Meet Artem Tikhonenko

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

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Artem with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

Work ethic was instilled in me from an early age, and I was always shown the value of persistence and dedication. I owe my strong work ethic to both my mom and dad, who demonstrated firsthand what it means to work hard and never give up.

With my entire family being born in Russia, my dad made the bold decision to move to the U.S. alone, starting his own company while working toward bringing us to Canada for a better life. He worked tirelessly every single day to ensure we had a stable home and food on the table. His determination and commitment to creating a better future for our family ultimately led us to Canada and shaped the opportunities I have today.

At the same time, my mom juggled countless responsibilities—managing our home, cooking, cleaning, teaching Russian at multiple schools to then even creating her own online clientele—all while making sure I got to and from school and dance. She somehow handled everything with grace, always prioritizing our family without a single complaint. She is the reason I was able to have such a full and active childhood.

Watching both of them overcome challenges and build a life from the ground up has profoundly influenced the way I approach my own goals. Their resilience, perseverance, and sacrifices have shaped my mindset and work ethic, serving as a constant reminder of what can be achieved through hard work and determination. I carry those lessons with me every day in everything I do.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I started dancing when I was about seven years old. My mom noticed that I was always moving whenever music played, and I loved watching live dance performances growing up. Seeing my interest, she took me to Vlad’s Dance Company in Richmond Hill, Ontario, where I quickly developed a passion for performing. I spent over 11 years training there, dedicating countless hours in the studio to mastering my craft. Throughout my journey, I was fortunate to work with some of the world’s top choreographers, including Mia Michaels, Teddy Forance, and Chaz Buzan. One of my proudest moments was winning the title of Studio Of The Year two times in a row along being the opportunity to be the 1st Runner-Up Senior Male Best Dancer at The Dance Awards.

Through my connection with Teddy Forance, I continued my training at the CLI Conservatory, where I spent nine months fully immersed in dance. It was an intense but transformative experience, allowing me to grow both technically and artistically while building invaluable connections. Toward the end of the program, I had the incredible opportunity to audition for Cirque du Soleil in a closed audition, which led to me being cast in their touring Christmas show, ’Twas The Night Before. It was my first touring job, something I always dreamed of and the experience felt surreal.

Since then everything started to gain momentum. My dance partner, Kiara Fina, and I began making partnering videos, which amassed over 7.4 million views and caught the attention of people both within and outside the dance community. This exposure allowed us to expand our brand and opened doors to teach and choreograph at various studios. I was invited back to perform in Twas The Night Before again this past winter, this time as Dance Captain for my team. During this tour, my dance cast of six started creating TikTok videos that went viral and receiving over 100 million views and generated significant recognition for the show.

Beyond performing I’ve now had the chance to assist many choreographers like Lyle Beniga, Andrew Winghart, Jblaze, Kirsten Russell and many more at both Jump and 24 Seven Dance Conventions.

Currently, I’m in the process of obtaining my O-1 Visa with hopes of moving to Los Angeles to further pursue my dance career. Living and dancing in L.A. has always been a dream of mine, and I’m working hard to make it a reality in the near future.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The first essential quality is strong discipline. As dancers, there are countless areas we must continuously develop to be prepared for any opportunity. From maintaining consistent dance training and staying in shape, to building a social media presence, and even taking acting or singing lessons—there’s always something to improve or work on. The industry can demand a lot of different things from dancers so I think having a strong work ethic to always be ready and give your best, is a mindset that has been very valuable in my journey.

Next, I would say authenticity is key. The dance world can be intense and highly critical, especially in auditions, classes, and workshops, where it can sometimes feel isolating. Staying true to who you are and approaching every opportunity with positivity can make a huge difference. It can help you focus on what’s important in that moment and not worry too much about outside factors. People are naturally drawn to those who are genuine, and industry professionals want to work with dancers who are not only talented but also kind and respectful. When you remain authentic and treat others with respect, it leaves a lasting impression in any room or environment.

Lastly, resilience is vital. The dance industry comes with unexpected challenges, new environments, and the need for quick thinking. Dancers are constantly expected to adapt—whether it’s picking up choreography at a moment’s notice, performing on difficult stages or sets, or seamlessly taking on different roles without hesitation. I always strive to approach new projects with an open mind, ready to handle any surprises so that I’m never caught off guard. This mindset has helped me stay present and react quickly when challenges arise.

Discipline, authenticity, and resilience are three key qualities that have played a major role in my journey, allowing me to keep moving forward in my career. I carry this mindset with me in everything I do, both in dance and beyond.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

One of the most impactful things my Mom did for me was she always taught me that it was never about winning, losing, or the awards—it was about the effort, passion, and joy in what I was doing. She always reminded me that as long as I worked hard, did my best, and truly enjoyed the process, that was what truly mattered.

Growing up in the competitive dance world, it’s easy to get caught up in results. Whether it was a competition placement, the result of an audition, or a tough class, it’s easy for a negative mindset to creep in. But my mom made sure I understood that success isn’t just measured by trophies or recognition. Instead, it’s about personal growth, the lessons learned along the way, and the love for the art itself. No matter the outcome, she always encouraged me to focus on my progress, celebrate the small victories, and most importantly, never lose sight of why I started dancing in the first place.

That mindset has stuck with me throughout my career. Whether it’s a class, audition, job, or a performance, I always remind myself that the true reward is in the experience—the hard work, the dedication, and the pure love for what I get to do.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artemtikhonenko_/
• Other: Tiktok:
  https://www.tiktok.com/@artemtikhonenko_

Image Credits

Aidan Tooth

DanceBug