Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Tran.
Sarah, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Ever since I was little, I was always taught and pushed to become anything else but a dancer, so I never knew I would have this strong drive for dance. In high school, I finally got the opportunity to enroll in a dance class, although the class only offered a surface level of dance forms, I enjoyed every bit of it. Joining the school’s dance team was the biggest and only thing I wished for, however, no matter how hard I tried to convince my parents, I did not get their approval mainly because of the financial cost, they did not believe in spending so much money for such a hobby. Despite the lack of support, it was my last year in high school, I decided to audition for the Bowie Belles drill team without my parent’s permission. It was my last chance, I was so desperate for it, and my mother finally approved after a long talk when I came home with the sudden news that I auditioned and got in. Even with such limited dance experience and lack of family support, I decided to study dance in college. I then obtained my Bachelor of Arts in dance studies from Texas Woman’s University (TWU). I’ve also been a visiting choreographer for the Bowie Belles drill team for the past years, the same place where I first encountered dance. Previously, I was a dance coach at Dynasty Dance Academy and a hip-hop instructor at TWU Fitness & Recreation Center. I am currently a modern/contemporary instructor for advanced levels at Denton Ballet Academy while pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in dance at TWU.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Growing up in a Vietnamese family, I mostly interact with people within my culture, and choosing dance as a career is against the norm. Almost all of my close friends studied science, nursing, or business, my two siblings studied biology and engineering, these are the fields the adults in my culture would define as success. In most Vietnamese families, the child’s career choice must guaranteed wealth and success. For my parents, they are not as strict and demanding as others, however, they did not have the opportunity for education, neither of them was able to complete high school. With limited education and language barriers, my parents have to work extremely hard to support our family. From their perspective, success is a career that would make lots of money, so that I don’t have to struggle to make a living as much as they did. I’m pretty sure my mother have never imagined her daughter would choose dance as a career when she gave birth to me and raising me. I’m sure she had never imagined going through so many troubles and hardships in her life just for me to “dance.” When I finally found something that defines me and my identity, I couldn’t understand when being compared to my successful older siblings and my friends about career choice. Being a Vietnamese, in a non-wealthy family, the youngest and only sibling not studying something that would be guaranteed a stable job, there were just plenty of reasons for me to not choose dance. In spite of everything, I realized that dance is something I cannot let go of, I am always hungry for dance, I’d be miserable and not human without it, I feel like I am living when I dance.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I am an artist, dancer, choreographer, and educator.
I explore the correlation between movements and music, for each movement to be inspired by the rhythmic distinctiveness of sound. I am interested in emphasizing the quality of movements to be one with the music to visually and aurally satisfy the audience’s experience. I am driven by music, my work revolves around musicality and honesty.
While I dance, I cannot separate from my identity. It is a privilege to recognize emotions and thoughts from within, knowing that it is not dead. Dance enables active engagement and connection to all senses, acknowledging that my body is alive and my mind is conscious.
Once identity is brought to realization, I strive to create interpersonal relationships between dancers by catalyzing their unique selves to take part in the same world and share the same energy.
My most recent works include 04301975 and Living.
“04301975” explained the day the Vietnam War ended, the beginning of escaping and seeking freedom for the Vietnamese refugees. We are people of the same country, but it is now a day of grief for some and a day of celebration for the others.
“Living” conveyed the world where we are chased to compare and measure our jobs, our dreams, and our timeline with others. We are trying so hard to live up to society’s expectations, however, believe that we are actually living.
This space provides the possibilities in bringing awareness to the being of individuals, to stop developing borrowed dreams.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
As for the next 2 to 3 years enrolling in the MFA program, I will be producing and performing in various works that will be adjudicated and hoping to be featured in the TWU dance concert series. One other goal is to aim for collaboration works with other artists inside and outside of TWU.
Upon completing my MFA degree, I am striving to become a professional choreographer and a Professor of Dance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://truclyt9.wixsite.com/sarahtran
- Email: truclyt9@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truclytrann/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCubMHizGponTECvFvrpmgVg/featured
Image Credit:
Solo shots: Mary Huong Tran
Group shot with red background: Lily Masuda
The rest of group shots: Erika Record
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
