Christos Tsiantoulas is the type of dancer who’s performed somewhat little bit of the whole lot. Versatility is constructed into his character – he leads with openness and curiosity. For dancers who need their careers to span the spectrum of the trade the way in which his has, right here’s how he made it occur: say sure. To the whole lot.
Tsiantoulas’ began his profession in L.A., with an abundance of selection. He was supplied contracts with three high companies: MSA, Bloc and Go 2. He signed with Go 2, and from the sound of it, that’s the final time he thought of narrowing down his choices. Tsiantoulas has carried out on the Grammys with Unhealthy Bunny (a number of Grammy, Billboard, MTV and American Music awards). He’s been employed as skeleton crew for a touring ballet manufacturing with Jacky Cheung (Cantopop icon) and a drag present with drag queen Shangela (RuPaul’s Drag Race). He has danced for the Toronto Raptors basketball staff, toured with the trade revered PULSE dance conference, and from there was booked on the America’s Acquired Expertise dwell present in Las Vegas, amongst different motion pictures, music movies, and festivals.
Christos Tsiantoulas. Picture by Alissa Rose.
Though he was nicely appreciated on the America’s Acquired Expertise dwell present (initially employed as a hip hop dancer, then introduced on to do extra acts as a result of he was expert in a number of), he prefers the number of gig work to prolonged contracts. “I used to be so lucky to try this residency in Vegas, nevertheless it felt like a 9 to 5. To have a full-time contract, constant earnings, was reassuring. However continuously being an extension of an image the place I used to be simply one other particular person within the ensemble – I didn’t transfer to the States to be hidden.” Since then, he’s lived the gig life on hyperdrive.
Tsiantoulas danced in an upcoming Brad Pitt and George Clooney film, titled Wolves. He dances by Clooney, guaranteeing the actor was stored protected and on observe with the choreography inside all of the shifting elements of the large dance scene. Taking good care of a star with out getting in the way in which of their appearing could be a nice line to stroll; solely trusted dancers are tasked with the job.
Most not too long ago, he starred alongside singer Jordy (named Excellent Breakthrough Music Artist by GLAAD Media Awards, additionally nominated for Queerty and iHeartRadioMusic Awards) in his music video for his newest single, “Second Minute Hour,” which at time of writing is sitting fairly at 107k views on YouTube. Tsiantoulas performs a heated duet with the singer, trusted with some intimate, intense and charming choreography.
Christos Tsiantoulas with ‘America’s Acquired Expertise’ Stay Vegas present solid for Gentle Steadiness Group.
He’s additionally formally on school on the nationally esteemed Mather Dance Firm, sharing his information with the subsequent technology of dancers by means of their summer season intensive and Bridge Into The Business program, in addition to judging competitions. His strongest asset as a trainer is his blanket expertise throughout the trade, and instructing college students how you can discover alternatives wherever.
For instance, “Once I mentioned sure to David Archuleta,” (runner-up on the seventh season of American Idol, and winner of a number of Teen Alternative Awards) “about dancing for a few his LoveLoud Festivals, it result in me choreographing to his tune ‘Crush’ for some spot dates at his pageant. I put myself able the place I received to ask for what I wished.” Because the saying goes, simply ask – the worst they’ll say is not any. “Or go away you on learn,” Tsiantoulas jokes. “However even when I’m not the proper match, they’ll nonetheless see who I’m.”
Saying sure to the whole lot, embracing versatility as a core element, does include its personal distinctive drawbacks. “Since I’m attempting to perform a little little bit of the whole lot, it looks like I’m shifting somewhat bit slower,” says Tsiantoulas. “I’ve a choreo gig right here, I’m motion teaching a music artist there. I’m not with main labels but, as a result of I’m chipping away versus leaping on one factor. Dancers by no means really feel like we’re doing sufficient.” There’s no quick observe to 1 area of interest space of success, however you have got extra expertise to tug from in something that you just do. “It’s extra fulfilling. I chase emotions, experiences and those who make me really feel excited.”
He continues, “I did a ballet skeleton crew,” for a live performance tour with singer and actor Jacky Cheung. “And I’m not a ballet dancer, nevertheless it allowed me to be trustworthy with myself in that, sure, I’m coaching the whole lot, however I’ll not excel at the whole lot.” Even in a method that wasn’t his forte, Tsiantoulas knew himself nicely sufficient as an artist to see the place he would be a profit to the choreographer. “I advised the choreographer, ‘Why don’t you get someone to exchange me, and I’ll stand in because the artist?’” Doubling for Cheung, he was capable of contribute to the choreography and provides his artistic enter in a approach that was most helpful to the mission, and most fulfilling to him.
Christos Tsiantoulas. Picture by Alissa Rose.
So saying sure brings three huge advantages, whether or not or not the gig is your own home fashion. Firstly, it helps you discover what else you’re good at or would possibly take pleasure in. Secondly, it helps you discover what you’re not so good at. And third and most significantly, it helps you discover what you possibly can provide anyway.
“Possibly what I’m providing for a gig isn’t my dance means, perhaps it’s my artistic enter, or my abilities as a choreographer, or my suggestion of different artists who is likely to be proper for the job. I’ve realized that totally different folks have totally different perceptions of professionalism.” He makes the purpose that it’s onerous to be poorly perceived once you’re respecting peoples’ time, working out of a spot of encouragement, of generosity, of ‘sure.’ “Whenever you facilitate a constructive work atmosphere, that permits folks to advocate you sooner or later, or prolong additional for you, or throw your identify into rooms that you just’re not even in. ”
You possibly can comply with Christos Tsiantoulas on Instagram: @christos_tsiantoulas.
