Drawing on her experience in learning international standard ballroom dance, the speaker shares her personal journey from a conservatory-style training background into the competitive world of ballroom dance. Behind the glamorous and polished image of the stage lies a reality of intense training, strict standards, and constant comparison. She candidly reflects that this path was far from smooth; rather, it was a process of being broken down again and again, and slowly rebuilding herself. On the international competitive stage, facing entirely different evaluations and expectations, she began to question whether she was still suited to dance at all. “Am I still myself?” became a recurring question in her mind. The most difficult moments were not only technical challenges, but also profound tests of self-worth and confidence. Dance, once a familiar professional pursuit, turned into a mirror that continually reflected her anxiety and vulnerability. Yet it was during these lowest points that she gradually learned how to be with her body, rediscovering the original feeling of dancing and transforming dance into a way of accompanying herself through hardship. Through repeated adjustments and choices, she rebuilt trust in both dance and herself. Eventually, she turned to teaching and became a ballroom dance instructor, transforming her personal experiences into a source of support for her students, helping them navigate confusion and challenges of their own.

Implemented by Department of Dance
Date: 2025/12/10