What’s in a Tap Dancer’s Bag with Mandy Tse
Making music with her feet, Hong Kong based tap dancer Mandy Tse puts rhythm and soul into every flap, shuffle, riff, glide and stomp. What does it take to make it as a tap dancer? Let’s start by taking a look into Mandy’s dance bag! (Mandy)
Mandy
What do you put in your dance bag for a rehearsal? And for a performance?
As a tap dancer, tap shoes are like a part of my body, it's a must-have for rehearsal. I also have a screwdriver in case I’ll need to adjust the tightness of the screws on my tap shoes for producing different sounds. During the creative process and rehearsals, a notebook and camera are essential. They help me refine my ideas and review my dance performance. Last but not least, I have a water bottle to keep me hydrated!
For a performance, I have my makeup bag and earphones. I like listening to music before a performance to help beat those pre-performance butterflies. Most of the time there’ll be a long wait between stage rehearsals and the actual show, therefore, a zip-up hoodie is perfect for keeping myself warm and at the same time, won’t mess up my make-up and hair. Sometimes I’ll bring along my portable tap board depending on the venue.
What’s the one item in your bag that you could not live without, and why?
In terms of dance, it would be my tap shoes, my important “dance partner”!
What advice do you have for those who want to be a professional dancer?
Never give up on what you love! A dancer’s path is not easy especially in Hong Kong. You may go through some hard times such as getting injured, having an unstable salary, or
things just not working as planned even though you’ve worked so hard on it. In situations like these, I’d suggest giving yourself a break in order to find some inspiration. If you want to be a professional dancer rather than just dancing as a hobby, please remember to never ever give up! Good things always take time!
Also, be open-minded and keep learning. Study the history of what you’re learning. Different styles of dance can help you know more about your body and improve your musicality.
My last advice would be to always work hard and enjoy the journey of being a professional dancer!
Don’t lose the beat, and stay in the groove. Every successful dance class, rehearsal and performance begins with good preparation. So pack your bags and start tapping the day away!