Icons and Instincts

For the first time, the choreographer of Michael Jackson, Madonna, Björk and many others reveals stage stories through his extraordinary journey.

Vincent Paterson began his professional dancing career late in life. It would take an exceptional turn when he became one of the lead dancers in Michael Jackson's Beat It music video. Through hard work, he rises to the rank of choreographer and director for the world's greatest singers, but also for cinema and musical comedy.

He tells with humility the fascinating universe of film sets, the rehearsal sessions where he had to orchestrate and synchronise dozens of dancers, life backstage where it is sometimes necessary to manage a few whims of the stars, his successes and his disappointments. It is a dive into the heart of the world of dance.

“"Vincent's work is always imaginative and exciting, from his choreography for pop stars to his direction of a production of Evita I saw in Vienna, for which he found heart and nuance in the characters I hadn't seen before. I look forward to his sharing some of his 'secrets' in this book." -- Stephen Schwartz , composer of Wicked, Pippin, and Godspell "The collaborations between Vincent Paterson and Michael Jackson and Madonna are groundbreaking." -- Toni Basil , choreographer and performer ("Mickey!") "The impressive history of Vincent Paterson's work and collaboration with iconic artists is phenomenal and will last forever." -- Barbara Mandrell "Vincent's depth as a director created an inspiring adventure on the creation of the opera, Manon." -- Anna Netrebko , Opera Diva "Vincent Paterson's ingenious style of dance captivated millions of people." -- Paula Abdul "[The Way You Make Me Feel] surely is the best video ever made." -- Steven Spielberg "I look at your work and think how wonderful it is and how much you have given me and the picture ( The Birdcage )." -- Mike Nichols "You are so talented and it's always a pleasure to collaborate with you." -- Madonna , The Blond Ambition Tour”

“Vincent’s work is always imaginative and exciting, from his choreography for pop stars to his direction of a production of Evita I saw in Vienna, for which he found heart 

and nuance in the characters I hadn’t seen before. I look forward to his 

sharing some of his ‘secrets’ in this book.”

—Stephen Schwartz, composer of Wicked, Pippin, and Godspell

“The collaborations between Vincent Paterson and Michael Jackson and Madonna 

are groundbreaking.”

—Toni Basil, choreographer and performer (“Mickey!”)

“The impressive history of Vincent Paterson’s work and collaboration 

with iconic artists is phenomenal and will last forever.”

—Barbara Mandrell

“Vincent’s depth as a director created an inspiring adventure 

on the creation of the opera, Manon.”

—Anna Netrebko, Opera Diva

“Vincent Paterson’s ingenious style of dance captivated millions of people.”

—Paula Abdul

“[The Way You Make Me Feel] surely is the best video ever made.” 

—Steven Spielberg

“I look at your work and think how wonderful it is 

and how much you have given me and the picture (The Birdcage).” 

—Mike Nichols

“You are so talented and it’s always a pleasure to collaborate with you.”

—Madonna, The Blond Ambition Tour

Vincent Paterson is a world-renowned director and choreographer in film, theatre, Broadway, concert tours, opera, television, music videos and commercials. His iconic works include Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal and the famous “lean” as well as Madonna’s Blond Ambition Tour. He directed the opera Manon with Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon, Cirque de Soleil’s VIVA! ELVIS and Berlin's first original production of CABARET—the longest running play in Berlin's history. Film choreographies include The Birdcage, Dancer in the Dark, Evita and Hook. He resides in California with his husband, Rene Lamontagne.

For the first time, the choreographer of Michael Jackson, Madonna, Bj

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