Dancing with Joy!

At first glance, it's easy to see how much Joy Fung loves to dance.  She isn't a competitive dancer - she takes private lessons simply because she loves it.  Like so many other ballroom and latin dancers, Joy dances for the pure joy of it!

We asked Joy a few questions about herself, and her dancing.  She laughed while answering many of the questions, and we think you'll get a giggle out of some of her replies.

Where and when were you born?
Shanghai, China in August 19_ _ shhhhhhh…it’s a secret ;)

When did you start dancing?  Why?
January 2006 to try to lose some belly fat and to have one fewer left feet.

Which style of dance is your favourite?
Latin dance is my favourite because I love the passion in the rhythms of the music.  It also reminds me of my vacations in Cuba and Mexico.

What are some of your goals as a dancer?
Ooo…, my goals are to have fun, fun and fun as a programmer (we call ourselves “Code Monkeys”) not a dancer. Learning Latin dance with the most talented instructor is a sweet treat for me and I believe I am getting better every week with his help.

How would you describe your personality?  How does it show/how is it different when you dance?
I guess that my name describes my personality and I’m constantly looking for other fun activities to participate.  I might look too silly when I dance because I laugh too much.

What’s the best dance-related advice you’ve ever been given?
Hmm…, I don’t remember because I’m forgetful.  …practice, practice and practice?

What is your greatest dance achievement to date?
My greatest dance achievement to date is starting to have a right foot.

What is one of your most memorable and rewarding dance experiences to date?
One of my most memorable and rewarding dance experiences is to get to dance with someone I admire very much –Trevor at the practice party!

Describe your fashion style, both dancing and non-dancing.
Hahaha…, my fashion style is VERY casual, too casual. As for dancing, I’d like to have an outfit that’s not too revealing. My non-dancing style would be jeans and t-shirts.

What is your all-time favourite outfit (dancing and/or non-dancing)?
My all-time favourite outfit is a green outfit that I bought from an Indian dress boutique named “Bollywood Fashions”.  The store owner told me that outfit was the new design from Bombay. :)

What do you do when you’re not dancing?
Now that my kids are older, I can spend more time working like a monkey and playing ping-pong like a rabbit.

What does a typical week look like?
For a typical week, I work on weekdays, have choir practice in one of the evenings (usually Friday) and do some cooking/pre-cooking for the following week. Weather permitting, I spend time on weekends tending the garden.

What inspires you?
Latin music and wanting to stay fit.

What are you the most thankful for?
I’m thankful for good health so I don’t have to catch my breath when dancing.

How has dance changed your life?
My life is pretty much the same as before, maybe busier because of the extra night out. :)

What would you say are the benefits of dancing?
The benefits of dancing are muscle toning, posture correction and the lively music makes you feel happy.

If you could dance with anyone (dead or alive) who would it be, and why?
Trevor! He is an amazing dancer and he teaches well so I can learn from him when we dance together.

If you could be on a dance-competition TV show, which one would it be and why?
No way that I would want to dance on any TV show because I wouldn’t be able to move.

What is your favourite thing to do to relax?
Listening to Latin music and loosening my muscles with the rhythms.

What are some of your favourite pieces of music – for dancing and just for listening?
Robert Michaels’ guitar pieces and the music from Bizet’s Carmen are my favourite for both dancing and listening.

Do you consider dance an art, or a sport?
I consider dance to be both an art, and a sport because dancing requires you to be fit, but it also requires you to move with grace and be artistic in your movements.