In this impactful and inspiring episode of Unstoppable Mindset, host Michael Hingson sits down with Ronald Cocking—performer, educator, and co-founder of the Looking Glass Studio of Performing Arts—to reflect on a remarkable life shaped by rhythm, resilience, and love.
Ron’s journey into the performing arts began at just five years old, when his passion for tap dance ignited a lifelong commitment to dance and musical theater. From his first professional role at age 15 in My Fair Lady to founding one of Southern California’s most impactful arts schools, Ron’s story is one of dedication, creativity, and community.
 
But perhaps the most moving part of Ron’s story is his 49-year partnership—both personal and professional—with the late Gloria McMillan, best known as Harriet Conklin from Our Miss Brooks. Together, they created a legacy of mentorship through the Looking Glass Studio, where they taught thousands of students across generations—not just how to act, sing, or dance, but how to live with confidence and integrity.
 
Ron also reflects on the legacy Gloria left behind, his continued involvement in the arts, and the words of wisdom that guide his life:
 
“Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

“To find happiness, take the gifts God has given you and give them away.”
 
This is more than a story of a career in the arts—it’s a touching tribute to passion, partnership, and purpose that will leave you inspired.
 
Highlights:
 
00:48 – Hear how early radio at home shaped a lifetime love for performance.
03:00 – Discover why drumming and tap both trained his ear for rhythm.
06:12 – Learn how a tough studio change led to ballet, jazz, and tumbling basics.
08:21 – See the “sing with your feet” method that makes tap click for students.
10:44 – Find out how a teen chorus role in My Fair Lady opened pro doors.
13:19 – Explore the drum-and-tap crossover he performed with Leslie Uggams.
15:39 – Learn how meeting Gloria led to a studio launched for $800.
18:58 – Get the long view on running a school for 44 years with family involved.
23:46 – Understand how Our Miss Brooks moved from radio to TV with its cast intact.
32:36 – See how 42nd Street proves the chorus can be the star.
41:51 – Hear why impact matters more than fame when students build careers.
43:16 – Learn what it takes to blend art and business without losing heart.
45:47 – Compare notes on marriage, teamwork, and communication that lasts.
48:20 – Enjoy a rare soft-shoe moment Ron and Gloria performed together.
56:38 – Take away the “teach to fish” approach that builds lifelong confidence.
 
About the Guest:
 
My father was a trumpet player, thus I heard music at home often in the early 50’s and was always impressed and entertained by the rhythms and beats of Big Band music… especially the drummers.  Each time I would see Tap dancers on TV, I was glued to the screen.  It fascinated me the way Tap dancers could create such music with their feet!
 
In 1954, at age 5, after begging my Mom and Dad to enroll me in a Tap class, my Dad walked in from work and said “Well, you’re all signed up, and your first Tap class is next Tuesday.  I was thrilled and continued studying tap and many other dance forms and performing and teaching dance for all of my life.  
 
In my mid teens, I became serious about dancing as a possible career.  After seeing my first musical, “The Pajama Game” starring Ruth Lee, I new I wanted to do musical theatre.  I got my first professional opportunity at age 15 in “My Fair Lady” for the San Bernardino Civic Light Opera Association and loved every minute of it… and would continue performing for this organization well into my 30’s
 
I met Gloria McMillan in the late 60’s while choreographing a summer musical for children.  Gloria’s daughter was doing the role of Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz”.  Then, about 3 or 4 years later I would meet Gloria again and the sparks flew.  And, yes, she was Gloria McMillan of “Our Miss Brooks” fame on both radio and television.  Wow, was I blessed to have crossed paths with her.  We shared our lives together for 49 years.
 
On November 4, 1974, Gloria and I opened a performing arts school together named “The Looking Glass Studio of Performing Arts”.  We would teach and manage the school together for 44 years until we retired on June 30, 2018.  We moved to Huntington Beach, California and spent 3 beautiful years together until she left to meet our Lord in heaven on January 19, 2022.
 
Ways to connect with Ron:
 
Lgsparon@aol.com
 
 
About the Host:
 
Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog.
 
Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children’s Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association’s 2012 Hero Dog Awards.
 
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Transcription Notes:
 
Michael Hingson ** 00:00
Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us.
 
Michael Hingson ** 01:20
Well, hi there, wherever you are and wherever you happen to be today. Welcome to unstoppable mindset. I'm your host, Mike hingson, and today we get to chat with Ron Cocking, who is Ron. Well, we're going to find out over the next hour. And Ron was married for many years to another person who is very famous, and we'll get to that, probably not as well known to what I would probably describe as the younger generation, but you're going to get to learn a lot about Ron and his late wife before we're done, and I am sure we're going to have a lot of fun doing it. So let's get to it. Ron, welcome to unstoppable mindset. We're glad you're here.
 
Ron Cocking ** 01:59
Thank you. I'm so glad to be here. Michael, this. I've been looking forward to this.
 
Michael Hingson ** 02:04
I have been as well, and we're going to have a lot of fun doing it.
 
Ron Cocking ** 02:08
Do you one note on that last name? It is cocking. Cocking, he comes right? Comes from a little townlet in the coal mining country of England called Cockington.
 
Michael Hingson ** 02:20
I don't know why I keep saying that, but yeah, cocky, no
 
02:23
problem.
 
Michael Hingson ** 02:24
Well, do you go up to the reps recreations at all?
 
Ron Cocking ** 02:28
Oh my gosh, Gloria. And I know you and Gloria, did do you still do it? I've it's on my schedule for September.
 
Michael Hingson ** 02:35
I'm gonna miss it this year. I'