Meet Naphaphorn ‘Huang’ Tan

We recently connected with Naphaphorn ‘Huang’ Tan and have shared our conversation below.

Naphaphorn ‘Huang’, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I think I’m still on the journey to fully discovering my purpose, but dance has always been something that keeps me grounded and motivated. From a really young age, it’s been a part of my everyday life — whether I was twirling around the house as a kid, dancing with friends at recess, or even just in my head while listening to music on the train. It’s always been there, whether front and centre or in the background.

I didn’t get the chance to pursue dance in school — my family encouraged something more stable, so I went into design. But even then, dance found its way into a lot of my projects. I continued taking classes whenever I could and made time for them, even when things were busy. It was something I always came back to, especially when I needed a break or felt overwhelmed.

When I took time off from school for my mental health, dance became a really important outlet. It helped me reconnect with myself and gave me a sense of structure without pressure. I’m not sure I’d say dance is my purpose, but it’s something that helps me move toward one. It gives me daily direction — whether that’s through training, expression, or just doing something that brings me joy and keeps me going.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

After watching Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses one too many times, I was completely hooked on the idea of ballet. That was my introduction to dance, and it quickly became much more than just an after-school activity. I joined my school’s dance club and, because of Singapore’s cultural diversity, I had the chance to explore so many different styles beyond ballet — from Mongolian and Chinese traditional dances to Bollywood. I performed at school concerts, took part in festivals, and even travelled with the team to represent the school in competitions. I didn’t realise it at the time, but those early experiences laid the foundation for the way I see dance today: as something both deeply personal and culturally expansive.

When I was 12, my family moved to Thailand. I continued my classical ballet training there, but dance didn’t really have a strong presence in school anymore. What did have a presence was K-pop, and like many others at the time, I got into it. My friends and I started doing cover dances for fun. That period taught me the joy of moving for the sake of fun and connection, without the pressure of perfection that I experienced in Ballet.

I continued training in Ballet until I was 18, but stopped right around the time the pandemic hit. When I eventually moved to New York for college, I started taking drop-in dance classes on the side. That’s when I was introduced to street styles like house and hip hop — and it was a complete shift in perspective. I began to understand how important those foundational styles were, not just technically, but in understanding the rhythm, groove, and history behind movement. I was learning to listen differently, to move differently, and to unlearn a lot of the rigidity I had grown up with.

During a break I took from college, I decided to enrol in a 3-month dance program in New York. The plan was to return to school right after — but that plan changed quickly. I extended my time in the program and found myself surrounded by people who shared a similar passion for dance. I wasn’t just dancing in isolation, but as part of a real community.

Now, when I look back, it’s so clear that dance has always been what I wanted to do. I may not have followed a direct path, but I think the journey I took only made that calling feel more certain. I’m now based in New York, continuing my training through the program I’m enrolled in, while also performing and participating in festivals and events outside of it. Being part of a wider dance community here has challenged and inspired me in ways I never expected. At this stage, I’m focused on deepening my practice, learning from the people around me, and staying open to growth — not just as a dancer, but as an artist and a person. I don’t think there’s a final destination with this. It’s an ongoing process of discovery, and I’m genuinely excited to see where it leads.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Discipline has been foundational; it helped me show up on the days I didn’t feel motivated or confident. It’s easy to think that passion alone will carry you through, but long-term growth really comes from being able to commit to your practice even when it’s hard or inconvenient.

At the same time, I’ve learned how important it is to find a balance between discipline and self-care. Especially in a city like New York, it can feel like you have to constantly be “on” — always training, creating, networking. But I’ve found that when I give myself time to rest and take care of my mental and physical well-being, I’m able to show up more fully and with more clarity in all the spaces I’m part of.

Having patience and trust in the journey is something I’m still practising every day. It’s so easy to compare yourself to others, especially in such a fast-paced and competitive environment. You see people progressing quickly, booking jobs, gaining recognition — and you start to question if you’re falling behind. What’s helped me is reminding myself that everyone moves at their own pace, and that there’s a right time for each of us. I’m still learning to celebrate small wins, stay grounded in my own path, and find joy in the process rather than only focusing on outcomes. For anyone early in their journey, I’d say: stay true to yourself, stay consistent, and know that growth doesn’t always look linear — but it’s happening. Stay curious, willing to explore beyond what you already know and allow yourself to be shaped by new experiences.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

Something I’ve learned recently is the value of stepping away — even from the things I love. For me, that meant taking a break from being in class. While I’m deeply passionate about dance and committed to training, I’ve realized how important it is to create space outside of that environment. Especially now, being in a full-time program, I spend most of my day in the studio and a lot of my time outside of it still thinking about dance. It can become all-consuming if I’m not careful.

That’s when I remind myself that while dance is a huge part of my life, it’s not the entire thing. It’s not my whole identity or purpose — and that’s okay. There’s so much more to explore and enjoy outside of the studio, and I’ve found that giving my mind a break actually helps me come back more refreshed and grounded. Recently, I’ve picked up hobbies like baking and crocheting — things that have nothing to do with performance or productivity, but simply bring me joy and help me reset.

My advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed is: don’t be afraid to pause. Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean you’re falling behind — it means you’re investing in your longevity and well-being. Make time to do things that make you feel human outside of your craft, and trust that stepping away can sometimes bring you closer to the clarity or inspiration you’re looking for.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @naphaphorn_

Image Credits

Julián Maria @julianmariajulian
New Jersey Shutterbug @newjerseyshutterbug