Kelsey Ang – SHIFT Dance

Hong Kong native Kelsey Ang, born in 1997, is a Gen Z dancer, choreographer, educator, and creative director. After an extensive period of training in both Hong Kong and the Philippines, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a dual degree in Dance and Marketing from Loyola Marymount University. Her business, SHIFT Dance, is designed for dancers of all ages, skill levels, and locations (thanks to virtual teaching). In addition to this, Kelsey has also choreographed and directed many stage performances, music videos, short films, and collaborations with a variety of fashion labels and music artists. Her work has been featured in music videos for artists Joyce Cheng and Robynn Yip and fashion videos for the Filipino brand Plains and Prints. In creating SHIFT Dance, she has been able to perform repertoire from Bill T. Jones, Sidra Bell, and BODYTRAFFIC.

Kelsey generally likes to credit administrative and legal work as the hardest parts of running a business, but encourages others with entrepreneurial tendencies to follow their passions. Her mindset is simple: she loves when her work – whether that be as a performer, teacher, or entrepreneur – is able to bring joy, help people, or make a difference in someone’s day. She feels that more people should see the value of dance, especially considering where she is from (in Asian culture, dance is not typically a common or respected career choice). In an interview with SHOUTOUT LA, Ang stated that “although a creative career path is especially unpredictable and challenging, it is worth it because I love what I do.” Whereas some entrepreneurs are solely in it for the money, she continues pursuing this dream of hers because of how much it resonates with her – a quality that is both respectable and admirable.

Additionally, Kelsey has produced her own dance film series titled “Night Market,” which was presented at the Along the Edge Arts Festival (Hong Kong) and Mashup Dance’s International Women’s Day Dance Festival (Los Angeles). These short films, designed to celebrate cultural diversity, are a fascinating combination of contemporary dance movement, remixed Cantonese disco music, and songs inspired by Southeast Asian upbringings. Ang has also been the recipient of the WE-Award, a fund that supports artistic programs around the world.

SHIFT Dance can be contacted through through various platforms and methods, such as email, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Vimeo.