🩰 From Breaking to Choreographer: Rose's Improvisational Life

"I didn't plan to become a dancer. I just followed my interests and danced my way into my current life."She's not a dance academy graduate, nor did she start with childhood dance training. She began with Breaking, started in Taiwan, and journeyed through New York's subway streets, studio mirrors, and spotlights to become a choreographer, videographer, performer, and "Teacher Rose" to countless students.This time, we dive into Rose's dance life.🎬 A Breaking Journey That Started with "So Cool""In high school, I first saw a dancer jump up and then sit cross-legged on the ground. It was so cool that I said: I want to learn this."That was the moment Rose began her Breaking journey. From Taiwan to New York, dance became her anchor for finding belonging in a foreign city. While studying film at SVA, she stumbled upon a Breaking club one day, and her life quietly changed forever.But her dance journey wasn't smooth sailing. New to New York, she faced language barriers, cultural differences, and lack of practice spaces that almost made her give up. Yet it was this "active choice within passivity" that opened another door for her.💃 From Breaking to Choreography: A Transformation Born from "Saving Face""I took my friend to a choreography class, and I said I wouldn't take class with you—too embarrassing... But as soon as he left, I went by myself."She originally had prejudices against choreography (Choreo), viewing it as imitative movement, until she actually entered the classroom and discovered—"How is this so hard? Why can't I keep up?"This "I refuse to believe I can't learn this" competitive spirit became her driving force to persist. Through this determination, she continued to grow in classes with top New York choreographers like Carlos Neto and Bo Park, eventually becoming a teacher and creator herself.🧑‍🏫 From Student to Teacher: K-pop as Catalyst, Teaching as ExpressionA Facebook message invitation led her to start teaching K-pop. "Back then, you didn't need to advertise. Just say you're teaching K-pop, and the studio would be packed."Rose's first class made her so nervous her palms were sweating. But her natural love for sharing and expression found an outlet in teaching. From then on, she danced while teaching, gradually building her own student community and style.She emphasizes: "Teaching isn't about showing off skills, but helping others better understand dance itself."🧘‍♀️ Hustle Beyond the Hustle: A Space to Slow DownNew York's dance scene moves fast with high intensity, but Rose goes against the grain. She created the class program Hustle, focusing on foundational training and emphasizing movement quality and control."I want people to come here without anxiety about memorizing choreography, but to truly practice 'into their bodies.'"Though the project is called Hustle (meaning "grind"), it aims to let dancers briefly step away from the city's grinding pace and rediscover their body's authentic voice.🎥 Beyond Dancing: Photography, Filming, and "The Art of Survival"Rose is also a dance photographer, creating class recordings, music videos, and social media content for many New York dancers."I film for whoever pays me," she says honestly but without dismissiveness. She jokes about being the type who "uses dance to feed dance": making her own posters, creating her own forms, editing her own videos, balancing her own books, while managing her social image."You even have to be careful about posting photos of yourself holding alcohol. With students of all ages, you have to think, 'How can I be a better role model?'"She laughs that she's "not a celebrity," but she's indeed becoming an artist who speaks through her work.🎭 On Stage and Behind: Choreographic Thinking and Creative PhilosophyFor Rose, creating a routine versus creating a stage work are completely different things.She's choreographed for PGM showcases and performed with Kenichi's dance company. She began shifting from "self-expression" to "effect presentation":"Looking neat and good on stage is more important than everyone dancing difficult moves."She also discovered that choreographing helped her understand others' choreography. "Before, when teachers talked about 'choreographic logic,' I couldn't understand at all. Now I analyze: why did they use this movement to connect, how does this musical accent cut in... these are all things you have to practice."🧠 Dancing with Your Brain: The Fastest Way to ImproveWhen asked about the fastest way to improve in dance, Rose thought for a moment and said:"Realize earlier that dancing requires using your brain, not just taking classes and learning moves."She doesn't deny the value of taking many classes, but values post-class reflection and body memory more. "I don't practice at home much, but I constantly watch recordings, reviewing every part of what I did wrong."She also advises everyone: "Don't be afraid to watch yourself looking ugly. Only by watching will you know what needs to be changed."🎤 Epilogue: On Authenticity and PersistenceThroughout the interview, Rose mentioned "somehow" more than once. She had no clear goals, no deliberate path-building, no grand plans, but she always walked step by step on "the track she chose."She wouldn't define herself as an "artist" or "success story." She's more like an ordinary person supporting a dance life with passion and thoughtfulness.But perhaps that's exactly why her story feels so real."Keep on dancing, that's all."She said this with a smile, ending our interview.🔗 Follow Rose 👉* ins & RedNote: @erose_mulan_lu* ins Film portfolio: @mulanfilm * Monthly Program: Hustle (choreo foundations) & Breaking* Weekly Class: int Choreo @PJM Sat 3:30 pm 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