SHOUTOUT LA
Hi Abbygale, why did you pursue a creative career?
"I knew I had the potential to do something challenging, something different. Dance had always been the thing I’d excelled at, the thing that made me truly happy. I realized I needed to be doing everything I possibly could to make a career out of it. Even though I ultimately chose not to continue with post-secondary, I think it was an important experience for me to have. It solidified my pursuit of dance as a professional career, and helped me realize just how lucky I am to have found my true passion. Shortly after withdrawing from my program, I received a $9000 grant from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts to pursue commercial dance training in LA. I was 18 at the time. It completely reaffirmed the choice I was making: dance lived in me. When I pictured my future, I always imagined myself performing live in shows, creating choreographing, working in TV/Film, teaching internationally. Receiving the funding I needed to make that dream my reality, knowing that it meant there was a community behind me that believed in my potential as an artist—that was a life-changing feeling."
EDify
Abbygale Chung has been dancing since she was four years old, when her mother put her in tap, jazz and ballet. She started taking her craft more seriously at age 10, when she began putting in more hours into her training. The same year also marked the first time she set foot in the dancing Mecca of Los Angeles. Now 20, she’s lived in L.A., and back in Vancouver, seeking commercial dancing opportunities. Avenue spoke with her about her start and career so far (and that time she danced with Janet Jackson).
- Cory Schachtel
Pop Nerd Lounge
In an ocean of dancers on social media, one young lady stood out to me. Abby Chung hailing from Edmonton, Canada is such an example of what it means to be a class act. She’s danced with legends like Janet Jackson, started her own foundation at 15, and travels around as a traveling choreographer and dance teacher. I had such a great time chatting with Abby. We talked about our love for Justin Timberlake, taking dance classes, and why we love our city. Listen in and be prepared to get motivated to move!
- Stephanie Pham