Living life without limits: Mini Zhang's 10-year journey as a dancer in New York

"If I could dance like this for a lifetime, I'd be perfectly happy."🟠 01 | From Beijing to New York: A Dancer’s AwakeningMini still remembers her first dance performance during elementary school. But what truly ignited her passion was a hip-hop experience in high school."I didn’t want to learn Jazz back then—everyone was doing ‘girly’ dances, and I wanted to be different."So she chose Hip-hop. Because it was "cool," and because it represented freedom of expression beyond gender labels.In 2015, driven by the dream of "pilgrimaging to the birthplace of Hip-hop," she arrived in New York alone.🟠 02 | First Club Experience: Dance as a Way of LifeIn her early days in New York, stepping into a club for the first time, Mini witnessed dance as lived experience—not performance, not competition, not spectacle. Amidst a crowd of OGs, locals, Black and Asian dancers, she saw:"Everyone was dancing for themselves, not for an audience."She describes it as a state of freedom and authenticity: "Not about being seen, but about existing."🟠 03 | Mentor Ryan: Style and Creativity Over TechniqueMini’s deepest inspiration came from her teacher Ryan Davis (aka RK Davis). He told her:"Style and creativity matter more than technique."Ryan later left the dance world due to industry disillusionment and health reasons, but Mini never forgot: A dancer’s power comes from within, not external applause.🟠 04 | Student to Teacher: Not All Teaching Is "Teaching Dance"Mini’s teaching journey began unconventionally. Her first class was a favor—covering for a friend. Back then, she was still taking classes at BDC and wasn’t the strongest dancer in the room.But she accepted the challenge:"If someone trusted me, why couldn’t I trust myself?"That trust became her driving force. During the pandemic, as she taught online, she redefined dance education:"Teaching dance isn’t about teaching moves. Whether I’m sharing original choreography or steps from a video, my goal is to deepen students’ understanding of their bodies."🟠 05 | Pandemic Breakthrough: The Birth of PJMWhen COVID-19 hit New York in 2020, the dance scene froze. Studios closed, classes vanished. But Mini and co-founder Peter saw an opening:"Dancers desperately needed space—physically and spiritually."They started small, renting a local venue intending to serve Chinese students. Unexpectedly, it grew into a multicultural hub. Unlike tourist-driven studios (e.g., BDC or Brickhouse), PJM thrived on authenticity:"I hire teachers based on trust, not hype. I know why they’re great."🟠 06 | When Clubs Fade, Battle EmergesMini admits today’s NYC club scene is unrecognizable from her early days. Yet she believes true dance lives in improvisation.At PJM, she launched freestyle battles—giving choreography-focused students a space for self-expression. Judges like OG Future evaluate not technique, but:"Are you listening to the music?"🟠 07 | Fast-Food Dance Culture: Same Moves, Lost SoulsMini observes a troubling trend:"10 dancers used to perform one move in 10 unique ways. Now, 10 dancers look like clones."Body control can be trained—but style demands lived experience. She reminds students:"Street dance isn’t just steps; it’s attitude, it’s lifestyle."Recalling her Litefeet days in Harlem’s community centers, dancing alongside Black teens who asked if she’d "become a disciple":"To learn their culture, you had to live it. I’ll never be them—but I honor their energy by weaving it into my own dance language."🟠 08 | "I’m Just a Person Who Dances"Mini still takes weekly classes—Heels, Contemporary, House, Litefeet—exploring her multitudes."Different life stages crave different styles. Dance evolves with you."Her secret?Surrender to what your body needs now.🟠 09 | Industry Exhaustion, Dance as SanctuaryThe dance industry offers two paths: fit in (chase commercial gigs) or be yourself (build authentic community). Mini chose the latter.This road has no template. As creator/operator/community-builder, burnout comes from logistics—not dancing:"The hardest part? Handling people, operations, drama."Yet after every class, the fog lifts:"Dance isn’t about performing on a stage. It’s about courage—to express, to practice, to own your choices."🟠 10 | For Beginners: Three TruthsTo new dancers, Mini offers grounded wisdom:✨ Seek the source (learn from OGs)✨ Honor your pace (don’t rush "mastery")✨ Know your why (dance doesn’t require professionalism)"Dancing is a privilege: health, safety, resources—not everyone has this."🟣 Epilogue｜Keep on DancingMini Zhang’s story isn’t a "dreamer-turns-star" fairy tale. It’s real—full of crossroads, grit, luck, and unwavering loyalty to her craft.She dances not to become someone else, but to become fully herself.🔗 Follow * Mini Zhang:* Instagram: @minizhang._* RedNote: @Mini Zhang* PJM Studio:* Instagram: @pjmdancenyc* RedNote: @PJM Dance NYC* Class schedule: Pinned on the RedNote — daily classes available! 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