Rising Stars: Meet Brian Poniatowski of Gramercy, New York

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Poniatowski.

Hi Brian, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started dancing at the age of 14 in Poland, where I was born. Although it was considered a relatively late start, dance immediately became my greatest passion, and I spent every free moment after school training in the studio. After just one year of training, I won the European Championship in Hungary. Two years later, I became World Champion in Boston, USA. In 2009, I won another World Championship title in Germany, and in 2012, I won the 7th season of the Polish television show So You Think You Can Dance.

As part of the prize, I received a scholarship to the International Dance Academy in Los Angeles. After completing the program, I returned to Poland, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in PR and Marketing in Warsaw. Right after graduation, I was offered a position as a choreographer in Copenhagen. After completing that contract, I moved to Hong Kong, where I received another incredible opportunity to create and direct shows for one of the city’s renowned studios.

After a year in Hong Kong, it was finally time for New York City, a place I had always dreamed of living in. I arrived in NYC on September 21st, 2015, determined to pursue a career on Broadway. After some time, however, I realized that Broadway was perhaps not my ultimate dream after all, and I decided to move in a different direction.

One day, I had the idea to use the connections I had built within the New York dance community and bring those opportunities back to my motherland – Poland. That is how Broadway Beasts was born. Since 2019, I have been developing this project with the mission of creating greater opportunities for the dance community in Europe by bringing some of the best choreographers, teachers, and artists from Broadway and beyond to Poland.

I also established an ongoing collaboration with the famous Broadway Dance Center, which awards three scholarships for its programs during each of our three annual editions to the most promising students. As a result, Broadway Beasts not only delivers world-class dance education, but also helps talented young dancers achieve their dreams and opens the door to greater international opportunities.

In 2022, I unfortunately suffered serious knee injuries that required surgeries on both knees. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason, and this experience showed me that it was time to close the chapter on my career as a professional dancer and begin discovering other talents and creative paths. Gradually, I transitioned into working as an Art Director and Movement Director in the fashion, beauty, and music industries, a path I continue to develop today while working between Europe and the United States.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would never say that choosing New York City as a place to live was a smooth road, but it became one of the greatest life lessons I could have received. NYC taught me humility, discipline, and how to constantly motivate myself to achieve my goals.

The most difficult period of my life was undoubtedly undergoing surgeries on both of my knees. Suddenly, my entire world collapsed. Something that had been my greatest passion, my lifestyle, and my way of making a living was taken away from me. The second surgery, especially, pushed me into a deep depression.

But as the saying goes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Through that experience, I discovered another passion: art direction. I fell in love with creating concepts for commercials, fashion shows, and music videos. I have always been a creative and artistic soul, and all the experience I gained from the dance world has become an incredible advantage in this new chapter of my career.

Years spent performing on stage: working with music, lighting, costumes, and choreography. Now influence and inspire everything I create as an Art Director and Creative Director today.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an Art Director and Movement Director specializing in the fashion, beauty, and music industries. I am also the founder of Broadway Beasts, one of the biggest dance conventions in Europe, focused on musical theatre, jazz, and commercial dance.

Creating concepts and visuals has always been in my mind, but when I was younger, I didn’t fully recognize it as a gift. Over time, I realized that my vision and vivid imagination were talents I naturally possessed.

What sets me apart from other creatives? To be honest, I’ve never really liked that question, because everyone has their own aesthetic, and art is not an objective field. Some people will connect deeply with what I create, while others may not, just like with fashion, architecture, or food.

What I can confidently say about my work and creative vision is that I have the ability to transform something simple into something artistic, elevated, and luxurious. And when you hire me as an Art Director, you also get a Movement Director who understands how to create movement and presence for models and artists, making sure everything feels cohesive and connected to the story being told.

Any big plans?
My plans for the future are also my biggest dreams, dreams I prefer not to share too openly with the world. I like to protect them from human nature: jealousy, negativity, and ill intentions.

What I can reveal, however, is that my future goals are deeply connected to helping people and spreading spirituality and spiritual practices, which helped me survive some of the most difficult moments of my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brianponiatowski.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianponiatowski/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXZjvDLcWM4

Image Credits
Joanna Giernin – photographer
Headshot – Justin Patterson