OUR Founder
Background
Yvonne Huatin Chow, 周化炜, identifies as a first-generation Chinese American, queer woman from the Bay Area, California, situated on Ohlone Land. Her passion for dance and movement began in her childhood, where she trained in ballet, tap, jazz, gymnastics, karate, and countless sports. She honed her leadership skills as a three-year captain for the San Mateo High School Dance Team.
She also founded a Hip-Hop Dance after-school program at The Mid-Peninsula Boys and Girls Club. For her contribution, she was recognized in 2005 with The Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year Award.
Training
Following high school, Yvonne migrated to New York City, the birthplace of Hip-Hop, to immerse herself in a culture and dance form that deeply resonated with her. Yvonne attended New York University Gallatin School of Individualized Study. There she developed her own Individualized Degree called “The Politics of Hip-Hop Dance” through her interdisciplinary study in gender and sexuality studies, performance studies, and creative writing. Simultaneously, she pursued her professional Hip-Hop Dance training with a full scholarship to The Hip-Hop Dance Conservatory (H+) to train in Hip-Hop Dance foundations through The BLADE Dance Technique for over a decade.
Yvonne has had the immense honor of learning from notable Hip-Hop pioneers in New York City: Ringo of Mastermind Rockers, Ken Swift of 7Gems, Full Circle Productions, Dynamic Rockers, and many more.
Some of Yvonne’s most influential dance experiences come from her returning to her geographical roots and learning from the Bay Area dance community. More specifically, she is deeply grateful for annual community events such as The Original Oakland Boogaloo Reunion BBQ, the BRS (Boogaloo Robotting Strutting) Alliance Dance Conference, and The Strutters Room Master Camp lead by Lonnie “PopTart” Green. She makes annual pilgrimages to the West Coast to continue her dance training and build with the Bay Area dance community.
Educator & Curator
During her journey with H+ Yvonne served in several dance administrative positions. She started in 2008 as President Pro-Tempore of BLADE Dance Entertainment (H+’s sister company), acquiring business and financial acumen related to the professional and commercial dance industry. In 2009, Yvonne served as the Education Director and Curator of Works. She taught the conservatory’s dance and academic classes with fellow pedagogues, managed pedagogical standards, fostered relations with H+’s Adjunct Professors, and ensured overall quality education. As Curator, she safeguarded over 160 works of H+’s repertory company, Theatre of the Mind, by producing and playing principal dancer roles in repertory seasons locally and internationally.
Performer & Choreographer
As a choreographer, Yvonne has contributed countless choreography to Theater of the Mind’s Hip-Hop Dance repertory works. Highlights include “Inveterate Love” which toured in France in 2015, “Sleeping Beauty,” which was nominated for the 2016 Bessie Awards, and “The Four Seasons” which toured in Guatemala in 2017.
In 2018, Yvonne was hand selected by Windows of Hip-Hop to be a featured performer and teacher for the acclaimed series, Boogie Down at the Bronx Zoo. This program featured original Hip-Hop pioneers and groups like Grandmaster Caz, Dynamic Rockers, Sugarhill Gang, and more!
In 2023, she had the privilege of serving as the Assistant Choreographer for the piece, "Lion in the City," by Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, supporting a work that combined Hip-Hop Dance, Contemporary, and Chinese Lion Dance. She was also invited by Hip-Hop Congress DC to perform and teach with Groove Junkies at The Kennedy Center for National Dance Day.
Community Leader & Organizer
In 2017, she took on the additional role of Director of Operations representing H+ on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. She oversaw programmatic elements that targeted the UN's Sustainable Development Goals by co-producing free, monthly, community programming providing necessities like groceries, health services, and professional media services to the NYC dance and arts community.
Complimentary to this advocacy work, Yvonne served on the 2021 - 2022 Selection Committee of the NY Dance and Performance Awards, The Bessies. This term included producing The 2022 Bessies Awards Reception at Chelsea Factory. She then transitioned in Bessies leadership to serve on the 2022 - 2023 Bessies Steering Committee.
Writer
Yvonne broadens her influence in the dance community and beyond as a writer. Her essays have been published in Stephanie Smith’s “Dance Perspectives” (2015) and Elizabeth Barry’s “Own Your Vulnerability” (2016). In 2023, she served as a Moving Visions Editor with The Dance Enthusiast and authored articles in celebration of the 50th birthday of Hip-Hop and AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Heritage Month. Her most recent accomplishment is penning an essay that will be featured in the Asian & Loud Book Project to be published at the end of 2024!
Martial Artist
In order to strengthen her roots to her own cultural lineage, Yvonne joined Great Grandmaster Allen Lee’s Chinese Kung Fu Wu Su Association in 2018. The temple teaches a highly unique system of traditional Chinese martial arts. In 2023, under the review of Great Grandmaster Rivera and Great Grandmaster Thomas, Yvonne received her 1st degree which earns her the current title of Assistant Instructor.
Throughout her career, Yvonne has continually demonstrated her commitment to dance, education, and advocacy, making significant contributions to Hip-Hop and the wider arts community.