Meet Helen Dang | Dancer & Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Helen Dang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Helen, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Because it’s where I feel most alive—where I can be fully myself and help others do the same.
Dance is where I discovered my voice and my value—not just as a performer, but as a mentor, coach, director and choreographer. It’s how I bring people together, build community, and inspire others to embrace their culture and believe in their limitless potential.
In a world that often feels rigid and serious, art gives us permission to feel. It bypasses language and speaks directly to the soul—whether through joy, pain, or celebration. It’s a universal form of communication that breaks down barriers and reminds us of our shared humanity.
Art is never about being right or wrong. It’s about growth, discipline, and constant discovery. It keeps me curious, humble, and always reaching for something deeper.
Ultimately, I chose this path because it allows me to share, create, connect, and contribute in a way that feels true to who I am.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a professional dancer, choreographer, actor, and martial artist originally from Beijing. What sets my work apart is how I blend street dance, martial arts, and personal identity into my work.
I didn’t plan to become an artist. I moved to Canada at 17 for a business degree, but fell deeply in love with Hip Hop and street dance. It started as a side passion, something I explored in studio corners and late night sessions, but it quickly became my true path.
It wasn’t an easy journey. When I first fell in love with dance, it felt like a secret — my parents didn’t understand or support my passion, especially coming from a culture where street dance wasn’t seen as a real career. But instead of giving up, I let their doubt fuel my drive. Over years of hard work and persistence, they saw the dedication behind the art. Now, nearly a decade later, they’ve become some of my biggest supporters, even helping me create opportunities back in China — a full-circle moment I’m incredibly grateful for.
What started as a hidden passion grew into a full-time career — performing in major film and TV projects like Netflix’s The Christmas Chronicles 2, Disney+’s Descendants 5 and Prom Pact, The CW’s Riverdale, embodying Seraphine for League of Legends: K/DA Worlds, and appearing in commercials for brands like Hyundai and DJI. I’ve had the privilege of working with award-winning choreographers such as Christopher Scott, Galen Hooks, Emilio Dosal, Heather Laura Gray, Mike Song, Amanda May, and Addy Chan.
Beyond my own journey, I’m passionate about lifting others — mentoring the next generation of dancers in the city, helping train them toward pre-professional level, and teaching classes across more than 10 studios in Canada to spread the love and joy of dance to all ages.
Last year I created my own dance film Revenge of the Black Widow, a fusion of everything I love — martial arts, HipHop dance, Chinese culture, and female empowerment. It went on to win awards at multiple film festivals and gave dancers around me their first chance to be seen on the big screen.
If there’s one thing I want people to take away from my work, it’s that our roots and our passions are not separate — they are the source of our power. I hope to keep creating work that encourages others to lean into who they are, to tell their stories boldly, and to build bridges across cultures through art.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend is visiting LA, we would start the day with a walk around Beverly Hills — the neighbourhood, the mall, the fancy vibes. Something about it just makes me feel like a main character.
Then ice cream from Wanderlust is a must. I love with their ube ice cream on a ube cone. Mmm I might have to make a trip there tomorrow just thinking about it.
After that, we will heading to Movement Lifestyle for some dance classes. The energy there is so grounded and supportive, and some of the teachers they bring in are my favorite dancers in the world.
AYCE KBBQ in K-Town for dinner is a no-brainer. Then straight to SomiSomi for some matcha taiyaki, because dessert round two is always part of the LA experience.
To end the day, a sunset beach hang — any beach in LA, they’re all beautiful. Deep talks, snacks, maybe a speaker for some music. That would the perfect way to wrap up a day!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be where I am without the guidance and love of those who believed in me early on.
One person who deserves a huge shoutout is Roberta Bierman, from Vancouver Canada, my teacher and mentor at the start of my dance journey. She saw something in me before I saw it in myself. Her belief helped me recognize my own value and potential through Hip Hop dance. Roberta didn’t just teach me steps — she taught me the culture. She emphasized the importance of learning from the roots, traveling to where the styles originated, finding the OGs, and truly listening to their stories. Her deep respect for Hip Hop history made me a nerd for the culture, and helped me understand that it’s a lifestyle — not just movement. As a female Hip Hop dancer, director, and leader in the community, Roberta inspired me to dream bigger and stay grounded in the culture.
She introduced me to her teams that shaped my growth — TwoFourSeven Company, which I later directed for three years, and Diamonds in the Rough, an all-female street dance crew that taught me sisterhood and strength.
She’s more than a mentor now — she’s family. I wouldn’t be the artist or the woman I am today without her early belief and guidance.

Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13307590

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oohelendang

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@oohelendang