Chris: Well, many reasons. For one, I always wanted to experience a job in the entertainment industry in China because they use a completely different working method compared to back in the United States. Secondly, I wanted to try teaching dance in China, which can expand my networking with dancers and studios.

What differences have you found between the dance community in Shanghai and LA?

It’s a completely differently working method here. For example, when it comes to back-up artists, back home in the States, we rehearse with the main artist so he/she can feel more confident with the dancers. But here in Shanghai, they learn dance by watching videos and copying the styles, and the main artist doesn’t even rehearse with you, which is kind of odd for me.

Here, a lot of the dancers teach themselves, they are working to try and make a living, and they have to belong to a studio or company, whereas in the States, freelancing is more common and we don’t have to belong to a studio but we do have agents. But I’m an exception, I’m not from here.

Okay, so how are you the exception?

A lot of the studios know I’m a slightly mixed Chinese but mentally act like a Westerner, so there are certain rules I don’t have to follow. Freelancing is a lot better for me here in that I can go to different studios in Shanghai and teach the style of hip hop from the States because the students here don’t get the opportunity to fly to the States and train there. I like to give the feeling, the experience, tell them what’s right and what’s wrong, and also teach them a different morality of the dance, instead of watching videos on the internet and copying the moves.

What is the most difficult aspect you find about teaching hip hop here in Shanghai compared to in the States?

Language, haha. My Chinese is not very fluent, I tried to learn Chinese, but my brain doesn’t work like that! I’m still trying to learn. Also, the Chinese students are not used to heavy physical activity, and I have noticed they are not very strong on their legs. They need to work on the height consistency of their legs. The energetic output of the students here is a lot different but there are a few who can present it, so if the students want to put themselves at the same level as the other professional dancers, then they have to push themselves. They need to focus more on the details of the routine, and open their ears more to listen to music to understand it and feel it. Commitment is key.

What do you love about performing?

Well, at least you have to show up on time, not let anyone down, and make the audience happy, and working with a team is a great challenge. Also, as a back-up artist, you have to really focus on making sure the attention is on the artist and not on you, so there are times when you have to pace yourself. Mainly I like to physically show off just for fun, he he he.

I started dancing because of Michael Jackson when I was younger.

What advice do you have for a person who aspires to be a dancer?

You have to firstly ask yourself, “Are you really committed in your heart to do this?”, “Do you want to make a career out of this or is it just a hobby?”

If you want to make a career out of it, you have to have willpower and patience. You have to understand the ups and downs on a lot of things. Regularly train your body to be strong and practice dancing every day. I think that confidence is also really important for any performer. More importantly, you also have to respect the other dancers because you may have to work with them and there are some who can provide you with work.

Have you ever had a freak out while performing?

No, because it comes down to practice, practice, practice. So if the sound or lighting breaks down, then you just have to keep going. Tech’s fault, not yours. » continue