Left Turn: Jasmine Huang, HBA '18

I took my first dance class when I was just two years old. I went on to learn ballet, Chinese dance, contemporary, and hip hop. I always loved dance, but my parents taught me to think of it as a hobby, so I never considered it a viable career.

When I came to Western University to study medical sciences with Ivey AEO status, I joined a dance team. I ended up leaving medical sciences behind to focus on business which aligned more with my strengths and interests. Once I graduated and started to work, I quickly realized that the corporate world was not for me.

I was working to grow an international marketplace, but my mind was elsewhere and it showed at work. I was let go from my startup job. It turned out to be the push I needed to finally pursue dance professionally.

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I was lucky to land the lead in a dance theatre show almost right away — then the pandemic hit. I spent that time taking virtual dance lessons, performing virtually, and teaching dance to maintain an income.

 In the summer of 2021, I went to New York with the intention to train. I studied acting at the William Esper Studio and danced every day at Broadway Dance Center. When I wasn’t in class, I was running around to auditions. A lot of things happened in a very short time, including dancing in a tour video for Kendrick Lamar and performing in the premiere of Sneakerella for Disney+.

I returned to Toronto in June 2022 and performed in The Music Man at Thousand Islands Playhouse. Everyone in the cast had theatre school training, except me. It was very humbling, but also encouraging. This year I’m performing in Rock of Ages and Evita, both with Drayton Entertainment, and I’m creating a dance film series.

While I didn’t take a traditional business route, I still use many of the skills I learned at Ivey. I have to make sure that I’m budgeting well, strategizing for the future, communicating effectively, networking, and following up — I’m now my own business.

Nicole Laidler is a freelance reporter, copywriter and content creator, serving clients in London, Toronto and throughout Southwestern Ontario. She helps people grow their success, one word at a time.