We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jiemin Yang a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jiemin, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Since my childhood, I’ve always had a curiosity for artistic pursuits, but the environment I grew up in, in a rural area of China, didn’t provide much support for artistic expressions and education. The education system there mainly emphasized STEM subjects, with no dedicated classes for drawing, music, theater, or dance.

Upon immigrating to the U.S. and nearing high school graduation, I felt a strong desire to explore education beyond textbooks and exams. The idea of being able to draw or dance excited me, and my intuition urged me to pursue these interests.

When deciding on a college, I made sure to choose one that offered arts classes. At Macaulay Honors College, Queens College, CUNY, I enrolled in courses covering drawing, digital design, illustration, painting, animation, dance, and acting. It turned out that digital design, illustration, and dance were areas where I not only excelled but also found immense enjoyment. Unlike the conventional approach of studying solely for tests, these arts classes allowed me to create and have fun with final projects.

I couldn’t envision myself pursuing a career in science, accounting, law, or medicine. Deep down, I knew I wanted to engage in something creative, drawing inspiration from the world around me. I convinced myself that life would be more fulfilling if I could pursue work that I enjoyed while also making a living. Immersing myself in the biographies and stories of various artists, I envisioned becoming like them one day.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Currently, I find myself deeply immersed in the world of dance, serving as an independent choreographer. By day, I contribute as an art director at a marketing agency, and I also take on illustration projects whenever they come my way. Back in college, I engaged in various courses covering design, illustration, and dance. It’s both surprising and fulfilling to see how these acquired skills now play a role in different facets of my creative pursuits, serving as mediums through which I express my ideas and thoughts.

Among these, dance stands out as my favorite medium. Its unparalleled expressiveness allows me to convey my thoughts and emotions fully, using my body as a canvas. Over the recent years, my focus has shifted towards choreography, where I create concert, site-specific, and film dance works that narrate stories and experiences of Asian immigrants. I hold a strong belief in the importance of showcasing minority voices in artistic presentations.

A notable piece in my repertoire is “Here We Root,” a collaborative effort with six AAPI dancers. This work delves into the experiences of AAPI immigrants in Queens, New York, with a specific focus on the Chinese diaspora, responding to the surge in Anti-Asian hate crimes during the pandemic. Through interviews with over 25 immigrants, their voices became a significant part of the soundtrack, with some stories narrated through a script I penned for the dance work. The positive resonance from fellow immigrants who connected deeply with the piece brought me immense satisfaction. For me, dance serves as a powerful channel to connect and inspire people.

In 2020, amid the pandemic, I ventured into the realm of dance film with “Wo/我.” This autobiographical piece reflects on my experiences as an immigrant, a queer individual, and a dance artist living within a conservative immigrant family in Queens, New York. The creation of this film aimed to inspire other queer individuals to embrace their true selves, considering the rarity of Asian queer representation in the arts. Although sharing my own vulnerable story was a personal challenge, I recognized its importance not just to me but also to those who could resonate with it.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

My immediate family doesn’t quite grasp the essence of what I do. They come from a modest background, untouched by exposure to or study of any artistic discipline. Their perspective revolves around the idea that a practical job, covering basic needs like food, clothing, and rent, is sufficient. In my case, though, finding creative fulfillment is just as vital as putting food on the table.

Years of dance training have ingrained movement into my daily routine—it’s become second nature. Only fellow dancers or movement enthusiasts can truly understand the compelling urge to set limbs, spine, and pelvis in motion. Similarly, the act of creation has become innate to me. The sheer joy of bringing something entirely new into existence is profoundly fulfilling for my soul.

Embarking on the journey to become an artist is a daunting and highly competitive endeavor. In the realm of dance, it demands substantial resources like time, energy, space, and funding. Yet, it isn’t financially lucrative or sustainable as the sole source of income. While I’ve been fortunate to secure some funding from local grants for my projects, it falls short. I often dip into my own pockets to compensate collaborators and cover studio rental costs. The profound challenges of staging a performance might not be fully understood by some. Personally, I appreciate everyone who shows up to witness the dance. Merely being present and experiencing the creation is a significant support for a dance artist. Even the smallest gesture of support holds immense value for us.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I delved into the world of dance relatively late, starting my formal training in college with little prior knowledge about the art form. Despite my lack of experience, I persisted because of a strong desire to improve as both a dancer and artist. Being on the shorter side, I worried whether I could become a dance artist, as the industry often favored tall and strong male dancers. Additionally, concerns about the strength of my technique due to my late start weighed on me.

Craving more training, I decided to pursue an MA in the UK. Although I initially faced setbacks, failing to secure a Fulbright Fellowship or acceptance into the MA program in my first attempt, I persevered. In my second attempt, I was accepted into two MA programs in London, even though they didn’t offer much scholarship support, leading me to take out a loan to fund my tuition. This experience proved transformative, boosting my confidence as a dance artist.

In the contemporary dance world, not securing a spot in a renowned company or working with a famous choreographer can leave one feeling defeated. Faced with numerous audition failures, I eventually realized the potential of starting my own choreography. I felt compelled to bring my ideas to life and build something for myself.

Now, over a decade since I started dancing, I reflect on my journey with immense gratitude and pride. Dance has profoundly changed my life for the better, providing incredible experiences and introducing me to remarkable people—all thanks to my relentless pursuit of this art form.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jieminyang.art
• Instagram: Dance: @jiemin.art, illustration: @jiemin.illustration
• Youtube: @jiemin.danceart
• Other: TikTok: Jiemin.illustration

Image Credits
Hisae Aihara, Madi McGain, Laro Chien, John A Fleming, Naoto Jerry Sawaki, Andy Poon, Ellen Maynard