We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Christos Tsiantoulas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Christos, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I think that this is a really great question. Yes I am happy, but I would rather use the term fulfilled. I believe that the creative/entertainment industry is not designed for everyone, nor is everyone built for it. It allows me to feel the “highs” so euphorically, and “lows” so intensely. Essentially, when your love and passion becomes your career it can feel similar to a double-edged sword at times.

That being said, I have always been a dreamer and an advocate for following your dream, no matter how grand, ridiculous, or out of reach it may feel. The fact that I am in the middle of mine truly has been a testament to myself because I have continuously chased whatever makes me happy and I would not want it any other way.

I feel that if I worked a regular job, I would be wondering about everything I let myself miss out on because I did not believe it was possible, and that feeling of emptiness would eat me alive more than the “starving artist” lifestyle that we stereotype more than we should. We’ are creatives, we always find a way….

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a Professional Dancer, Choreographer, and Creative Director from Toronto, but currently residing in Los Angeles.

I was always dancing around the barns of the turkey farm I grew up on, my house, learning off of youtube videos, and coming up with my own routines. It all came so natural to me. It was always a hobby of mine, but it was not until my last year of high school that I realized it was part of my purpose, As a creative, I feel most alive when I am dancing, but most aligned when I am creating and directing; hence why I am attempting to pursue it all.

I think my passion sets me a part from others. That is what I strive to lead with, always. Especially with losing my mom at a young age, I feel that life is way too short to not jump in the deep end and risk it all trying to do what you love. Moving myself to Los Angeles to further my career as a professional truly did shake me to my core, but it has built me into the courageous individual that I am today.

Some of my credits thus far include: Bad Bunny, the Grammys, America’s Got Talent LIVE Las Vegas, Disney Zombies 3, Sneakerella, Grand Army, The Boys Season 3, Toronto Raptors Northside Crew, and I am the Choreographer and Movement Coach for rising Canadian artist Aja. In addition, I continue to work alongside and assist some of the most sought out working professionals in the industry today.

CAMP CHRI$TOS and ARTGAZM are basically my creative children, and they are what I am most proud of.

CAMP CHRI$TOS is a dance-based bootcamp where I pass along the knowledge that I have accumulated over my years as a working professional in the industry at an international level. The information I preach in these workshops is what has worked for me. It is not the only approach, nor the only way it can be done. I encourage my students to absorb the information, learn from other as well, and apply all of it to their own individual journey.

ARTGAZM is a brand that I am continuously growing. It started as a series of visuals that showcased iconic Toronto artists and creatives whilst putting movement, fashion, and sex appeal at the forefront. I draw much of my inspiration from creatives before me, fashion brands, and pop culture. Now, it has started to expand with the element of a live audience in which I aim to take viewers through an experience where they can see flavour with their eyes. I am really excited to keep growing ARTGAZM and cannot wait for it to bloom into all that it is meant to be.

The main thing I want people to know about me is that I am the best at being me, and you are the best at being you. I also believe that doubting ourselves is important because it forces us to turn inwards and acknowledge all that we are, and remind ourselves that no one can take away our pride.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

In my opinion, society can treat and support local artists, creatives, and a thriving creative ecosystem by treating their peers how they treat well-established brands and celebrities. By this I mean, do not as your friends for discounts, do not ask your friends to “hook you up”, do not ask them to minimize their value, or the value of their product because you know them.

How can we expect each other to flourish in the same or an even greater capacity when we are always trying to not invest? If you do not have the financial means to support, there are plenty of other ways that you can help them continue to grow. In terms of social media, share their content, engage with it, connect them with other creatives you may know, speak their names into rooms that you feel they may prosper in.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is leaving people with a feeling. We may not always remember what someone said to us, but we will always remember the way someone made us feel.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @christos_tsiantoulas
• Other: Contact: [email protected]

Image Credits
Profile Photo: Alissa Rose Grey Background Photos: Alissa Rose (with leather jacket/spiked sunglasses) Group Photos all by Amanda Ciccoritti (Green): from ARTGAZM LIVE photographed female Caitlyn Gillespie Blurryish one is from CAMP CHRI$TOS