It was clear to dancer / choreographer Shuning Huang that dance would be the career to follow or else. New York which is known as the mecca for the arts became her point of entry. Studying dance in her native China she looked to further her studies in the art by working towards a Masters at New York University. This became the stepping stone for her to build a career and expose her God given talents.

"When I applied for graduate programs, I didn't want to stay in my home country. I applied to several schools across the United States, not knowing where I would be accepted. However, New York City stood out in a unique way. Just like how mentioning Shanghai in China immediately conjures up certain perceptions, New York had that magnetic pull for me, perhaps influenced by various media and film portrayals. Ultimately, I chose New York to pursue my Masters in dance, drawn to the city's vibrant dance scene and its reputation as a global hub for the arts."

Shuning was inspired by such notables like Martha Graham, Mary Wigman, Isadora Duncan, and Pina Bausch. But one individual that stood out most for her was Dimitris Papaioannou. She was taken by his unique approach to the body and how he maximized the visual impact of dance as a whole. Shuning took from him the idea that dance does not always need to be structured but can be executed with minimal movement with precision and intention. These disciplines shaped her outlook on dance and its myriad of possibilities.

Even though, she has studied jazz, ballet, modern and traditional Chinese dance, modern dance has captured her heart. For her it is less rigid and it offers a sense of freedom of expression and emotion. When it comes to the differences and similarities of performing dance in China and the US they do not vary much. The essence of performance seems similar but the way dance is expressed differs. In China there is a subtle approach that depicts emotions and a type of storytelling. In the US she has found a more bold and expressive style that allows room to push boundaries and share varied levels of movement and storytelling.

"One aspect I particularly appreciate about the American dance scene is the opportunity to collaborate and connect with dancers from all over the world. Due to its diverse population, the United States offers a rich tapestry of cultures and influences, leading to a vibrant exchange of ideas and artistic inspiration. This cultural diversity has been a constant source of enrichment in my dance journey."

So far, Shuning has performed at such venues like the NY Botanical Garden, Mark O'Donnell Theater, WAXWorks, Culture Lab LIC, the Tank, Dixon Place, Emerging Artists Theater to name a few. One of her favorite performances was the first piece she ever did in New York called "Thou?." It was special for her since it allowed her to fuse Eastern and Western influences to a diverse audience. It is one of her goals to bridge cultures via dance and to create lasting, meaningful connections along different artistic traditions. Currently, she has a few performances slated for the rest of 2023. On September 23rd she will be showcasing her solo choreography titled "Afterglow" at the Balance Arts Center, on the 7th of October she will be dancing in collaboration with sculptures at the Grounds for Sculpture (which is a part of the The Outlet Dance Project) and lastly on November 17th she will be part of a group dance performance titled "To Fold and Unfold" at WADE into ACTIVISM.

Shuning is a dancer in the Six Degrees Dance and the New York Chinese Culture Center. She also teaches dance where she strives to develop a more effective learning environment for her students. A code she lives by is that dance in its purist form is an expression with no boundaries that allows various stars to shine indefinitely. It seems her star is shining brighter with every step she takes.

https://shuninghuang.com