Who is Louis van Amstel

For this season’s “Dancing with the Stars (Season 6),” Louis van Amstel has been paired with actress Priscilla Presley. The best Louis has ever finished is fourth place - does this couple have what it takes to win this season?

Louis was born in Amsterdam on June 23, 1972. He began his dancing in theatre school where he learned ballet, tap, and jazz. He then attended the University of the Arts in Amsterdam. He has trained under friend and mentor Dr. Ruud Vermeij.

Since 1989, Louis has most often partnered with dancer Julie Fryer. The two were brought together by Sammy Stopford and Peter Townsend and after talking to teach other on the phone; Julie decided to make the trip from Manchester, UK to The Netherlands to meet Louis.

The pair was a perfect match and soon began winning titles. In 1990, they were named the Dutch Latin champions and the 10 Dance champions. That same year, they made the final in the Under 21 category at Blackpool. They also received a bronze medal at the German Open, at the World Latin, and at the European 10 Dance. They took fourth place in the Worlds 10 Dance Championship. Both prefer Latin American dancing, as it is their passion.

In 1991, the couple repeated their Dutch Latin championship title. Louis decided to retire briefly from competition, but the two joined up again in 1994, winning the World Amateur Latin championship, a title they would repeat again in 1995. In 1995, they also won the European Amateur Latin championship and Louis and Julie were named the Amateur Grand-Slam winners (for being the UK champions, the British champions, the International champions, and the European and World champions).

At the end of 1995, Louis decided to go professional. He was the 1996 World Professional Showdance champion and a 1996 Professional World Latin finalist with fellow DWTS dancer Karina Smirnoff.

On the show, Louis partnered with Bachelorette Trish Sutter the first season (the pair was the first eliminated), actress Lisa Rinna on the second season (the pair came in fourth place), and actress Monique Coleman the third season (the pair also placed fourth). He did not compete in the fourth or fifth seasons of the show, but did work on the show as a choreographer and performer. Louis has also appeared in “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” and as a ballroom dance instructor in “All My Children.”

Louis retired from competitive dancing and now coaches. In fact, he is the coach of Dmitry Chaplin, one of the top ten finalists on “So You Think You Can Dance.” Louis founded VanDance, LLC in 2000, through which he directed, choreographed, and performed Latin Fusion on Broadway. In 2004, VanDance, LLC introduced Latin Revolution in Salt Lake City, Utah. Louis founded Visionworx Dance in 2007. Visionworx is dedicated to creating bold new dance productions and educating future dancers.

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