At the start of this lunar new year I felt it would be appropriate to revisit my blog to look back on past adventures. And of course I noticed that I've neglected my blog for quite some time (a whole year to be exact).
Once I got back from Houston, I immediately began my second season with Hollywood Vibe Dance Convention:
At the end of the month I filmed and collaborated with long-time pal, Sorah Yang. We choreographed to J. Cole's, "GOMD", a song I wouldn't normally make moves to (WARNING: Explicit lyrics). The process was fun and we invited some of our talented lady friends to dance in the video with us:
JUNE 2017
At the beginning of the June, Sorah and I hosted the very first "In Session". In Session is an all day seminar for current college students who are passionate about dance and interested in learning about how to find the right balance between their studies and artistic endeavors. As graduates of USC and UCLA, Sorah and I wanted to create a space in which we could share our experiences as students/dancers:
During the last few weeks of June I traveled with Entity Contemporary Dance to SF and back to LA to present our second full length show, "PEEL". In addition to the shows we also hosted our summer workshops:
In middle of July I booked a music video for P!NK with choreography by Nick Florez and RJ Durrell with Katie Schaar for her single, "What About Us". The video celebrated individuality and the idea that if the strong supported the weak the voiceless could be heard. And in these turbulent political and cultural conditions, it was a cry out to those in power for equality and respect:
After nearly two months of rehearsals, the cast and crew of Fox's "A Christmas Story: Live!" was pleased to present our three-hour rendition of a beloved movie and Broadway musical:
"Redbone" by Childish Gambino
It's not that I haven't anything to write about, or even that I've stopped writing altogether. I still regularly journal by hand when significant (and insignificant) events occur. My two month journey to Asia in 2016 was transformative and eye-opening, and I definitely wrote pages and pages of self-reflections and breakthroughs (maybe more on that in another post). So I'll just attribute my lack of activity on "Decisively Indecisive" to pure laziness.
Now two months in to 2018 and a week in to the Year of the Dog, I'd like to reflect on the year prior and highlight some standout memories:
JANUARY 2017
I brought in 2017 snow camping in the mountains with Kally, her hubsand Brian, and a few other adventurous college friends. Who knew it snowed in San Diego County?
FEBRUARY 2017
I was honored to perform in the Pepsi Halftime Show at Super Bowl LI with Lady Gaga in Houston, Texas:
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| The whole cast with choreographer, Richard Jackson |
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| "Born This Way" |
Once I got back from Houston, I immediately began my second season with Hollywood Vibe Dance Convention:
The talented Trinity Inay in Burlingame, CA
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| Be and my best bud, Kent |
MARCH 2017
I celebrated my birthday by visiting Disneyland and the Instagram famous Poppy Preserve with two of my favorite people:
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| Me and two goofs |
APRIL 2017
At the beginning of April, Hollywood Vibe serendipitously was in Burlingame on the same weekend as Urban Paradise. Urban Paradise is an urban dance showcase put on by WSPA and The Company. It's always one of my favorite events to perform at because of how inspired I get from watching other groups from the community. At this particular performance Entity presented an excerpt of "PEEL":
At the beginning of April, Hollywood Vibe serendipitously was in Burlingame on the same weekend as Urban Paradise. Urban Paradise is an urban dance showcase put on by WSPA and The Company. It's always one of my favorite events to perform at because of how inspired I get from watching other groups from the community. At this particular performance Entity presented an excerpt of "PEEL":
On my first weekend off from Hollywood Vibe, I judged Fusion Hip Hop Dance Competition with four other talented members of the dance community.
At the very end of the month we took a family trip to Disney, where Margaret revealed that she was pregnant again!
MAY 2017
Every Spring for the past few years I've looked forward to attending the Unique CAMP which is hosted by Sonja Rasula and Unique LA. It was announced earlier in the year that the Spring 2017 event would be the last and final CAMP for the foreseeable future, and I was thrilled to be a camp counselor one more time. I spent four memorable days connecting with and learning from other talented creatives and artists:
Every Spring for the past few years I've looked forward to attending the Unique CAMP which is hosted by Sonja Rasula and Unique LA. It was announced earlier in the year that the Spring 2017 event would be the last and final CAMP for the foreseeable future, and I was thrilled to be a camp counselor one more time. I spent four memorable days connecting with and learning from other talented creatives and artists:
JUNE 2017
At the beginning of the June, Sorah and I hosted the very first "In Session". In Session is an all day seminar for current college students who are passionate about dance and interested in learning about how to find the right balance between their studies and artistic endeavors. As graduates of USC and UCLA, Sorah and I wanted to create a space in which we could share our experiences as students/dancers:
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| The Kraemers and Goldschens came to support Entity! |
JULY 2017
At the start of 2017 I made it a goal to attend Ate9's open gaga classes at The Sweat Spot every Thursday, and it's since became a consistent part of my weekly training. I was ecstatic to hear that Gaga People was hosting a workshop in Los Angeles, and even more thrilled that I could attend the event. The week long intensive was inspiring and eye-opening. My experience as a professional dancer is predominately commercial/industry based, and it felt nice to be in a space where I was there simply to learn and to further my artistic research.
Toward the end of the month, a friend who works for Nike Women Los Angeles invited me to speak at their "Believe in More" event at The Grove. It was a carefully curated event including an entrepreneur, an athlete, an innovator, and an artist. We each spoke about our experiences and how the "invisible makes us invincible". I was really nervous, but felt really proud and confident of what I shared that evening:
Toward the end of the month, a friend who works for Nike Women Los Angeles invited me to speak at their "Believe in More" event at The Grove. It was a carefully curated event including an entrepreneur, an athlete, an innovator, and an artist. We each spoke about our experiences and how the "invisible makes us invincible". I was really nervous, but felt really proud and confident of what I shared that evening:
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| Me with badass women Sally McRae, Sonja Rasula, and Caroline Beckman |
AUGUST 2017
At the beginning of the month, I performed with Entity at the 2017 Capezio ACE Awards held in Long Beach, CA. As a founding member of the company I've seen it evolve into its current form: An engine of creativity bridging concert and commercial forms. Our piece at the ACE Awards was a departure from Entity's debut performance at Maxt Out in November 2009, and it was an example of the power of community, dedication, and friendship. To top it all off, Artistic Directors Marissa Osato and Will Johnston with Entity took home the grand prize! So mark your calendars for Summer 2018, when Entity will be debuting brand new full-length work.
The last weekend of August was a big one, because that was the weekend that Marissa married Jeffrey AND when I got to perform at the 2017 MTV VMA's with P!NK:
SEPTEMBER 2017
September was a hodgepodge month during which I did a little bit of everything from commercial jobs to studio teaching:
I even collaborated with some of my community favorites, including Chris Martin and Larkin Poynton:
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| With a few senior dancers from DAU |
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| On the red carpet for XQ Super School: Live! choreographed by Nick Florez, RJ Durell, and Mandy Moore |
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| Class with Chris at the CookiesxEntity Workshop |
OCTOBER 2017
In October, I did a few small projects and performed with Entity at the Cookies Showcase in San Diego, CA.
NOVEMBER 2017
November was a busy month as I was deep in rehearsals for "A Christmas Story: Live!", but I still found time to hustle on the side. One of my all time favorites, Nina McNeely, asked me to be part of a music video for Japanese Pop Star, Ryuji Imaichi. Of course, I said yes:
"Angel" by Ryuji debut February 2018
DECEMBER 2017
On December 1, 2017, the Chuang Family welcomed a new baby boy, Oliver. Sweet, strong, and three weeks early, our Ollie is a healthy little guy with 10 fingers and 10 toes:
On December 1, 2017, the Chuang Family welcomed a new baby boy, Oliver. Sweet, strong, and three weeks early, our Ollie is a healthy little guy with 10 fingers and 10 toes:
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| Oliver and Carter Chuang |
After nearly two months of rehearsals, the cast and crew of Fox's "A Christmas Story: Live!" was pleased to present our three-hour rendition of a beloved movie and Broadway musical:
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| Me with Maya Rudolph and Chris Diamantopoulos |
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| The Adult Ensemble |
Sprinkle in additional studio teaching trips, rehearsals, training, side projects, friend time, family time, and the occasional Mood Mondays and that just about sums up my year.
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| Banks concert at the Theater at the Ace Hotel |
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| Celebrating Mother's Day with Margie and family |
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| Fun new photos with Nadine |
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| One of our very first rehearsals with the new members of Entity |
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| One of our many frequent roommate Disney trips |
Below are two additional videos: The first is my favorite class I taught in 2017 and the second is my favorite Mood Mondays of 2017:
"Doomed" by Moses Sumney
Here's to hoping that 2018 is filled with more surprises and revelations, but with greater intention and thoughtful risk taking!
