Q. What art disciplines are you currently involved in?
A. Currently, I am involved in dance and visual arts, including printmaking and photography.
Q. How did you get into the performing arts?
A. Initially, I was introduced to dance by a senior at Dio who hosted short choreo classes after school. During our free time, my friends and I used to learn K-Pop choreos and go to RDPs, and that boosted my confidence. My first performance was a traditional cultural dance, where my friends and I did a Thai dance at Dio’s 2024 Culture Night. Loving the feedback we got, I then established my very own Thai-Pop Dance Club, which is a style that I enjoy more and believe is more accessible to Dio students.
Q. Do you prefer working on long-term projects or in-the-moment pieces for visual arts?
A. I enjoy working on long-term projects because I find the result to be very satisfying, especially if I have developed a certain concept. However, I find this to be impractical outside of the curriculum, so I tend to do more ‘in-the-moment’ pieces and capture a small-scale concept.
Q. How do you find a balance between your passion for the arts and your academics?
A. Short answer: I don’t. If I enjoy something, I set a task and a deadline for myself and complete it, similarly to doing homework. For example, with Thai-Pop, we are on a strict timeline, performing on Culture Night, so I’ve set practice dates with the goal of learning the choreo by the deadline. My academics are highly important to me, but both tasks need to be done, so I must get them done somehow. This usually means not going out that weekend to tie up loose ends or sleeping an hour later to finish them. I am working towards a better balance, but that is my current approach.
Q. What would you say to someone looking to found a new arts group, as you have?
A. Never expect the perfect first step. When I first stepped into the dance room, I wish someone had told me that I was meant to be imperfect. Everyone is at different stages of this artistic journey, so you can never compare your ‘start’ to someone else’s ‘casual takes’. When you enter a room full of people who have started before you, you are bound not to perform as well – simply because you haven’t had their experience. I encourage you to join that new group you’ve been looking forward to. Don’t fear the judgement of others because everyone is too busy focusing on their own mistakes. Your biggest judge is yourself, so give yourself the mercy. I’m certain everyone can do well in any discipline they choose, as long as they continue to enjoy what they do.
