Video Dance Keeps Henson Hopping.

LAST JANUARY, choreographer Darrin Henson had his hands full. One Friday he was working with pop group 'NSync on the music video for their song "Bye Bye Bye," and the following Monday he was at the American Music Awards stages putting the last touches on that evening's awards program. But for Henson, who has choreographed for the likes of Michael Jackson, the Spice Girls, and Dru Hill, pulling it all together under deadline is less an act of faith and more the result of a dance style he has been honing since he was 5.

"Most of the artists I work with trust me and my judgment in terms of the dance," says the 26-year-old choreographer. "They call upon me for my style and they like my style."

Based on his choreographing track record, Henson's confidence is not unfounded. In December of last year, MTV aired a two-hour special on the Bronx native, titled "Do What." The documentary came on the heels of Henson's 1999 MTV Music Award nomination for best dance video for Jordan Knight's "Give It to You." Prior to that his choreography could be found in videos for Color Me Badd's "I Wanna Sex You Up," High Five's "She's Playing Hard to Get," and C&C Music Factory's "Things That Make You Go Hmmm," not to mention Marky Mark pre-Calvin Klein ads. This year alone 'NSync and the Spice Girls signed Henson up to choreograph their 2000 world tours.

Henson was weaned on Michael Jackson videos and the early era of music video dance. Figuring he'd get the best education directly from the best, the preteen Henson devised his own dance classes right in his bedroom. "I studied dance by watching Michael Jackson videos," says Henson. "I would put a mirror in front of the television and practice. Everything happened in my bedroom. I never really took many, classes."

While still barely 10 years old, Henson was bitten by the dance bug for good. "We were at a birthday party and listening to James Brown and I remember getting in the middle of the dance floor," recalls Henson. "I started popping and this old man gave me five dollars and that was it. I knew what I wanted to do."

The Bronx being the founding home of break dancing, Henson learned the steps of the street almost as intuitively as he did copping moves from music videos. Popping, locking, and other elements of b-boying made up his early dance vocabulary and remain the chief elements of his style today. At the same time that he was b-boying, he was enthralled by the dance of West Side Story.

A director and friend, Lionel Martin, gave Henson his first break while he was still in high school. It was a chance to dance in a music video by a now-defunct New York group. Yet Henson had his sights already set on other things.

"As a dancer I got frustrated working with a lot of choreographers," he says. "I didn't like their steps; I didn't think they were sharp enough; I got frustrated into being a choreographer."

After a few short years, his workload became so heavy that he started hiring out dancers and other choreographers that he would train. In 1998 he founded his company, Dance and Entertainment Workshop. "I'm basically mentoring a lot of people," says Henson about his company. "I want to see the product get better; there's jobs that I have no time to do, because I'm so busy." This year alone, Henson will make his acting debut in the forthcoming feature film Jack of All Trades. For now, he's gearing up for a year on the road with the Spice Girls and 'NSync.

Tony Michaels, a dancer who has worked with Henson for six years, attributes much of Henson's success to a strong work ethic. "Darrin brings his vision to the whole project," Michaels says. "I've seen him do lighting, do the music and cues." Michaels, who joined Henson for January's American Music Awards and will be on the road with him this year, says Henson "likes dancers that can bring his moves to life," ... "He's always giving new dancers a chance, and that's a big thing in this industry."

Henson, who makes at least a cameo appearance in all of his videos, says that practicing as much as possible got him some of his early jobs. "Get in front of that mirror, and do it 'til you got it," he advises. "Pick your favorite video and practice the dance steps."