Meet the Artist: Julia Cheng

We are delighted to introduce our guest artist, Julia Cheng, who is co-directing, choreographing, and performing with us in the world premiere of Alex Ho's stagework, Untold, at Hackney Round Chapel on 5 November 2019!
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Julia Cheng is a creative director with extensive expertise in dance and self-produced work. Her experience as a dance practitioner spans over 15 years in the industry, from which she has obtained an impressive portfolio of commissioned works and funded projects. A versatile performer and choreographer, in 2014 she founded House of Absolute, an all-female collective of multidisciplinary dancers. She was a finalist for Hip Hop Dance Arts Foundation Futures Award 2019. Most recently, she was the street dance mentor on BBC Young Dancer, 2019.

Hi Julia! Introduce yourself to us.
Hi everyone! I am Julia [Gar Yun] Cheng and I work in dance, theatre and performance as a creative director, choreographer and performer. I am based in London and Luton and founded House of Absolute, an all-female collective of multidisciplinary dancers, in 2014.
 
How did you get movement and choreography?
My introduction came when I attended a street dance class in Luton when I was 18. Our teacher, Eric John, organised a few community performances which were really enjoyable and I realised that I was okay at dancing and could get better. At that point, I decided to study dance as much as possible outside my university studies and joined a modern dance class at 23 where I met my teacher and mentor, Stuart Thomas, who helped me develop significantly. I then joined a dance crew in London and began competing in Hip Hop battles. I received my first dance theatre commission in 2010 and the rest is history! 

Who are your idols?
I have so much respect for all my teachers past and present both within and beyond dance. My peers and collaborators also inspire me greatly, not least Laila Muraywid, a brilliant artist working in photography and sculpture, and Nagham Hodaifa, a fantastic visual artist focusing on the human condition. Last but not least, my company, House of Absolute, continue to inspire and motivate me. I think it is important, however, for artists to find inspiration from all people from all walks of life.

How do you prepare yourself for performances?
I have my own rituals and body warm-ups to get in shape for performances. This can range from physical dance exercises, meditation, qi gong, listening to music, reading, etc. It depends on the project, the space, who I’m working with, how I’m feeling and I adapt to what I feel I need for each performance. Whatever I am doing is not just about being physically ready to perform, but also getting into the right mental state to be able to commit my soul to a performance.

What is the most rewarding part of being an artist?
The people you meet and seeing the way in which our working relationships evolve and develop! Connection!

What are your future projects?
I am developing a Grassroots Luton artist exchange initiative in my hometown, Luton. I am the new Resident Choreographer for Royal Academy of Dance so am working on a project there for 2020. House of Absolute are then developing a full-length work for to tour in 2021 (woo!). Finally, I am collaborating with Daniel York Loh for Chinese Arts Now Festival 2020 as well as a collaboration with composer Jasmin Kent Rodgman, and have a commission for University of Bedfordshire MA dance students for January 2020.

See Julia Cheng perform with Tangram on 5 November at Hackney Round Chapel! Tickets available here.