{"id":9434,"date":"2021-10-08T11:46:35","date_gmt":"2021-10-08T03:46:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=9434"},"modified":"2021-10-18T11:56:34","modified_gmt":"2021-10-18T03:56:34","slug":"saigon-ballroom-dancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/saigon-ballroom-dancer\/","title":{"rendered":"Quitting Competitive Ballroom Dance: How A Pro Dancer Found The Pure Joy Of Dancing Again"},"content":{"rendered":"

From a professional ballroom dancer to a dance teacher<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n

It\u2019s not easy to let go of something you love, especially when you sweat blood and have high hopes for it. However, life doesn\u2019t always go as planned and efforts don\u2019t always guarantee you the outcome that you seek.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mai H\u1ea1nh<\/b>, a former professional dancer like them who achieved resounding success in international contests, decided to bid the spotlight and future trophies adieu. And her story will speak to those who are thinking of making changes in your careers for the sake of your mental well-being<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dance begins with a dancer\u2019s feelings. And for Mai H\u1ea1nh, it was love at first sight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

From basketball and finance to professional dancing<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"\"
\nImage courtesy of Mai H\u1ea1nh<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI was playing for my high school basketball team when my teammate brought me to a ballroom dance club,\u201d recalls Mai H\u1ea1nh, a Hanoi native who was first introduced to the world of international dance at C\u1ea7u Gi\u1ea5y Community House. It was an airy venue with many mirrors where a Vietnamese teacher was counting, \u201cSlow, quick, quick!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2001, ballroom dancing remained an alien sport to many locals, but the 18-year-old student was quickly fascinated by its sophisticated yet athletic nature from her first rumba lesson onwards.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy first impression was that, in order to make one dance move look delicate and sexy on the outside,\u201d she says, \u201cyou have to do it with enough power on the inside.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As she developed her dance skills, and turned out to be wildly talented in the art form, she treated dancing like a hobby as she was focusing on studying finance at a local university. It was not until 4 years later when she started to perform and joined Vietnam\u2019s first generation of dancers in the dancesport genre.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nImage courtesy of Mai H\u1ea1nh<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s obvious that Mai H\u1ea1nh is gifted. Coupled with her passion, it\u2019s no surprise that she has accomplished a lot in her career. However, not every dancer is that lucky and not all who work hard become soloists or champions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo pursue a career in dance, you need both talents, also known as a God-given dancer body, and dedication,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dedication is vital, without which there would be no performances at all. You know what you sign up for when you choose dance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Serving sass in the spotlight feels amazing<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"\"
\nMai H\u1ea1nh at a dance competition
\n<\/span>Image courtesy of Mai H\u1ea1nh<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The host announced, \u201cMusic, cue!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Immediately, the audiences became silent, as dancers began to move their sculpted bodies. With eyes so intense they could break the ice and poker faces that oozed sensuality, the dancers let their hips and feet do the talking.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Their flashy sequin gowns set the dance floor alight, and their immaculate spins that matched the music perfectly gave the whole place an otherworldly beauty.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was Mai H\u1ea1nh\u2019s turn to flaunt her craft at the National Dancesport Championship that took place in 2005.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nImage courtesy of Mai H\u1ea1nh<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I flaunted a cool technique and served sass, the crowds cheered my participation number,\u201d Mai H\u1ea1nh recalls the rare moment when she felt totally invincible with excitement and nostalgia in her voice. \u201cThe spotlight was glaring on my face, sweat prickled my skin, yet everything in me came alive.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Moments like that, though lasting for less than 3 minutes, are what every dancer wishes to immortalize in their memories.<\/span><\/p>\n

How can you forget a moment like that, when you spend at least 30 hours per week and a great fortune preparing for it?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Dancers don\u2019t breeze through their careers like they do on the dance floor<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"\"
\nDance couples at a ballroom dancing competition<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image courtesy of Mai H\u1ea1nh<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Ballroom dance, <\/b>or <\/span>dancesport <\/b>– a modern-day term for competitive dancing, is considered an aristocratic sport for good reason.<\/span><\/p>\n

For one thing, <\/span>dancewear<\/b> for competition costs at least USD500, and it\u2019s the number of the rhinestones glued on the costume that determines its value. The more rhinestones, the shinier your costume becomes, and the more attention you\u2019ll get from the judges.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many dancers even wear dazzling tiaras and crystal hair clips for this reason. If you watch <\/span>Shall We Dance<\/span><\/em>, you\u2019ll find that dancer Link Peterson, a character played by Stanley Tucci, even puts on fake teeth and a wig just to stand out from the crowd.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Shall
\nA scene from Shall We Dance where a couple compete in a cha-<\/span>cha-cha routine<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span><\/em>Shall We Dance?\/Miramax Films<\/span><\/em>
\n<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

A glamorous, quality pair of dancing shoes to match the costume costs a minimum of USD80. You must also factor in the costs of obligatory accessories such as a professional makeup kit, fishnet tights, tan gel, and heel protectors.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Dancewear alone can\u2019t guarantee all eyes on your hips and a trophy. You\u2019ll also need unique <\/span>choreography<\/b>, which can’t happen without a private instructor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re looking at a range of <\/span>VND1,500,000-VND2,500,000 (~USD65.92-USD109.87)<\/b> for only 45 minutes of private tutoring,\u201d she reveals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you want to win a tournament, you\u2019ll need more than 45 minutes of training per week and there\u2019s no guessing the total costs. Couples eyeing national championships train about 5 hours every day for at least 4 weeks prior to the big day.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some dance couples can\u2019t help but get into heated arguments during practice, and some even slap each other. However, they all smile like lovebirds on stage with all their costumes and makeup on.<\/span><\/p>\n

But in case you wonder if the prizes are worth their financial, physical, and emotional investments, the answer is a big no.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The monetary value of prizes in even the most prestigious dance competitions in the country, though we can\u2019t reveal them publicly, are nothing compared to what dance couples pour into a 2-minute-long performance. If a dancer suffers an injury, which is always probable, they have to pay for their treatment and recovery expenses.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you, however, use satisfaction as the benchmark, it\u2019s all worth it!\u201d Mai H\u1ea1nh explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even so, not all passion pays off and not every professional dancer achieves their dreams.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Quitting the spotlight to dance free and proud<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"\"
\nCompeting in Japan<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image courtesy of Mai H\u1ea1nh<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

After liberating their souls on the dance floor, all dancers have to face the judges\u2019 verdict in the end and decide what to do next.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some accept defeat and wait for the next championship to stand in the spotlight again. Some decide to leave for good.<\/span><\/p>\n

Through competitions, a dancer discovers a great deal about themself and how far they can go in this profession.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dance is a visual art, and its execution must be flawless in accordance with international standards for competition purposes. However, it doesn\u2019t change the fact that Vietnam is still a developing country with a dance scene in its early stages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nMai H\u1ea1nh (white shirt) as a judge at a dance championship
\n<\/span>Image courtesy of Mai H\u1ea1nh<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Every industry has its dark side, and dancing is no exception. Psychological tactics, conditional claps and cheers, and even price tags on medals are not uncommon to those privy to the dancesport industry. No matter how superb you are, you won\u2019t go far here if you can\u2019t fit in.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gradually, the spotlight began to feel less like an exploration of the glorious beauty of dancesport to Mai H\u1ea1nh, and more like a test of one\u2019s desire to climb up the ladder of prestige.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>It was not fun anymore.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On average, a dancer’s performance career tends to end around the age of 40. And Mai H\u1ea1nh didn\u2019t want to spend her heyday in constant second-guessing and disappointment.<\/span><\/p>\n

After nearly a decade of making a name for herself in this fancy yet injury-plagued arena, she left the spotlight to find peace and joy in dance again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI never stopped dancing. I only stopped dancing competitively,\u201d she explained when I asked her if she ever regretted leaving the field.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without the pressure of winning, she began to enjoy dancing for the first time in a very long time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

She now runs a dance studio of her own<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"\"
\nImage courtesy of Mai H\u1ea1nh<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Mai H\u1ea1nh finally learned to strike a happy balance between her fiery passion for dance and desire for a stable profession by pursuing a career in teaching instead of performing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nMai H\u1ea1nh (first row, second from left) at Vocational Ballet School of Ho Chi Minh City<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image courtesy of Mai H\u1ea1nh<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

10 years after her first dance lesson at a small club, Mai H\u1ea1nh pursued an education in Vocational Ballet School of Ho Chi Minh City<\/strong>, majoring in ballet and Vietnamese folk dance. <\/span>After two years, she graduated cum laude and was also awarded with a certificate from the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing in England.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, she runs <\/span>Dance Passion<\/b><\/a> – her own dance studio in Saigon with her partner-turned-husband <\/span>Nh\u00e2n Tr\u01b0\u1eddng<\/b>. Before quitting the competitive arena, they were known as the talented dance couple<\/span> Nh\u00e2n Tr\u01b0\u1eddng – Mai H\u1ea1nh<\/b>. Now, they just see themselves as dance artists who teach, compose choreography when commissioned, and spread the joy of dance to local hopefuls.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nImage courtesy of Mai H\u1ea1nh<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

During the pandemic, the couple switched to teaching online classes and experimenting with new dances. Today, every moment spent dancing is therapeutic to her, <\/span>and working free and proud on the sidelines brings simple joy. Perhaps it\u2019s the reason why she looks as if she\u2019s in her 20s even though she\u2019s 38.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nImage courtesy of Mai H\u1ea1nh<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m learning social latin dance now,\u201d Mai H\u1ea1nh eagerly shares her daily routine as a simple dance lover. \u201cIt\u2019s less conventional than ballroom dancing, but so fun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Chart your own path and adjust your expectations<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

As a famous proverb goes, \u201c3 minutes of glory on stage, 10 years of hard work off the stage.\u201d This can\u2019t be truer for people making a living as athletes or artists.They train incredibly hard, many making immense physical and mental sacrifices. And yet, what they are getting in return is nothing compared to the amount of sweat and blood they are pouring out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, it doesn\u2019t mean that there\u2019s no future for those who want to pursue an artistically inclined career in Vietnam. Just like Mai H\u1ea1nh, if you want to always feel the joy in your area of talent, you\u2019ll need to chart your own path. Don\u2019t succumb to the circumstances thinking that the only way to arrive at your destination is to top the charts or stand on the stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

What you need to do after discovering your passion is to map things all out and make informed decisions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since you\u2019ll have to make lots of sacrifices in the arts anyway, do it in such a way that leaves you with no regrets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also check out:<\/span><\/p>\n