Originally from the Philippines, Diane Lee grew up dancing by putting on solo performances for her family. Eventually outgrowing the living room show space, Lee enrolled in formal lessons at her local ballet school and her love for dance grew. Knowing that she wanted to be a dancer but faced with life’s realities, Lee’s post-high school answer to the difficult question, “dance or college?” was college.
After graduating from Fordham with a bachelor’s degree in New Media and Digital Design, Lee found herself in LA pursuing film but had never stopped dancing. Unable to ignore the dancing urge, and under the insistent pressure of time, Lee took on a “now or never” attitude and told herself to try again.
Lee’s days are now fueled by that same grit and drive as a freelance dancer in New York City. Through the F-1 Visa program at Ballet Arts and the power of social connectivity, Lee has made herself at home in the freelance world, bouncing from studio to studio, refining her craft and finding new ways to express her creativity.
Charmingly sweet and filled with determination, Lee sat down with me to discuss her atypical journey back to dance, what her days as a freelance artist are like, and what might surprise people about freelancing.
Interview with Diane Lee
*interview edited for clarity
‣ Let’s start with your daily routine. Can you describe a typical day in your life as a freelance dancer here in NYC?
Making my own cup of matcha latte and reciting daily affirmations is an essential part of my morning routine.
Then I normally start my day by taking class, or I have a private with Jessica Saund, or I do cross-training. I also condition with Sarah James, whenever I feel like I want to do some Pilates, or I’ll train with Katie Boren. So, I try to stay on top of that, just because I’ve also had chronic knee injuries. So, if I don’t start my day with a class, I definitely cross-train first.
And after that, on some days, I do try to take a second class. I try to mix it up just because I do have a background in other styles as well.
If I’m not taking a ballet class, I’m taking a contemporary or hip-hop class at Broadway Dance Center or Peridance. Actually, just two weeks ago, I did a contemporary class at City Center. It was two hours, and then there was another class right after – also at City Center – that I signed up for… a heels class.
‣ Do you have a favorite dance studio or rehearsal spot in New York City that just kind of feels like second home for you?
Honestly, it’s been Steps; but even before Steps, it was Jessica’s studio up in Harrison.
Ever since I started training with her, I was also making the commute up to Westchester, and I definitely didn’t mind it at all. I just loved being in her studio, just having that privacy, and having those intimate, teacher-student moments with her, which I really cherish. I haven’t been training with her for that long, but I can say that she’s my favorite mentor. I wish I met her earlier!
‣ With such a varied schedule, do you find yourself drawn to a particular style?
For so many years, I’ve always known that ballet is the one that really fills my soul. I know that I’ve had a bit of a gap in my ballet training, but I think it was also mostly because of things that happened in life.
My mom fell into a coma when I was 14 and that was what changed everything. And on top of having chronic knee injuries, too, at that age.
I decided to just join the dance troupe in my high school, and that’s what forced me to be exposed to and do other styles. I think that’s really what makes me different and, makes my artistry so well-rounded.
I still really love ballet, and anything technical and more contemporary. But every now and then I do love hip-hop, but I think it's also because I'm very much a pop girly.
‣ After a long day of dancing and cross-training how do you like to unwind and recharge?
I try to get a massage or go see my chiropractor and acupuncturist every other week. I’ll also go to physical therapy whenever I feel like some aches need to be addressed.
But besides staying on top of my recovery routine, I sit on my couch and re-watch a lot of TV series. During the day I’m already so exhausted that is just comforting for me to watch shows like Modern Family or Friends, The Nanny. I do love film and TV and just the storytelling aspect of these series and films in general. So, that’s normally how I unwind.
‣ You originally started your dance journey in Manila. How did growing up there shape your early interest in dance, and how does that background influence your work today?
Growing up in an Asian country and culture, I knew dance was always my outlet but I don’t think we’re very vocal people. I’ve found dance as something where I could really express myself freely… I don’t think I would have survived life without it.
Growing up in Manila, that also helped me appreciate having that outlet, because for me, I thought I was going to pursue the usual blueprint for almost any Chinese Filipino person. I thought especially after my mom fell into a coma – because she was the one who was always supportive of me pursuing dance – I would have to let go of dance.
I felt a need to give back to my family. I really thought that I was going to end up in the family business or become a doctor, or a lawyer, because that is the usual path in our culture. It is very unusual for a Chinese Filipino to pursue the performing arts.
Dance is also a way for me to kind of heal and give the next generations a chance to pursue what they want, especially in creative pursuits.
I think that's what makes this whole journey a lot more meaningful for me: knowing that I could pave a new path for a lot of people back home.
‣ What originally inspired you to pursue dance as a career, and why did you want to pursue that path in New York City?
I’ve always had this love for performing and sharing because I grew up performing in front of family. It was usually my grandfather’s birthday parties where I would be able to make a dance number, and I think that really inspired me to perform. I remember telling my mom “I think I actually want to do ballet”. I think I was five at that point.
And I love New York. The very first time we visited New York and experienced all the art that’s present here and the energy, that’s really what made me want to be here. After that trip too, I told my mom:
“You know what? I actually really want to pursue dance. I don’t know if that’s okay with you, but I see myself pursuing dance, maybe doing it, for college and whatnot”.
And I think since then, she was really supportive of it; I think that’s when she knew that her daughter actually really loves dance and she really wants to pursue it.
I always knew that I wanted to dance. I do not regret getting a bachelor’s degree in media and digital design at Fordham first, but for some reason, I just knew there was always something at the back of my head telling me I really still want to pursue dance in New York.
I just made that decision about a year ago to come back to New York, because I was out in LA for a year and a half pursuing film. But I was still dancing out in LA because I couldn’t let go of it.
I made the decision that this is really something that I want to go for because I’ve been wanting this for so long. And with my mom passing away in 2020, and growing up while she was in a coma, it made me realize that life is too short for me to not go for what really sets my soul on fire.
So, I definitely took the leap of faith and moved back to New York to just really go all in with dance.
‣ Freelance work can be unpredictable. How do you navigate the uncertainty that comes with it?
In New York, I have the opportunity to take so many classes and from so many teachers and make sure that I’m staying on top of my training.
Also, I use class as an opportunity for me to not just get to know the choreographer, but to get to know how they work and use it as a way for me to network.
I think it really is the perfect opportunity to also be seen.
I’m lucky enough that I have a lot of friends who are in the freelance route, and they’re more in the commercial dance, and being able to also see the trajectory of their careers and knowing that just taking class from a choreographer can eventually lead to a job.
So, for me it’s just really staying on top of my training and mixing it up every now and then.
‣ Networking is key to freelancing. How have you been able to make those connections?
I found a lot of my connections during the pandemic. Because a lot of people weren’t working, and we weren’t allowed to be in studios, a lot of choreographers were just teaching online classes and that’s how I found Sarah James, and even reached out to Jessica. I’ve used Instagram as such a great tool to network, and even just to send a DM to someone if I want to grab coffee with them, or ask, “Do you have any classes soon, or do you teach privates?”
So, I would honestly say, it’s been Instagram for me.
‣ How do you deal with rejection, and what advice would you give to other dancers who might be struggling with setbacks?
It’s something that I’m still learning, but after each rejection, I’m reminded that there will always be another opportunity that’s actually meant for me. And some of these rejections, they all kind of make sense, timing wise.
One of the most affirming ones recently for me has been when I auditioned for this small company called Bodies Never Lie. The company director is Jessica Ruhlin, and a few days after I followed the company page, she directly reached out to me and invited me to audition. I think she saw some of the videos that I posted on Instagram. And I didn’t expect that to happen.
And I think that was really affirming for me to know that there will always be opportunities that are meant for me. And a “no” doesn’t discredit my worth or my talent as a dancer.
I’ve learned early on from some of my mentors, especially in commercial dance jobs, that sometimes there are certain people and certain looks that they’re looking for. And that rejections aren’t supposed to be taken too personally, because sometimes it’s just the timing.
‣ Finally, what’s one thing about being a freelance dancer that would surprise people?
That it is possible.
I know that sometimes freelancing gets a bad rep. But I would say it’s actually possible. It’s really possible, especially when you’re driven.
I always thought that my journey would be: I enroll in a ballet school and then I end up in a company. I still see myself eventually joining a company but I think having this period of freelancing is really teaching me more about myself.
For me, because I’m someone who has multiple interests, it's also really freeing.
Freelancing is definitely an opportunity for someone to really grow in many aspects that they never expected because that’s how my journey has been. And having the opportunity to work with many different choreographers feeds my craving for different styles too. So, it’s having that freedom to try many different things.
It has also helped with my artistry because I’m a dancer who loves storytelling. I think that’s why I’m a dancer, because I’m a storyteller. Any experience that I get in the industry, even if I’m not necessarily dancing, is truly just helping me as an artist.
Featured image of Diane Lee. Photo by Jon Taylor.
I really appreciate the lovely story about Diane. I first met her about four years ago, and she’s always been so kind and considerate, while also being incredibly determined and hardworking. I’m truly proud of everything she has achieved. She is an amazing person!