Life is not a straight line. Especially if you’re a woman, more so if you’re trying to build a life far from home, with a career that many consider frivolous.
In time for Women’s Month, NYC-based Diane Lee chats with The POST and shares the joys and struggles of being a young Filipino-Chinese dancer in the big, frenetic melting pot that is New York City. She gives a candid look into her life as a dancer, from her beginnings as a ballerina in Manila to finding her way through and making a name for herself as an artist in NYC.
Sure there are the inevitable bumps, detours, and even roadblocks. But for one with grit and tenacity, anything is possible. In between Diane’s stories—including her bouts with isolation, loneliness, and self-doubt—you’d find much wisdom and optimism, reminding us of the power of believing in yourself and chasing big dreams.
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Ballet beginnings
“I discovered my love for dancing at a very young age—around four or five,” Diane tells The POST. “It naturally came with my growing love for music. Every year at my kongkong’s (grandfather) birthday party, my cousins and I would put together a dance number and perform.”
There was something exhilarating about being in front of an audience, she shares, that she knew it was something she wanted to keep doing. Ballet beckoned to her early. “When I was in kindergarten, I started getting curious about ballet. I remember watching a performance at school and thinking, ‘I want to do that. I want to be like those girls who spin, jump, and do the splits,’” she recalls. Diane was so enamored that she asked her mom if she could take ballet classes.
“But I was a chubby kid,” she chuckles. “She told me to wait until I was a little older, when I could take care of myself better and maybe lean out a bit.” Diane’s mom first signed her up for a hip-hop class one summer, knowing how much her daughter loved to move. Finally, at age 10, Diane started taking classes at the Halili-Cruz School of Ballet. The rest, as they say, is history.
But Diane’s love for dance isn’t limited to ballet. “I ended up exploring and loving other styles when I joined the ICA Dance Troupe in high school. It was almost inevitable since I loved pop music,” she muses.
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The move to NYC
Little did Diane know that 11 years later, she would be dancing her way through that metaphorical concrete jungle where dreams are made of. “As clichéd as it sounds, I fell in love with New York City the first time I visited at nine years old. There was just something about the energy that completely drew me in,” she says. “And, of course, the deep appreciation for the performing arts here made me dream of making it as a dancer one day.”
Diane considers herself “lucky enough” to have moved to the Big Apple for college, earning a bachelor’s degree in New Media and Digital Design from Fordham University. Since moving to NYC, she has amassed many good memories, from performing at the Ballet Arts Showcases to taking spontaneous walks around Central Park or Riverside Park.
It’s the friends who have become family, above all, that truly make the city feel like home for Diane. “Many of my closest friends here are also from Manila, which makes it even more special. After a hectic week, nothing beats spending time with them.”
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Detours and roadblocks
Despite living a life that for many only exists in Hollywood movies, living la vida NYC isn’t always a walk in the park or Instagram worthy. “One of the biggest challenges, of course, is being an international student,” she shares. “There are incredible opportunities I’d love to go for, but my status in the country is always a factor.”
Diane admits that there have been instances when it felt almost impossible to find opportunities that excite her. Nonetheless, she has learned to appreciate even the small opportunities, even if they’re not directly related to the work she ultimately wants to do, recognizing how these moments have led her to people who genuinely want to support her in her journey.
Another challenge, she adds, is embracing her identity as a Filipino-Chinese artist. Diane shares that unlike many dancers, she didn’t have traditional training growing up. “My journey has been anything but linear, and at times, that has made it feel lonely,” she says. “I don’t know anyone else with the exact same path, and sometimes I can’t help but think about the gaps in my training compared to peers who grew up in studios or programs with world-class training.”
Diane has come to recognize, however, that this unconventional path is what makes her the artist she is today. She has also started honing her craft as a filmmaker, which has deepened her understanding of storytelling, which is as much a pillar to dance as it is to film.
Despite these hiccups, Diane couldn’t help but be thankful for New York City’s vibrant dance scene, which she describes as one of the most diverse, supportive, and groundbreaking in the world. Living in NYC allows her to meet and work with fellow dancers who come from all walks of life. “It’s fascinating to see that, while we’re different, we’re also united by a shared language and love for the art of dance,” she shares.
“Coming from the Philippines, it’s especially inspiring to see Asians—and people of Asian descent—making waves in the industry as dancers and choreographers,” Diane adds. She considers herself fortunate to have learned from artists with Filipino roots like Karla Puno Garcia, an Emmy Award-winning choreographer, and Pauline Casino.
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Morsels of wisdom
In her own way, Diane embraces—and promotes—her roots by finding spaces and communities that specifically support and celebrate Filipinos and Asians in the performing arts. “What’s great about NYC is that you’re bound to cross paths with another Filipino or someone who appreciates Filipino and Asian cultures. That’s one of the things I love most about this city—the communal spaces are endless. If you make the effort to seek out and be part of these spaces, you’ll be surprised by how much people want to help and support you.”
Now 28, Diane says the greatest lesson she has learned so far is to “unapologetically embrace” all that you are. “Not every day feels great. There are moments when I question my path and wonder if I truly belong here,” she explains. “But reminding myself that I am enough—and that I’m worthy of being here and pursuing this journey simply because I am here—helps me stay grounded.”
Diane believes that the Philippines has some of the best dancers in the world. “When people say Filipinos are incredibly talented—that we can dance, sing, and are natural-born performers—I truly believe it.” She laments, however, that most Filipinos have been raised with the mindset that anything that has to do with the creative industry is more of a hobby rather than a viable career path, “simply because it’s not seen as lucrative.”
This, however, shouldn’t deter those who want to pursue a career in the arts. For those planning to chart the same course in life, Diane advises to focus on your own path and what you have to offer. “Keep your eyes on the prize, but also stay open to how things unfold and take shape,” she advises. “Being an artist is never a straightforward journey, but it is incredibly rewarding and meaningful.”
She adds that it’s crucial to know your purpose and what you want to contribute to the greater good. Part of the journey, Diane enthuses, is learning how to be okay with looking foolish because not everyone is bold enough to take risks and do whatever it takes to get what they want. Those moments of discomfort are often the stepping stones to growth and success, she says.
Lastly, Diane stresses that you should always be grateful for your support system more than anything. “You know that saying, ‘It’s not about the destination nor the journey, but it’s the company’? The people who walk alongside you on this path are what make this journey so remarkable.”
