Forgetting about the long and winding road leading to success in the entertainment industry once you reached your final destination could be very easy. But dancer/actor/model Christian Vincent, who has earned royalty status in the dance world with his Madonna credit alone, chooses to use his career as a source of inspiration for performers-in-training. Vincent serves as an instructor for LA Dance Magic convention/competition, which will be housed at the St. Louis Union Station Hyatt over the weekend.
“It’s not always an easy road,” Vincent said. “And it may sound corny, but I want to let them know that through hard work and perseverance you will achieve.”
The convention, geared towards dancers of all ages (4-adult), offers dance students to learn several elements within the field and vie for an opportunity for a scholarship by way of the final competitions.
As he teaches the students, Vincent reflects on his own career that began at competitions like the one in St. Louis.
“Going to convention was what inspired me to get into the entertainment industry,” Vincent said. “A faculty of dancers would come to my area –Janet Jackson choreographers and dancers – I learned that there was a way in the industry.”
The Ontario native took the tools that he acquired through his years of participating and fashioned a successful dance and acting career that includes an NAACP Image Award nominated role in the film Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom.
Vincent has also worked with such artists as Shakira, Ricky Martin, Chayanne, Mandy Moore, Macy Gray, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Ashanti, Prince, Gloria Estefan and Madonna — where he was dance captain for her Drowned World Tour.
Vincent’s various film credits include She’s All That, Sex Politics & Cocktails, Starsky and Hutch and Ms. Congeniality 2. His television appearances include Buffy, Disney’s Annie, Arrested Development, Baywatch, The George Lopez Show and Cold Case.
Vincent has appeared in many theatrical productions including the off-Broadway production of “Radiant Baby,” directed by George C. Wolfe and as a lead vocalist in the stage show “Generations.” He has appeared in multiple commercials and print ads for Chevrolet, Muscle and Fitness “Hers” and Verizon. Christian’s talents as a choreographer can be seen in various Target commercials.
But before he was an acclaimed and sought after dancer/actor/model, he was a student in dance workshops – which planted the seed for him with respect to the idea of him making a name for himself in the entertainment industry.
“I wanted to work in this industry, it started with my thoughts,” Vincent said. “And it has turned into this career.”
His thoughts determined his destiny and as an attempt to pay it forward, he is offering the same opportunity to think big that was provided to him. He generously lends his gifts and motivation to the next generation of entertainers via mind, body and soul.
For the past five years, Vincent has stayed connected to the dance community by offering his inspirational teaching style to the students of the Dance Magic workshops.
The weekend of activities include classes and a final competition that includes a scholarship to the Los Angeles based dance Magic.
“The thing for them to understand is we base it on their ability and positive attitude not color size shape whether we know them or not,” Vincent offered as advice to his soon to be students. “If you learn something and you have fun then you’ve won something.”
LA Dance Magic Convention and Dance Competition will be making stops at several major cities throughout the U.S. For more information about the LA Dance Magic workshop and the upcoming locations, visit http://www.ladancemagic.com/.
