Louis van Amstel

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Louis Van Amstel

Louis van Amstel, born 1972 in the Netherlands, is a professional dancer, choreographer, and a dance coach. He is a world championship dancer, and also known in American pop culture for partnering with actress Lisa Rinna in the second season of the American program Dancing with the Stars. Louis was paired with Trista Sutter in the first season; they were the first couple to be eliminated from the competition. He is currently partnered with actress Monique Coleman for the show's third season.

Louis is the coach of Dmitry Chaplin, a Latin dancer best known for being a Top 10 finalist on FOX's So You Think You Can Dance.

He attended the University of the Arts in Amsterdam, and in 1989 was partnered with the British dancer Julie Fryer.

After retiring from competition, he moved on to choreography and production. He founded the company VanDance, LLC, and directed, produced, choreographed and performed in in the Broadway show Latin Fusion.

[edit] Awards

(with partner Julie Fryer)

1990, Dutch Latin champions
- Finalists in the Blackpool "under 21" category
- German Open, bronze medal
- World Latin, bronze medal
1991, Dutch Latin champions
1994, World Amateur Latin Champion
1995, World Amateur Latin Champion
1995, European Amateur Latin Champion
1995, Amateur Grand-Slam Winners (Uk-Champions, British Champions, International Champions, European and world Champions)
Professional Cince November 1995
1996, World Professional Showdance Champion
- Professional World Latin Finalist

(with partner Karina Smirnoff)

2000, U.S. National Latin champion
2000, Can-Am Dancesport Gala-Canadian Open Professional Championships: 1st place in Open Professional International Latin Division
2000, Japan International Dancing Championships: 1st place in Professional Latin section
2000, Emerald Ball Dancesport Championships: 1st place in Open Professional Latin division