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Member Spotlight: Q&A with Krystal Tsai

Who is Krystal Tsai in a sentence?
A sensual, open-hearted being that is conscientious and driven in life.

Tell us a bit about your work and practice.
My work in this early stage of my career is deeply related to my status as a young immigrant, my relationship with my hometown (Taiwan), and my religious beliefs. I have been exploring defying what “home” means to myself for the past two years in my work. What are the lingering connections I can grasp while choosing to study and pursue a career abroad? How can I sort through the experience of constant relocation and other living moments to learn about my relationship with my hometown? Attempting to answer this impossible question of what/where/when is “home” through movements, spoken words, play and many other elements in my work.

My practice has been heavily influenced by Contact Improvisation and many somatic and sensation-focused techniques. I’m often drawn towards techniques that connect and challenge my mind, nervous system and the relationship of them all.

How long have you been dancing?
Growing up dancing in school clubs, then started to train intensively in 2013.

How does dance fit into your life currently – are there any upcoming projects you want to share with us? 
Dance feels like a breath of fresh air and a source of fuel currently. It’s something my body naturally craves, being in a stage of life that is filled with changes in every corner, dance never fails to ground and recuperate the connection between my body and mind. No performance lined up at the moment, as I have been immersed in the administrative work after coming to a pause on a six-month creative process.

How would you describe dance’s impact on your life?
Dance has been that one thing where I find struggle alongside intangible bliss. Since I started dancing, I’ve been on a continuous journey of discovering my identity. Dance showed me the strength and resilience I didn’t know I was capable of. The countless relationships that blossom through this practice are also something I hold close to heart. Dance for me is a self-discovering and soul-fulfilling art form/lifestyle.

What three core values drive your engagement with dance? 
Connection, resilience and unfolding.

Do you have a particular practice that you carry out each day or have you implemented new practices over these last few years?
I found journaling and practicing improvisation in the form of writing have been keeping me grounded. When the mind is overcrowded, a lot of my craving for dance and creation gets shadowed by other daily tasks. I find that consistent journaling acknowledges my needs and gives me back the control of agency in both dance and life.

What would you say are the most significant benefits for you in being a Dance Centre member?
As a Dance Centre member, I had access to the monthly email that contains community calls for art-related opportunities. The most significant support is the residency program and resources that are not limited to local artists. As I encounter challenges in finding resources due to my status, The Dance Centre has been one of the few places that offer support for all. Being a part of The Dance Centre has nurtured my artistry in entering the dance community in Vancouver.

Krystal’s Member Profile
Krystal’s Website
Krystal’s Instagram
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Photos: Albert Normandin