Marvin Baptiste

Marvin Baptiste

Marvin is an iconic figure in hip-hop dance, with over 30 years of experience — more than 20 of which have been dedicated to teaching. Inspired in his youth by his musician father, he discovered house dance at the age of 16, which quickly became a lasting passion. He made a name for himself on the Montreal dance scene and became one of the pioneers of hip-hop instruction in the region in the late 1980s, notably as a founding member of Secte of Hiphop.

In 1993, he created an innovative cardiofunk class at Studio Soul Impact, blending house dance with fitness principles. His collaboration with Shauna Roberts and Angelo Ameur led to the creation of Rythm and Groove, a production company focused on sharing hip-hop dance styles. In 1999, he founded Urban Dance Society (UDS), an ambitious project aimed at bringing the Montreal hip-hop community together through performances and events.

A passionate educator, Marvin has shared his knowledge internationally — in France, the United States, and Cuba. For him, dance goes far beyond performance: it’s a way of life, a passion he continues to explore and share with authenticity.