Mia J. Chong
Director, Choreographer, and Art
Mia currently choreographs throughout the Bay Area, serves as Co-Artistic Director of ODC/Dance, and is the founding Artistic Director of contemporary dance company EIGHT/MOVES.
She received her dance training from Kirov Academy of Ballet, San Francisco Ballet School, the Ailey School, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, the School at Jacob’s Pillow, BANDALOOP, and ODC School, where she began her training from age 5. Mia went on to enjoy a performing career that spanned over a decade with companies including Post:ballet, Robert Moses’ Kin, Dance Theatre of San Francisco, San Francisco Symphony, Concept o4, and ODC/Dance, where she earned a Princess Grace Award and Chris Hellman Dance Honor for her work as a company dancer.
Venue Picks
I have to start with my home base! ODC Theater is a space like no other. It’s an art hub where established artistic voices and emerging experimenters coexist, and everything from dance and music to circus, theater, and interdisciplinary work gets a spotlight.
I’m especially excited for REYES Dance (May 21-23) and Laptopera Productions (May 29-31) coming up this month!
Dance Mission Theater holds such an important place in the Bay Area dance ecosystem. I grew up watching so many incredible artists not only present work there but also build community through classes, rehearsals, and creative process. There’s always something exciting brewing in the space.
I’d recommend taking house class with Nicole Klaymoon, director of Embodiment Project (Mondays at 6:45pm), and checking out shows like the training ground sf’s “HomeGrown” & “The GroundWorks” directed by Karah Abiog (May 22-24). Nicole and Karah have inspired me since I was a kid dancing around the Bay, and their work is sure to inspire you, too!
Rite Spot is my spot! All of my friends know that this is one of my favorite gathering places in the city – before shows or after rehearsals, this is a great space to talk art with friends, collaborators, and conspirators. I just love how much creative energy passes through the space – the rotation between live music, spoken word, comedy, and karaoke with live accompaniment keeps things fresh with a warm neighborhood energy that feels distinctly San Francisco. Highly recommend grabbing the Joy Division off the cocktail menu and the garlic pasta with friends before seeing your next show in the Mission.
Make-Out Room is such a vibrant part of the Bay’s nightlife and performance culture. I’ve spent many nights there dancing with friends, discovering new music, and watching incredible drag artists. I have to shout out Clutch the Pearls, a monthly drag show produced by Eric Garcia/Churro Nomi and Detour Productions – it’s such a joyful, supportive, and creative space for emerging and established drag performers to completely go for it (my secret dream is to make my drag debut here!). Go check out Make-Out Room!
Z Space is one of those rare venues that always invites risk-taking and interdisciplinary experimentation. I grew up seeing shows here, so years later, when my own dance company EIGHT/MOVES made its debut at the venue, it was a special moment. It’s a beautiful place to experience adventurous work and engage with the artistic community in the Bay.