Being the center of multicultural talents that it is, New York City has recently embraced one of its newest, youngest and most talented arrivals yet to grace the theater stages and dance studios, from Broadway to all across the boroughs.

By Alexis Malaos

At just 19 years of age, Chara Pantopoulos had proven to have the training, credentials and, most importantly, the grit to say “goodbye for now” to the place where it all began on the other side of the Atlantic. As a child growing up in the bustling city of Thessalonica, Greece, Chara appeared to have an inherent aptitude for rhythm and motion. With the discipline and perseverance of a natural-born artist, she continued to hone her skills at various acclaimed dance and movement institutions in Greece. It wasn’t long before she obtained her first teaching certificate from the Dance Club International Academy. Fuelled by the recognition and praise from her peers and mentors, Chara continued to expand her “range of motion”, by participating in the 2007 and 2008 Professional Hip-Hop Training Course. The courses were headed by Valerie Lendore, one of the most acclaimed choreographers around the world, and considered to be among the top professional choreographers in Greece.

The hard work more than just paid off. She was given the opportunity to give back to her city in one of the greatest ways, by dancing at the Moni Lazariston Festival. The most popular artistic site in Thessalonica, Moni Lazariston constitutes a vivid cell of culture and entertainment and Chara participated in one of its most grand events, by collaborating in a project of renowned Greek composer Mimis Plessas.

Soon after, she was approached to take part in the concert for the Friends of Children Suffering from Cancer, as she was given the distinct honor to dance before the President of the Foundation for the Child and Family and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Ms. Marianna Vardinogianni.

From classic to mainstream, Chara began receiving media exposure by appearing in various music videos with some of Greece’s most established artists, topped off by a live dance performance in 2008 for the Greek X-Factor. Audiences all over the country and beyond would soon get a closer look at the rising talent, when she took part in the Greek version of TV’s famous dance competition “So You Think You Can Dance.” During her run, Chara wowed judges, audiences and her peers, as her passion and skills secured her a position among the show’s top 30 performers. Never one to back down from a challenge, both as a student and a teacher, Chara took her moves to Latin and Hip-Hop dance competitions all over Greece. Her drive and dedication to her craft not only stood up to the competition, it bested the competition, as she danced her way to first place a whopping twelve times thus far! Chara’s dance crew from the DanceMania school where she taught, earned a most respectful second place in Greece’s 2008 National Dance Competition.

Her talents and accolades did not go by unnoticed, as she was approached to take on the task of choreographing for some of Greece’s most famous artists, including Georgos Tsalikis; Greece’s hottest Hip-Hop act, Master Tempo; and Vaggelis Stefanos.

As is the case with all competitive spirits searching for the next big challenge, Chara now showcases her moves on the New York dance floors, using the same passion and drive that took her to the top of Greece’s dance scene, to establish herself as a force to be reckoned with among the world’s best and she continues to strengthen and expand her skills at the Broadway Dance Center. The outlook already appears to be more than promising.

She has been assistant choreographer for the theatre play A Cuckoo Family, which opened to critical acclaim at the Hellenic Cultural Center. Her name and quality of work soon spread to the theater stages of 42nd Street, as she was assistant choreographer for the play Oresteia on Broadway’s Theater Row.

Her NYC dance projects continue to grow and so does her reputation, as seen by her collaborations with artists such as James Madison, Ceresia, Robert Taylor Jr., Chris Semers, Chikk, Nadia Kay and Talihana. Chara’s work also includes the showcases Sirens After Dark and Carnival. Her arrival was topped off by a dance appearance for the music video for Work The Middle from the hit dance film’s Step Up 3D soundtrack, by Ericka June.

With such a distinct and successful background along with an equally impressive and extensive resume, at just 20 years of age, Chara seems to be on course towards bigger and greater accomplishments in her beloved field of dance. A field whose fire, passion, vibe and energy, can only be matched by that of New York City itself…