A Northern Virginia Nonprofit Children's Arts Organization
Feature Contributor: Shu-Chen Cuff
Shu-Chen Cuff, prinicpal dancer with the acclaimed Dana Tai Soon Burgess and Co. and professional dancer since 1996, answers IPA Youth's 20 Questions!
Welcome to IPA Youth's 20 Questions, Shu-Chen!
What is your hometown? I was born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Now, I live in Leesburg, Virginia.
Current occupation? Professional dancer with DTSB & Co., Dance Instructor with the Center Dance Company, and Regional Developer with Realty Executives Mid-Atlantic.
What age did you start dancing? I was six years old.
What was the last dance or roll you performed? The DTSB & Co. last performance was mix repertoires menu - I was in Chino Latino, Meditations, and Hyphen.
What types of dance classes do you take? I take four ballet classes and two modern classes a week. I usually have twelve hours rehearsal with DTSB & Co. per week. Sometimes I do some guest performances with other companies and schools that would add hours on top of that.
What disciplines of dance do you teach? I teach ballet classes, and I have taught modern classes.
What is your favorite dance class to take or teach? I love taking and teaching ballet!
What is your best dance skill? Extension and jumping are my strongest skills.
Any skills you are trying to master? Any time I struggle with a skill, I visualize doing it perfectly, and do positive "self-talk" regarding that skill. Dance is 99 percent mental.
Describe your favorite costume ever. That's too hard to choose!
What is your favorite song to dance to? I haven't thought about that . . .
Who is your favorite dancer of all time? Julie Kent, Principal Dancer of American Ballet Theater .
What is your favorite musical or dance show?Mama Mia is my favorite musical show. I love the story line and enjoy ABBA music so much. It's such a funny and uplifting program! Love it! For dance, I still love the old time classical ballet -- Giselle. It is such a beautiful ballet.
What is your favorite place in the theater? The stage. Of course!
What is the worst dance mistake you ever made? There is this one solo that I have performed so many times. My director decided to make it more interesting by having me face a different direction. In the performance I got lost a little . . . but I kept going. After the show, people came to me and complimented the solo and told me how much they enjoy it. I guess it wasn't as bad as I thought.
What?s in your dance bag right now? Three pairs of pointe shoes, one pair of ballet slippers, one pair of leg warmers, foot and toe tapes pouch, hair wear pouch, a bottle of rubbing alcohol for pointe shoes, the copies of music CDs that I am currently are working on, Purell hand sanitizer, Bath & Body Works cherry blossom body splash, a protein bar, and some chocolate!!!
If you could take class from anyone in the world, who would it be? Judy Newman, former/retired ballet instructor at the University of Florida's New World School of the Arts in Miami, Florida.
What is your dream dance job? Principal dancer in American Ballet Theater.
Any words of wisdom for your young fans or aspiring dancers? Do what you love and love what you do. If dance is what you love, then enjoy the sweat, the challenge, the hard work, and finally enjoy every moment of it on the stage.
Shu-Chen Cuff Performing DTSB & Co.'s Hyphen in October 2008.
About Shu-Chen
Shu-Chen Cuff was born and raised in Taiwan, where she studied with the Tsoying Dance Division in Kaohsiung. After relocating to the United States, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Florida's New World School of the Arts (NWSA) where she graduated on the Dean's List with honors. She has also studied at the Hartford Ballet and the Miami Ballet. Shu-Chen performed several years at the International Dance Festival in Taiwan, Japan, and Malaysia. She has performed professionally with the Miami Ballet (1996-1998) and the Nevada Ballet Theater, NBT (1998-2002). Since 2003 she has danced professionally with Dana Tai Soon Burgess and Co. and performed extensively throughout the United States, Asia, Latin and Central America, and Europe. Her performances include the Burgess’ award winning productions Tracings and Images from the Embers, and also many other classical and contemporary pieces include In the Glow of the Night, Les Sylphides, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, etc. She was Burgess’ rehearsal assistant for his work, Meditations, set in 2007-2008 season for Ballet Memphis. Shu-Chen is also currently a member of the faculty with Arlington Center for Dance/Center Dance Company.
