Dance Journeys | Charlene Zhao

In the bustling dance scene of New York City, every dancer has a unique story. Today, we sit down with Charlene, a dancer and instructor with a diverse background, to explore her dance journey, her insights on teaching, and her perspective on the ever-evolving world of dance.From Chinese Dance to K-Pop: The Early YearsCharlene's dance journey began at the tender age of three with Chinese dance. "I was learning Chinese dance, including folk and classical styles". However, her teacher steered her towards academics, believing a professional dance career would be too demanding. Despite this, her passion for dance persisted. "I discovered I still loved to dance". This love led her to K-pop, where she started learning choreography from groups like EXO online.Cheerleading in Southern CaliforniaMoving to San Diego, California, Charlene joined her high school dance team. However, this was not the street dance she was used to. She recalls that it was "more of a cheerleading style" with a focus on gymnastics-style routines.Lockdown in Shanghai: An Intensive Dance EducationThe COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown in Shanghai provided an unexpected opportunity for Charlene to immerse herself in dance. "I was taking online dance classes and intensely studying choreography, sometimes taking seven classes a day," she recalls. This intensive period allowed her to explore various styles.Teaching and TechniqueNow an instructor herself, Charlene offers insights into the importance of foundational training and technique. She emphasizes the need for detailed observation and understanding of how movements originate. "You really have to look closely," she advises, noting that many dancers focus on the final shape of a movement without understanding the critical starting and ending points.Charlene also touches on the challenge of systematically teaching dance. Unlike academic subjects, dance knowledge often feels fragmented. She stresses the importance of teachers who can break down movements into understandable details.The Role of Other Physical TrainingWhen asked about the benefits of supplementary training, such as weight training, Charlene confirmed that it helps build necessary muscle groups and develop muscle memory. However, she cautions against relying solely on fitness training without understanding how to apply that strength to dance.Overcoming Creative Blocks and Finding InspirationCharlene shares her methods for overcoming creative blocks in choreography. She finds inspiration in diverse sources, including attending classes in different styles and even drawing from the movements of others.The New York Dance CommunityReflecting on the New York dance scene, Charlene notes a strong emphasis on personal expression and style. She contrasts this with her earlier experiences where technical skill was more highly valued. She describes that in New York, "your technique doesn't seem to be as important, it seems like being more wild and raw and the expression is amazing".Teaching in New YorkCharlene discusses her experience teaching in New York studios and her decision to start teaching independently. While grateful for the opportunities, she felt limited by the studio environment. Teaching independently allows her greater control over her curriculum and a closer connection with her students.AdviceWhen it comes to navigating the dance world, Charlene advises aspiring dancers to stay true to themselves and explore various styles to find what resonates with them. She also cautions against comparing oneself too closely to others and emphasizes that "you really don't have to force yourself to go party if you're not the kind of person that enjoys it".The link to the original podcast in Chinese: 小宇宙Contact Her:Thanks for reading TheTryGirl’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thetrygirl.substack.com