More About Minh

 
Early Life & Origins

Minh was born in Buôn Ma Thuột, a highland region of Vietnam known for its coffee farming. At the age of eight, he moved with his mother and sister to Ho Chi Minh City and spent the next nine years in a boarding school named “15 May – Work and Study School.” It was a challenging environment, especially for children from underprivileged backgrounds. Minh credits this period with shaping his resilience, independence, and ability to navigate difficulties—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Amid these harsh surroundings, he encountered Ms. Linh Rateau, who introduced him to the world of dance. Watching classes through a window for six months, Minh eventually mustered the courage to ask to join—and it changed his life. Despite the roughness of his environment, dance became a bright light that made everything feel possible.

Education & Training

Minh’s formal training began in 2007 when Ms. Linh founded Dancenter Vietnam. He became a student and later an assistant teacher, receiving multi-style training in Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, and Belly Dance. He was also deeply influenced by choreographer John Huy Trần, who encouraged Minh to discover his personal voice through movement.

In 2017, Minh participated in an intensive dance program led by Vangelis Legakis (East Point West). Focused on contact improvisation and movement exploration, this experience reshaped his understanding of dance and greatly informed his approach to choreography and teaching.

Artistic Philosophy

Minh’s work is grounded in personal experience, human connection, and emotional honesty. Rather than follow one style or set formula, he draws from what feels true. He lets ideas arise from everyday moments—conversations, observations, memories—and allows them to evolve organically.

“I don’t bind myself to a style. As long as I dance and it feels good to the soul, it’s right.”

His choreographic themes often explore inner conflict, emotional transformation, and questions about life and choice. He uses dance as a language to express what words can’t.

Cultural Influence

Having grown up in a tough, diverse environment, Minh developed a deep sense of empathy and observation. These qualities infuse his choreography with humanity and authenticity. Exposure to different cultures—from both his upbringing and professional life—has allowed him to blend local soul with global techniques.

“I feel lucky. Every teacher and mentor who crossed my path came at just the right time—when I needed them most. They didn’t just teach me how to dance. They helped shape how I see and live life.”