From Taiwan to New York: Shan Y. Chuang’s Journey of Music, Dance, and Self-Discovery
In this interview, I had the pleasure of speaking with Shan Y. Chuang, whose artistic journey is as inspiring as it is multifaceted. Shan began her training as a pianist at a young age before discovering her passion for dance, which ultimately set her on a path toward a life in the performing arts.
After graduating with an MFA in Musical Theater from National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), Shan was accepted into the prestigious Circle in the Square Musical Theater program in New York City in 2012. Her move to the Big Apple marked a bold step toward fulfilling her dream of performing in musicals. Yet, through her experiences with the audition process and casting limitations, Shan realized that her creativity could not be confined to the traditional stage.
Embracing her culture and roots, she began creating and choreographing her own work, collaborating with like-minded artists, and redefining what it means to be a performer. Today, Shan thrives both on stage and beyond it, appearing in plays, musicals, and films, while also working with Katharine Pettit Creative and LINKED Dance Theatre.
Our conversation explored her artistic evolution, her courage to carve out her own creative path, and her commitment to collaboration as a way of bringing immersive and engaging stories to life. Shan is an artist who truly welcomes the creation of art with wide open arms.
https://www.shanychuang.com/about