Harry McKoy

Young Achiever: Harry McKoy’s flipping around the world

CLASS ACT: Wodonga’s very own Cirque Du Soleil performer Harry McKoy is one of 12 talented locals nominated for the 2020 Norske Skog Young Achiever of the Year Award.

While some kids dream of running off to join the circus, that’s exactly what Harry McKoy has done.

The Wodonga born performer is flying the flag for Australia as the only Aussie artist in the Cirque Du Soleil show, travelling the world with artists from 24 nations.

It’s a dream come true for the 21-year-old, who joined the Flying Fruit Fly Circus when he was four-years-old.

“I was always very active as a kid so my parents thought it would be a good idea to join the circus,” McKoy said.

“Cirque Du Soleil has always been the ultimate dream for me.

“I would go to their shows whenever they visited Australia and saw them for the first time when I was just eight-years-old.

“Now to think that I’ve joined the biggest and best circus company in the world, it blows my mind.”

McKoy has visited 12 countries in the past 14 months on the road touring, with another 10 countries on his radar for the European tour this year.

Portugal has so far been his favourite destination, however, McKoy admits he misses his family, friends and dog Roy while he’s touring.

McKoy’s specialty act in the circus is the Teeterboard, a wooden board that launches him up in the air to perform acrobatic flips before landing back on the board.

He said he first learnt the discipline five years ago in circus school.

“It requires a lot of balance, timing, accuracy and power,” McKoy said.

“I was fortunate enough to continue my training in Montreal for this skill for another four months with the best coach in the world.

“My favourite thing about performing is that every night’s different, from the energy on stage to the audience and how you feel.”

McKoy’s training varies depending on how many shows are scheduled, with conditioning training five days a week.

The talented Border product said he couldn’t believe it when he found out he had been nominated for the 2020 Norske Skog Young Achiever of the Year Award.

“I’ve seen this award held for a few years now and never thought I’d have been a part of it,” McKoy said.

“It would be amazing to win and try to inspire kids growing up now.

“To show them that a kid from Wodonga made it to his dream job in the biggest circus company in the world.”

While McKoy has already turned his passion into a career, the talented youngster said there’s still more to accomplish.

“There’s a lot more I want to achieve in the circus world,” McKoy said.

“I definitely want to grow more as an artist and expand my skills.

“I love my job so much, I’ll never get bored of doing what I love.”

Source – The Border Mail, 18.01.2020