If you’re like most students, dancing probably doesn’t come easily to you. But for some, rhythm comes naturally. One such person is 2012 alumna Courtney Yeh.

Reluctant to return to her home in Hong Kong immediately after receiving her bachelor’s degree in communications and rhetorical studies, Yeh decided to pursue her lifelong passion of dance beyond the confines of classroom walls.

Co-founder of the Shift Dance Crew and former co-director of the Creations Dance Company, Yeh now works alongside friend and 2012 alumnus Jonathan Shih at World of Dance. The Los Angeles-based company aims to empower dancers all over the world, helping unknown artists launch their careers to new heights through YouTube.

As the media and network coordinator, Yeh not only edits and produces videos for the company’s YouTube channel, but also scouts for talent online. Most recently, she recruited a crew from Hungary.

But that’s not all.

“We host dance competitions around theU.S.andCanada, and we just started branching out toEurope,” Yeh said. “Our first show will be in the Netherlands in November.”

While most graduates find themselves behind a desk working a 9-to-5 job, Yeh may be the envy of many fresh graduates because of her unpredictable and fulfilling job.

“I don’t really have a typical day because every day is different. One day I’m at home editing (videos) or networking, another day I’m out the whole day filming and over the weekend I’m traveling to anew city,” Yeh said.

Part of what she loves about her job is that she travels frequently to meet fellow dancers who continue to inspire her.

The World of Dance Tour, the largest urban dance competition in the country, has since taken her to various cities includingSan Francisco,Seattle andVancouver,Canada. She will also be traveling toToronto,Canada, and toSan Diego before heading toEurope.

But sooner or later, she sees herself going back home.

“My ultimate goal is to open my own dance studio in Hong Kong,” Yeh said.

Though she is not dancing as much these days, she is strongly encouraged by the dancing scene in California to start something of her own.

Said Yeh: “Don’t wait to pursue your dreams, just do it.”

– Compiled by Bernice Chan, contributing writer, sichan@syr.edu

Published on September 17, 2012 at 1:44 am