She performed through the pain because “when you reach 40, you feel like if you stop now, there’s no return. Two years ago, MJ found herself dealing with nerve pain from all her years of dance. “Everyone who continues doing what they want inspires me.” That’s an amazing thing because I see them expressing themselves.” Who inspires you? “They just have no fear, and they just dance full out. “Even if you mess up here and there, we prefer watching that more than trapping yourself in a small box.” She shares her respect for those students who started as beginners and grew from that. That’s what I want to deliver through dance.” “We must allow ourselves to be free, truly ourselves, and be proud of it. “Why can’t I be as sharp as Fernando, Ying, Min, or Eunice?” That’s when MJ takes a step back and reminds herself they’re all different. When MJ watches rehearsal videos for upcoming performances with her dance crew, sometimes she’ll scrutinize her movement and compare it to some of her teammates. "Thoughts like 'I’m not good enough, I’m slow, I’m sloppy' should all leave our heads." When a performance starts, there isn’t a right or wrong way, or a specific dance style in mind for MJ - her priority is just to enjoy herself and feel her most confident, comfortable, with no judgments. I think that’s what I want to deliver through dance.” We’re still charming and beautiful as we are, so we should feel very confident and comfortable with that. “Being ourselves in our fullest expression is my top priority even if we can be a little bit different from other people. I disagree with the concept that a girl has to be quiet or feminine- what does that even mean?" What story do you want to tell when you dance? What started as a small class flourished into a space that hosts professional lessons for hundreds of students in three different locations across New York City and New Jersey. “I asked my then-boyfriend, now-husband, for name recommendations, and he suggested something simple and easy to remember.” They landed on I LOVE DANCE-an earnest proclamation of what her studio is all about. I had been there and knew what was needed.” I would simply get up and do it!”Īfter a stint at a small community dance studio that left her feeling unsatisfied, MJ knew she needed to create her own company. There would be no hesitation if somebody asked me to dance or sing. Since I was 4 or 5 years old - this is something that I don’t remember- my mom said I would get up and dance in front of other people and really enjoy it. I don’t remember a particular incident that made me open my eyes. As much as I was interested in other styles like jazz, modern dance, contemporary, and ballet, hip-hop seemed like the most viable and faster option.” Luckily, she fell in love with hip-hop, appreciating the challenge within the limitations of her physical abilities. “I had to discard some options because I hadn’t been training since I was three years old - which is a common start for dancers. She decided that it was time for a change. Only allowing herself two dollars a day, MJ scraped by herself for a few months while working and studying. Working 70 hours a week, she would get home worn out with her hands chapped and bleeding. Three months into the semester, her dad’s business went bankrupt, forcing her to find a job as a waitress and dishwasher, speaking little to no English. She came to America in her twenties to study Industrial Design at the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut. MJ Choi has spent half her life in Korea and half her life in the states.
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