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We are pleased to spotlight Marcus Bowens our first Hip Hop Cardio Instructor
Marcus has created, trained and taught hip hop dance for over 10 years. Beginning at the age of 10 in the world of freestyle hip hop dance, has since become a versatile and dynamic choreographer. He is also skilled in contemporary modern, African step, Caribbean dancehall and Irish step dance.
Marcus has been a co-creator in multiple projects with SUNY Brockport professor and Drumcliffe School of Irish Dance artistic director, Edward Murphy. These projects included infusing hip hop and African step dance with Irish step dance. Marcus has also trained under scholarship with the highly acclaimed Garth Fagan Dance Company. He has performed in multiple SUNY Brockport annual Sankofa dance shows. Marcus currently teaches hip hop choreography to new students.
When did you begin business and/or teaching?
MB: I recently started teaching my own hip hop dance classes for about 2 months now but I’ve taught dance for over 5 years within various companies and for events.
Where did you get the inspiration for your business brand?
MB: My inspiration began through watching YouTube videos of major dance company classes happening in major cities and I wanted to bring that here to Rochester.
What makes you want to teach/do your business?
MB: I’ve always enjoyed teaching others and seeing their eyes light up once they’ve landed the move/set of moves they’ve been struggling to get. I always love a challenge and it brings a wealth of happiness when someone who says they can’t dance takes a leap of faith and learns some moves they would’ve never thought they could get.
For you, how does your business/brand relate to wellness?
MB: Teaching dance relates greatly to one’s overall health and fitness. Not only are you pushing your body to work but your mind is also engaged and challenged to keep up with the regime. It’s a great stress reliever and keeps the muscles active and engaged ready for whatever task is ahead.
How do you stay healthy?
MB:I stay healthy by keeping a positive mindset throughout each day. I also dance in the studio about 2-3 times a week and remain active by playing recreational basketball every now and then. Along with that, I do my best to monitor my intake of food so that healthy foods outweigh the unhealthy.
What do you feel is the most challenging aspect of your career?
MB: The most challenging aspect that I would is say finding a balance between time put into the creative process and time structuring/tailoring certain choreography to match the intended audience. Sometimes my creativity gets carried away and the choreography becomes too advanced.
When you aren’t teaching classes what do you like to do?
MB: I like to practice my photography skills and study different methods to capturing various subjects.
What is it that inspires you to keep going as entrepreneur.
MB: The people I meet through different classes/performances I’ve had and hearing how they’re inspired to dance and/or do more to elevate their fitness.
What are you working on now?
MB: I’m currently working towards creating a collective video to showcase some of the great inner city dance talent that we have here in Rochester.
What’s has been your best experience thus far in your business?
MB: My best experience so far has been hearing great feedback and seeing the excitement in everyone’s eyes from when I taught my first dance class.
What has been your biggest challenge as a company? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
MB:Right now my greatest challenge has been tapping into a larger market to gain a greater interest in people to come out and take a class.
What advice do you have for others interested in pursuing their own business?
MB: Never give up and be prepared for some of your plans to go wrong. But don’t let that stop you from achieving your objectives!
Facebook: /mrmbowens
Instagram: @slimfitmj
mailing address P.O. BOX 10011, Rochester, NY 14610 • info540westmain@gmail.com