English text translated by Angela Feng
Earlier this year, at Lincoln Center in New York, a group of soldiers clad in glittering gold leaped across the stage. They radiated gallantry. Their movements were bold yet graceful, powerful yet controlled. Despite the complicated spins and tumbles the choreography entailed, they never fell out of sync, moving as a singular entity.
At the front and center was Jay Huang, leading the rest of the dancers through his role as the general. Jay started to dance in practicum with Shen Yun Performing Arts, the world’s premier classical Chinese dance company, in 2012. In the years since, he has risen through the ranks to become one of the principal dancers.
Jay Huang performs in Ming Imperial Guards, a classical Chinese dance piece that features the uplifting energy of the imperial guards in the Ming Dynasty. (Courtesy of Shen Yun Performing Arts)
Since its formation in 2006, Shen Yun’s mission has been to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. With this goal in mind, Jay has performed on prestigious stages all around the world, pouring his heart and soul into every movement.
Soldiering through hardships
Born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Jay moved to America to study and pursue a career in classical Chinese dance. He received his education at the prestigious Fei Tian Academy of the Arts in New York. There, he went through flexibility training—the first of many difficulties in his dance career. The excruciating six-month training period was full of hardships. “There were many times that I wanted to give up,” Jay confessed. Nevertheless, he steadfastly persevered.
Overcoming his inflexibility was only the first hurdle. As Jay began to learn more complicated choreography, he often struggled to keep up. No matter how hard he worked, he didn’t seem to progress fast enough. Despite doubling his efforts in hopes of catching up with the other dancers, he was still dissatisfied with his results. He recalled the constant anxiety he felt at the time: “I felt as though no matter how hard I practiced, I wouldn’t be good enough.”
However, never one to give up easily, Jay persisted and improved day by day. It took nearly two years, but eventually, he was able to ease away his uncertainty and anxiety. Looking back, Jay recognizes the importance of gradualism. “You have to take things step by step,” he said. “Nothing comes easily or quickly.” As a result of this change in mindset, Jay has learned to celebrate small victories, which has led to many breakthroughs in his art.
To increase the fluidity of his movements, Jay would practice the same action in front of a mirror for hours on end. This was often accompanied by watching videos of himself to study the movement from different angles, as well as seeking feedback from his fellow dancers. Not only does perfecting a dance require extensive physical training, but it also involves deep introspection. One must thoroughly dismantle each movement and consider all factors that may affect it, including mental and emotional states. “Your heart must be in the right place,” Jay explained. Years of training have helped him realize the importance of having a pure heart and clear mind. “If you dance with a cluttered mind or heavy heart, your movements will come out disjointed.”
In 2016, Jay saw his hard work and perseverance come to fruition. He won first place in the adult male division of NTD International Classical Chinese Dance Competition, with his portrayal of the acclaimed poet Li Bai. He was also made one of Shen Yun’s principal dancers.
In the 2016 NTD International Classical Chinese Dance Competition, Jay Huang won Gold in the adult male division for his captivating portray of Li Bai in Drinking Alone Under the Moon. (Courtesy of Larry Dye)
Reaching new heights
Jay is grateful for the values his parents instilled in him while he was growing up, as they have helped him become the successful artist he is today. His father always emphasized the importance of independence and self-sufficiency, teaching Jay to “not bother others about things that could be done yourself.” As a result, Jay became mature and self-reliant. Although he faced many challenges in his initial transition to the United States, he never mentioned them to his parents so as to prevent them from worrying.
Jay’s upbringing taught him how to effectively handle difficulties and to hold himself to a high standard. However, joining Shen Yun brought him to new heights in his self-cultivation. The company culture is built on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance, creating an environment that is respectful and supportive. “It’s not just about doing good yourself,” Jay explained. “You have to think about how you can help others, too.”
Over the years, whenever Jay observed new dancers encountering setbacks, he was happy to go out of his way to help them. Not only because he was able to empathize with them, as he himself had gone through similar struggles, but also because he understood the importance of supporting others.
Born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Jay moved to New York to study and pursue a career in classical Chinese dance. (Courtesy of Daniel Ulrich)
Jay spent the majority of his teenage years in a practice room; the past eight years of his life have flown by in a flurry of tumbles, leaps, and spins. Though he has performed across countless stages, he still gets nervous before every show. However, “the applause of the audience makes it all worth it,” he said. When asked to reflect on his career as a dancer, Jay smiled blissfully. “It was the best decision of my life.”
