Professional Latin Showdance Champion
British Open Rising Star Latin Runner-Up (1994)
United States Open Rising Star Latin Champion (1992)
United States National Rising Star Standard Champion (1992)
Was a representative of the United States in a record 24 World Championships

TV

Shall We Dance

Head Dance Trainer
Jennifer Lopez’s dance partner
Personally trained Jennifer Lopez, Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon and Stanley Tucci

Co-hosted DanceSport Television shows on NBC, ESPN, A&E and PBS with Suzanne Sommers, Debbie Allen and Marilu Henner
Featured dancer for Disney’s Oscar Nominated “Enchanted” on the 2008 Academy Awards