Jarvis McKinley is from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and began his dance training at the age of 6 at the Dance Place and Pine Belt Youth Ballet. McKinley’s dance education continued at the Virginia School of the Arts where he was granted a full four-year scholarship for his high school education. In addition, McKinley received a full scholarship from the National Dance Institute Dance Program in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

Under the direction of Jacques d'Amboise, McKinley was awarded a full four-year scholarship and received his (AA) Certificate in Dance at the New World School of the Arts. McKinley has trained at numerous academies and programs throughout his professional career including the Kirov Ballet Academy, Jacobs Pillow, Bates Dance Festival, and the Ailey School. 

In 2008, McKinley joined Alvin Ailey II and later became a soloist at Armitage Gone Dance in 2010. Throughout his professional career, McKinley has performed with Complexions Contemporary Ballet under the direction of Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson as well as performed works by the following choreographers: Alvin Ailey, William Forsythe, Robert Battle, Judith Jamison, Christopher L. Huggins, and Francesca Harper. McKinley’s other notable achievements include traveling and performing in the Tony Award-Winning Broadway musicals Memphis and Flashdance in collaboration with choreographer Sergio Trujillo, and dancing with some of the music industry’s best artists including Usher Raymond, Jojo, KiCi & Jojo, and The Dream. In addition, McKinley was awarded the Margaret Fonteyn Award by his Ballet Master, Petrus Boseman. 

Jarvis McKinley joined 6 o'Clock Dance Theatre in the role of Artistic Development Coach in the spring of 2022.