Gary Brotherson's Experience in BYU's College of Fine Arts and Communications Continues to Influence His Work — Including His Recent Return to Dance on Social Media
Today, Gary Brotherson is known online for his energetic, joyful dance videos set to trending audios on TikTok and Instagram, but long before he was a viral sensation, he was a toddler in a pack-and-play, bouncing to the rhythm while his mother taught dance classes in their family home. That early exposure led him to Brigham Young University, where he graduated in 2002 with a degree in composite dance — a major that required him to learn ballet, jazz, tap, ballroom and folk dance.
After graduating, Brotherson’s career took a practical turn as he earned an additional degree in interior design through Ensign College’s online program. “I worked in design for about 10 years, and then decided to become a sales rep, and that's what I am currently doing,” said Brotherson. “I sell slabs of quartz and natural stone.”
Brotherson’s career and studies exemplify his attitude towards life.
“I could never decide what I wanted to do, which is kind of where I am at right now. I tell people all the time that I do not know what I am going to be when I grow up, because I do not want to grow up,” Brotherson said. “I will just keep trying it all. My career has always steered me down different paths, like my degree in composite dance. I could not decide on one, so why not just do them all?”
For a long time, dance was no longer a part of his daily life. That changed because of his daughter London.
“I do not know how many people have followed the story that London is the reason that I am on TikTok,” Brotherson said. “But anyone who has followed me from the beginning knows that it is because of sweet London.”
Before London left for her Latter-day Saint mission to Argentina, she begged him to post a TikTok of him dancing to a trending song. He finally gave in the day before she left.
“She gave me one take and hit post before I could even look at it,” Brotherson said. “That exact day, comments started flooding in. So, instead of us focusing on the fact that she was going to be gone for a year and a half, we were just laughing at all these comments.”
London told him to keep dancing while she was away, and the internet’s reaction kept him going. To help keep him dancing, his daughter Addison sent viral trends and took on the role of cameraman while his wife, Mindi, became his biggest supporter. What started as a father-daughter moment exploded into a viral phenomenon under the handle @gbrotherson, where he has since amassed millions of followers and likes.
Brotherson’s first dance video on his account, posted in 2024 and dedicated to his daughter London, gained 1.2 million likes. Since then, his 2.1 million TikTok followers have showered Brotherson with love — his most popular video gaining 23.3 million likes.
When Brotherson considered extending his platform to Instagram, his son, Preston, warned him that the platform could be ruthless. However, Brotherson found a surprisingly supportive community.
“My experience on social media has been incredible. People have been super supportive and very kind, which is not what I always had growing up,” Brotherson said. “Every once in a while, you will get a comment from someone that says something rude, but I survived junior high, so I can handle it.”
The viral success eventually brought Brotherson back to his roots in Provo.
“BYU is amazing. It has been super cool coming back here. I have had the chance to dance with Cosmo a couple of times at the football games, which has been so much fun. That is an experience I will never forget,” Brotherson said. He is even looking toward a future collaboration with the Cougarettes.
Brotherson hopes current students, especially those studying the arts, see that creative degrees have lasting value, even when careers take unexpected turns.
“Any degree in the arts will benefit you, even if you end up doing something completely different,” Brotherson said. “I sell quartz now, and I also do presentations for interior designers. My artistic background helps me present in a way that draws people in.”
For Brotherson, what started as a return to dance has become a larger reflection on the importance of the arts.
“Everything in life steers back to the arts,” Brotherson said. “Art brings people together. It communicates on a different level. You can reach people without even saying a word.”