IDENTITY
In 2016, Kelly Chu was working full-time as an event captain at the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San José when her co-worker and friend, dance instructor Arturo Magaña, convinced her to join his advanced folklórico class. Kelly, a Chinese-American, had little idea what a class about Mexican folk dance would entail. She recalls the angst of attending a class full of advanced dancers, where steps were referred to in a language she did not understand. Although Kelly is trilingual and fluent in English, Cantonese, and Vietnamese, Spanish was foreign to her. Nonetheless, despite her uncertainties, Kelly found the classes to be a positive challenge that provided her with a welcoming environment which supported her growth and allowed her to break out of her shell and come into her own identity.
She continued her classes with Los Lupeños Academy. After four sessions, Kelly felt accomplished and more confident in her skills and identity as a dancer. She was invited to consider joining the adult performing company of Los Lupeños de San José, which she accepted. Once again Kelly found herself outside of her comfort zone, as she recognized that being a part of a professional dance group demanded higher expectations. Kelly was set on meeting them. She recalls a period when she felt like she lived at the Plaza as she worked, rehearsed with Los Lupeños, and continued to take Academy classes there. Kelly’s fears of feeling like an outcast went out the window! On the contrary, she felt like she had found a home. Her personal and artistic growth reassured her that she belonged and it motivated her to keep going.
When I was in the studio, everything went away…it felt
right. I connected with the culture.
Although Kelly identifies as Chinese-American, her parents had migrated to Vietnam, so she was no stranger to embracing multiculturalism. She found that being a folklórico dancer connected her closer to her own culture, describing parallels between Chinese, Vietnamese, and Mexican dance forms. Kelly, who describes herself as a shy and introverted individual, comes out of her shell when performing onstage. She details the fast-paced environment that performers must thrive in, reflecting on her first on-stage performance. Quick costume changes were done wherever possible, not necessarily where most comfortable. These were things she had to learn in the process since there was no way to learn them otherwise. Kelly enjoys the adrenaline rush she gets from having hundreds of people cheering, describing it as a mind-blowing experience. These new and satisfying experiences and celebrations of different cultures allow her to embrace her identity while continuing to mold her into the dancer and person she is today.
Six years later, Kelly reflects on how consistently pushing herself outside of her comfort zone has led to finding her identity in the most unconventional place. She attributes being a dancer to her personal growth, newfound confidence, and leadership skills as her on and off-stage persona blend together. Embracing her identity has allowed her to translate these skills into her work, social, and personal life.
If you put your mind to trying something, give it a try, not even full throttle, even if it is out of your league, you’ll do yourself a favor in finding yourself.
