Profile
Dancer poised for success
By Todd Balazovic (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-03-12 10:16
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Juliana Frost, from Thailand, teaches Thai dancing in Pussycat Dancing Studio in Beijing's CBD area. |
Arching her back and turning her head slowly and dramatically to the side, Juliana Frost sweeps her hand in a well-practiced arc while balancing an intricate, gold Thai headdress that dwarfs the graceful young dancer.
"I learned this art so that I could master both balance and posture," Frost said.
And she has.
Frost is among the few expatriates in Beijing who teach the art of Thai dancing.
The 29-year-old grew up in Thailand and moved frequently with her American father and Thai mother. She looked to dancing as a way to express herself.
"I was, and still sometimes am, a shy person," Frost said. "I don't always do so well talking to other people. But when I am dancing I feel no inhibitions."
She began learning the key moves of Thai dance at age 16.
"The reason I got into it was as a way to train my body, bring discipline, balance and posture, as well as to get in touch with my own culture," she said.
Since moving to China she has had few opportunities to showcase her skills.
"Back home I would be able to dance in groups with friends or in a performance around New Year's time," Frost said. "This was really the only opportunity to do it back home. But since moving to China there have been few occasions where I get to show my Thai dancing outside the classroom."
Though Frost has US citizenship she has not yet been to the United States. But she says she believes her personality perfectly blends her American and Thai heritage.
"American culture and Thai culture are two worlds apart. While growing up, I always tried to observe and act out the best of both," Frost said.
Citing her American traits, she said she aims to be forthright without coming across as rude or loud. From her Thai roots she says maintains a silent pride and traditions most associated with the culture.
"I have grown up in different parts of the world and would like to think of myself as more international than anything else," she said.
Frost came to China to help care for her 14-year-old sister and to learn Mandarin. The journey's benefit was twofold: It gave Frost a chance to practice the Chinese language while also doing the thing she loves most - teaching.
Her late father's passion for teaching rubbed off and made her want to pursue a career in education.
As an English teacher and Thai dance instructor, Frost has immersed herself in a world of education.
"There is something about passing knowledge along to the next generation that is really satisfying about teaching. It's what I think I was made to do and I love doing it," she said.
Whether it's the spoken language or the art of communicating with movement, Frost says any role she can play in helping an individual grow is worth it.
"This is what I was put on earth to do," she said.
