Mia Chong with her father, Frank Chong

Choreographer, Dancer, Artist
https://www.eightmoves.org
IG: @eightmoves

Eight/Moves SF performances - Season 1, Aug 16-18th

Top 9 Q&As for Prospective AAPI Artists and Their Parents

1: What inspired you to become an artist, and when did you know you wanted to be one?

• Mia: I tried various extracurricular activities as a child, but dance was the one that stuck with me. I took my first ballet class around age three to five. As I grew older, I realized dance could lead to a professional career, and I became more invested in the self-expression aspect of dance, leading to my choreography career.

2: How important is education in pursuing a dance career?

• Mia: Education has been crucial for me. I balanced my dance career with my studies, earning my bachelor's from NYU and recently completed a master's in arts administration. The knowledge from my master's program has been invaluable in founding my dance company.

3: What are some common misconceptions about being an artist?

• Mia: Many think being an artist is all fun and self-expression, but it involves a lot of hard work, training, and preparation. The moments of performance are the culmination of extensive practice.

4: What challenges have you faced as an artist, and how did you overcome them?

• Mia: The arts industry is highly competitive, especially for AAPI artists and women. Moments of impact, where someone appreciates your work, keep me going. Leaning on mentors and parents during tough times has been crucial for maintaining perspective.

Q5: What is the financial reality of being an artist?

• Mia: The arts are often underfunded, and stable, well-paying opportunities are rare. Fundraising and community support are essential. I only choreograph works when I have the funds to pay my dancers, aiming for fair compensation.

6: How have your parents supported your artistic journey?

• Mia: My parents were always supportive. They encouraged me to do my best and were dedicated, from driving me to classes to attending my performances. Their support was about the experience and growth rather than just outcomes.

7: Frank, what mindset should parents have when their child wants to pursue the arts?

• Frank: Support your child's passion and allow them to succeed or fail on their terms. Encourage hard work and honesty about financial realities. Avoid living vicariously through your children; let them find joy in their pursuits.

8: What advice do you have for prospective artists and their parents?

• Mia: Be okay with failure and seek challenges to grow. Lean on mentors and seek advice from those ahead of you. Stay brave and continuously evolve.

• Frank: Skills learned in the arts are transferable to other fields. Emphasize hard work, and allow children to follow their dreams while providing realistic expectations about financial stability.

9: Can you tell us about your new project and company?

• Mia: I founded Eight Moves, a dance company focused on providing opportunities for AAPI, BIPOC, and marginalized artists. We have our first live performances in August in San Francisco. The goal is to create an inclusive environment where diverse voices are celebrated.

Full Interview for CATS with Mia Chong and Frank Chong

Interviewer: Thank you both for carving out this time to talk about inspiring future artists and their parents. This segment aims to provide real advice on what it's like to be an artist and the role parents play in this journey. Mia, you've done incredible work, and it's exciting to have you here.

Mia: Thanks for having us. I'm excited to talk about this.

CATS: Let's get started. Mia, what inspired you to become an artist, and was there a certain time you knew you wanted to be an artist?

Mia: I tried various extracurricular activities as a child, but dance was the one that stuck with me. I took my first ballet class around age three to five. As I grew older, I realized dance could lead to a professional career, and I became more invested in the self-expression aspect of dance, leading to my choreography career.

CATS How important is education in pursuing a dance career?

Mia: Education has been crucial for me. I balanced my dance career with my studies, earning my bachelor's from NYU and currently pursuing a master's in arts administration. The knowledge from my master's program has been invaluable in founding my dance company.

CATS: What are some common misconceptions about being an artist?

Mia: Many think being an artist is all fun and self-expression, but it involves a lot of hard work, training, and preparation. The moments of performance are the culmination of extensive practice.

CATS: What challenges have you faced as an artist, and how did you overcome them?

Mia: The arts industry is highly competitive, especially for AAPI artists and women. Moments of impact, where someone appreciates your work, keep me going. Leaning on mentors and parents during tough times has been crucial for maintaining perspective.

CATS: What is the financial reality of being an artist?

Mia: The arts are often underfunded, and stable, well-paying opportunities are rare. Fundraising and community support are essential. I only choreograph works when I have the funds to pay my dancers, aiming for fair compensation.

CATS: How have your parents supported your artistic journey?

Mia: My parents were always supportive. They encouraged me to do my best and were dedicated, from driving me to classes to attending my performances. Their support was about the experience and growth rather than just outcomes.

CATS: Frank, what mindset should parents have when their child wants to pursue the arts?

Frank: Support your child's passion and allow them to succeed or fail on their terms. Encourage hard work and honesty about financial realities. Avoid living vicariously through your children; let them find joy in their pursuits.

CATS: What advice do you have for prospective artists and their parents?

Mia: Be okay with failure and seek challenges to grow. Lean on mentors and seek advice from those ahead of you. Stay brave and continuously evolve. 

Frank: Skills learned in the arts are transferable to other fields. Emphasize hard work, and allow children to follow their dreams while providing realistic expectations about financial stability.

CATS: Can you tell us about your new project and company?

Mia: I founded Eight Moves, a dance company focused on providing opportunities for AAPI, BIPOC, and marginalized artists. We have our first live performances in August in San Francisco. The goal is to create an inclusive environment where diverse voices are celebrated.

CATS: Thank you both for your time and perspectives. This conversation will undoubtedly help many understand and reflect on the artistic journey and how to support it.

Mia: Thank you. I'm excited to see what other artists and their parents have to share. It's not an easy path, but I hope these conversations encourage others to go for it.

Frank: Yes, the timing is great. We're seeing more representation in various fields, and dance should be no different. We're looking forward to seeing everyone at our shows in August. Thank you, Leianne, for this opportunity.

CATS: Thank you, Mia and Frank. It's been a pleasure.