268.Karen Chuang: Follow the Spark

268.Karen Chuang: Follow the Spark

From Words That Move Me with Dana Wilson by The Dana Wilson LLC

May 13, 2026 · 58 min

About this episode

Karen Chuang discusses her diverse dance career and the importance of financial literacy and personal growth for dancers.

Karen Chuang is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer based in Los Angeles who has toured with Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, taught across nine countries, and built a career that moves fluidly between the commercial and contemporary dance worlds. Spoiler: Excellence alone won't get you (and *keep* you) the gig! We explore: The Jack Johnson T-shirt moment. A moment when the most important lesson of your career arrives in a phone call you never expected. “Wherever you go, there you are.” The quote Karen has carried with her for years — and what it actually means to embrace a circumstance that isn't your ideal one, reframe it with intention, and then decide whether to stay or move yourself somewhere new. Financial literacy for dancers. What Karen wishes dancers knew earlier about money, and how her approach to educating at conventions like Hollywood Vibe has shifted from when she first started, and why that evolution matters for the next generation coming up. Being the cool auntie (or not). Karen reflects on what it means to be connected to her nephews not as a career success story, but just as family. This episode is for every dancer who has ever been told to…

People in this episode

Host: Dana Wilson

Guest: Karen Chuang

Topics covered

  • dance
  • career development
  • financial literacy
  • personal growth
  • family connections
  • commercial dance
  • contemporary dance

Keywords

  • dance career
  • financial literacy
  • personal growth
  • commercial dance
  • contemporary dance
  • mentorship
  • family connections

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, Hollywood Vibe, Pathways in Motion

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