We recently had the chance to connect with Chieh Hsiung and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Chieh, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Absolutely, I’d hire me. I’m the kind of person who can walk into a blank space and turn it into something alive—whether it’s a stage, a community, or a project. I don’t just bring skills; I bring energy, ideas, and the ability to connect people.
I know I’m not perfect—sometimes I get too invested because I care deeply about the outcome—but I’d rather hire someone who cares too much than someone who doesn’t care at all.
So yes, I’d hire me, because I’m not just here to do the job, I’m here to make it memorable.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Chieh Hsiung. I’m a Taiwanese immigrant dance artist based in Queens, New York, and my work is all about connection—between cultures, between people, and between the everyday and the artistic. I create performances that weave Taiwanese culture into contemporary dance, using movement as a way to explore love, relationships, and the ways we learn from one another.
I also founded Compound Playground, a space where artists and communities come together to collaborate, celebrate, and play. What makes it unique is that it’s not just about showcasing art—it’s about creating experiences that feel like family gatherings, where everyone feels welcome and inspired.
Right now, I’m working on projects that blend storytelling, dance, and community building, with the hope of bringing people closer through art and shared human experiences.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
I would say my mom. She’s truly the model of my life. She was a teacher, and not only did she guide me, she was also every student’s favorite. From her, I learned the value of patience, generosity, and showing up wholeheartedly in your work. She taught me that real impact comes not just from what you do, but how much heart you put into it.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain when I moved to New York. The loneliness and struggles of starting over in a new place were overwhelming at times, but they also pushed me to transform. Dance became the way I released what I was carrying, and over time, it turned into my power. Instead of letting the pain silence me, I began to let it move through me, creating work that could connect with others who have felt the same.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My friends would probably say I really care about people… like, really care. I love connection, whether it’s through a deep conversation, a shared laugh, or turning a blank space into a moment of art. I’m the type who’ll plan something just so everyone feels included—and honestly, I think that’s what lights me up the most.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m definitely doing what I was born to do. Dance is in my bones, and beyond that, I love connecting people—bringing them together through art, stories, and shared experiences. It’s not just a career for me; it’s the way I make sense of the world and create meaning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/compoundplayground?igsh=a281Y2N6bGdnenk0&utm_source=qr
- Instagram: @Chieh___19
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@chiehsdanceinnyc5719?si=nVUvIdEs7iF0TQbP
Image Credits
Nicolas Tsai
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