View an interview with George at DarynKagan.com

Born in New York City on January 30, 1952, I lived with my parents  in Spanish Harlem until I was 16 years old and then we moved to Jamaica in Queens.  Mom and Dad were fighters. We didn't have much but what we had we made the best of.  What they did teach me was good values:  Work now play later, respect everyone the way you want to be respected and remember all those you meet going up the ladder of life you may meet going down—so be a gentleman to all and you will succeed,   Remember to respect yourself and you will be respected.  And  most of all— never ever give up.

I lived at home until I decided to be a dancer. I attended Julliard and made my living in the theatre for a few years, including my first off Broadway show, A Chorus Line, and touring with the Andrea True Connection. My professional accomplishments included both on and off Broadway productions before I went off on my own and started a Burlesque show that I ran in the Catskill Mountains for 15 years. During this time I was married for six years and then divorced in 1987.

 In 1988 I moved to Atlanta, Georgia and accepted a position as a dance instructor for Dance City Ballroom. On August 1, 1994 my life changed. I was a victim of a hit and run accident and my left leg was amputated below the knee.  After months of mental anguish, physical pain, and trial and error on a prosthetic leg, I was back at the studio giving dance lessons.   Due to reoccurring bone spurs,  I had to go for more surgery which left me with a shorter left  leg since the doctors had to remove 2 more inches, but I was still able to dance and continue working at the studio.    Then in 2001, the stress of dance lessons and competitions, trashed my knee and I got another bone and staph infection which meant removing my knee and bringing my leg to mid thigh. 

My last surgery was in 2006 where my left leg was left with 3 inches from the hip due to massive bone spurs and infection.  As a result of all that and trauma to the body, I lost the tips of my toes on the right foot and parts of all my fingers as well.    But you know what?    Life is like a game of poker. You play the hand that is dealt to you.  The idea is to win and I believe I am winning!