Today we’d like to introduce you to Lo MCKINNEY.
Hi Lo, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started dancing ballet when I was about six years old. I was raised by my grandmother alongside several siblings and cousins under one roof, so she wanted to keep us busy lol and dance became my outlet.
I fell in love with it immediately. I would use my cousins as guinea pigs, teaching them routines and performing for my family every chance I got. Before long, I was organizing local performances, and talent shows throughout grade school and continued dancing until I relocated for college.
After graduating, I moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where I resumed my dance training under several incredibly talented choreographers. It was there that I became more involved in the creative and production side of dance. I’ve been fortunate to perform on major stages alongside well-known artists and build meaningful connections throughout the community.
Today, I teach women of all ages and experience levels, using dance as a tool for self-expression, confidence, and personal empowerment. Watching my students grow both on and off the dance floor has become one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all haha. Dance is an incredibly competitive sport. Not only is it demanding on your physical, but mental as well. Like many artists, I’ve faced financial challenges, self-doubt, and periods where I had to step away from dance to focus on other responsibilities. There were times when I questioned whether I was on the right path, especially when opportunities didn’t come as quickly as I had hoped.
One of the biggest challenges was learning to believe in myself and continue showing up, even when I didn’t have all the resources, connections, or support that others seemed to have. Building confidence as a performer, instructor has been a journey in itself. I battled health/physical challenges that made it that much harder to keep up in such an intense sport & sometimes forced me to step away when I had no choice.
I’ve also had to learn how to balance my passion for dance with the realities of adulthood, work, and personal responsibilities. But those experiences have shaped me into a stronger and more empathetic teacher. They allow me to connect with my students on a deeper level because I understand what it feels like to overcome obstacles and keep pursuing something you love.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change the challenges. They taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of remembering why I love & started dancing in the first place.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I currently work in IT for a healthcare company, a very different world from dance, for sure! I love working in technology because it challenges me to keep learning and growing. The industry is constantly evolving, which means there’s always a new skill to develop, a problem to solve, or an innovation to explore.
One of the things I’m most proud of is building a career in a field that requires both technical expertise and adaptability. Being able to support the technology that helps healthcare professionals do their jobs effectively gives me a strong sense of purpose. I enjoy knowing that the work I do behind the scenes helps keep people connected, productive, and supported.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck has played a role in my journey, both good and bad. I’ve been fortunate to meet incredible mentors, choreographers, and supporters who saw potential in me and helped open doors along the way. Some of my most meaningful opportunities came from being prepared when those moments arrived.
At the same time, my path hasn’t been without challenges. I’ve faced financial obstacles, personal setbacks, and health issues that at times forced me to slow down, regroup, and reassess my priorities. There were moments when pursuing my goals felt overwhelming, but those experiences taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of giving myself grace while continuing to move forward.
Rather than letting those challenges define me, I’ve learned to adapt and keep going. I believe luck may create opportunities, but ultimately doing the hard work and remembering my “why” is what kept me going.
Pricing:
- private dance lessons 65$ hour
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Lovedelo
