Speaking Through Dance, Cultivating with Heart — An Exclusive Interview with Los Angeles Dance Educator Yuna He
LAPost / Los Angeles (Wednesday, July 9, 2025) — At the beginning of 2025, Southern California’s dance scene quietly ushered in a wave of innovation, led by a highly accomplished educator from China: Yuna He.
In February, at the California Open DanceSport Championships held in Costa Mesa, a student team made its debut with an electrifying group dance performance. Their presentation impressed the judges and earned the highest score of the day. The mastermind behind the choreography and instruction was none other than Yuna He — a veteran dancer and educator who had just taken on a new role at a professional dance institution in Los Angeles that January.
Yuna He’s journey in dance began in 1997. At just 13 years old, she was admitted to the Redbud International Dance School, a branch of the Guangdong Dance School, where she became one of the first students in China to receive systematic training in International Ballroom Dance (also known as Sports Dance). In 2001, due to her outstanding performance, she was specially admitted to Shanghai University of Sport. In 2002, she won the Latin Dance Championship in the A Group at the National Sports Games of China — a pivotal moment in her life. “Back then, posters of our championship win were all over Shanghai — from People’s Square to Xintiandi to Huaihai Road. That victory helped ignite the city’s passion for Latin dance and brought more people into the community. We felt truly honored.”
After graduating in 2005, she stayed at the university as a faculty member, becoming a professional Latin dance instructor in the Choreography Department. During her tenure, she won the Shanghai Latin Dance Professional Division Championship five consecutive times and frequently appeared on the popular dance variety show Dancing with the Stars China, partnering with celebrities. As a certified international adjudicator with the World Dance Council (WDC), an IDTA-certified Latin dance teacher, and a national-level coach and judge in China, she has earned recognition as an authoritative figure in the field.
In her interview with LAPost, He shared her long-standing philosophy on dance education:
“Dance isn’t just about exams or performances — it’s a way for children to express themselves and build confidence.” This belief is at the core of the “Magnolia Dance” brand she founded in Los Angeles.
“When I started Magnolia Dance, I noticed that parents had high expectations for their children’s dance training, but most studios were either overly entertainment-focused with little real progress, or too results-driven to the point where kids lost interest.” In response, He pioneered a “visible results through joyful learning” model. She implemented a small-class, project-based approach, where each semester culminates in a full-stage production. “Through rehearsals and final performances, students not only master technique but also improve in expression and teamwork. Over time, the curriculum has been refined and widely embraced by both parents and students, giving our studio a strong competitive edge.”
She also emphasizes the role of family in dance education. While in China, she launched popular “parent-child co-dance” programs, encouraging parents to actively participate in their children’s learning and strengthening family bonds through shared movement. In addition, her Zumba fitness classes have served over 800 adult students, helping them collectively lose more than 4,000 kilograms — a testament to her commitment to holistic wellness.
In Los Angeles, she is continuing to build a systematized institution. “Our competition schedule is already booked through the end of the year, with major events in July, August, November, and December. The stage is the best teacher. If the direction is right, children’s growth will surpass their parents’ expectations.”
More importantly, He is building a professional, loving, and stable teaching team. “Outstanding teachers are the most valuable asset. A truly great institution depends on the cohesion and growth of its people. That’s why I’ve introduced a ‘teacher partnership model’ — a collaborative system that gives educators a greater sense of ownership and belonging.” She believes: “One person can go fast, but only a team can go far and last long.”
When asked what makes a great teacher, she responded:
“A great dance teacher must have solid technical skills, of course — but more importantly, they must have integrity and charisma. Dance is not just about movement; it’s about character and grace. A teacher’s words and actions shape students’ values and attitudes in subtle but lasting ways. That’s why we look for qualities like responsibility, compassion, and generosity in our instructors. A truly great teacher doesn’t just teach dance — they help shape lives.”
Looking ahead, He plans to bring the refined teaching and operational systems she developed in China to Los Angeles, providing more Chinese-American families in Southern California with a structured, high-quality pathway for dance education. This includes clear instructional phases, performance opportunities, and transparent communication mechanisms between schools and parents.
From Shanghai to Los Angeles, Yuna He has bridged not only geography, but also cultures, communities, and generations. Through dance, she cultivates deeper values — and plants the seeds of Eastern educational philosophy in the open, diverse soil of Southern California.
— Written by Richard Ren, LAPost
