Courtesy of Fox©

Though still young, Karla has both an impressive reputation and a large YouTube fan base. Most recently seen as a contestant on the hit Fox dance show, Karla has an extensive background ranging from traditional Filipino cultural dance to jazz to hip hop. She was a member of the Broadway touring company of Wicked and is a member of the famous hip hop crew Boogie Bots. She has also performed and taught at dance studios, showcases and venues across the nation.

When performing, Karla captivates the audience with a unique magnetism that one may call the “it” factor. With beautiful technique and honesty in her movement, she creates an experience that the audience begs to enter. From her bird personification in her famous Blackbird solo to her hip hop whacking solos for the Boogie Bots, she always stands out, and according to the unanimous opinion from the panel of judges on “So You Think You Can Dance,” judge Mary Murphy declared her “one of the strongest female dancers” of the season.

While success seems to come easily after the attention from the show, Karla admits that the road she’s traveled hasn’t been smooth. With a career that consistently puts her in the public eye, Karla doesn’t hesitate in sharing that she did battle with weight issues during middle and high school. As a dancer, she says, “You’re thinking, ‘What if I’m not thin enough?’ and it doesn’t even have anything to do with my dancing.”

But as she got older, she became more confident and was able to stop over-thinking her weight. She started seeing a difference in her eating habits. “I would eat when I was hungry and stop when I was full,” she explains, instead of restricting herself, which led to stressful overeating.

Like other artists, she had to reconcile academic pursuits with her passion for dance. With a constantly jam-packed schedule of tough classes and performances and high academic expectations from her parents and herself, the balancing act was stressful. “But I proved that I could get good grades and get into a good college, and they saw how much I wanted to dance, so now they are very supportive because they see what I can accomplish and that I can make a living out of it.”

And indeed, her recent experience on “So You Think You Can Dance” isn’t one the average dancer enjoys. After auditioning multiple times before earning a spot in the top 20 of season 5, Karla participated in one of the most memorable performances the program has ever shown, a touching contemporary piece choreographed by Stacey Tookey and performed with partner Jonathan Platero, as well as a sizzling group piece to the track of I Know You Want Me Calle Ocho by Pit Bull. Many were disappointed with what was felt to be a premature departure for her from the show, which became a lesson to her: “When you’re on a reality show like that, where you have no control over what choreography you get or what camera time you have… all I really wanted to do was dance.” Nonetheless, she is grateful for the exposure it provided her as well as the opportunity to work with many talented people.

Karla’s hopes are high for her future, and she expresses an avid interest in expanding the reaches her creativity. “I’d like to choreograph for a Broadway show or an Oscars someday, and, maybe someday much later, be [an] artistic director of my own dance studio so I can give back to those who are just like me when I started out.”

To aspiring dancers, Karla speaks with a voice of experience and assured maturity. “Don’t change anything about you. If you get critiqued, because it is a harsh industry, don’t be bitter and brush it away. Learn from it because there is some truth at the heart of it, and that’s the only way to improve.”

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In my lifetime, I have loved, lost, crushed, and obsessed like many other girls have. Many tears and a million heartbreaks later, I think I have it figured out. No matter whose fault it is or how complex the situation, the following tried-and-true methods are what heal a broken heart:

1.    Let it out. I started crushing on guys at the tender age of 4. I found them fascinating. I can’t say they felt the same way about me, but that didn’t stop me. A glutton for punishment, I was always left disappointed. After some time, I realized that I could pull through the hurt by writing. I penned many great lyrics, and, along with a heart-wrenching song, I created an outlet to release the emotions. So whether you choose to write, talk to a friend, or blog about it (privately if ranting), get the feelings out and hear yourself say it – whether on paper or outloud. Pent-up emotion is never healthy, and just like a good cry, letting it out can make you feel fifty times better.

2.    Hang out with your friends, but not with an ex, crush, or potential love interest, no matter how good their compliments make you feel. I have to admit that I am a true Leo: I love the spotlight and drama, and usually put myself in situations to invite attention – and have been hurt in the rebound process. Don’t do it. There’s a good chance that your friends and family miss you, and because you’re used to being invested in a serious relationship, transferring that dedication toward your other relationships can be good for everyone. You can still have your dinner dates and social outings – and the best part is that they will be with people who truly love you.

3.    Do something you love. Passion is everything. My refuge is the volleyball court – nothing calms me like the rhythmic thuds of a volleyball, and, of course, the endorphins don’t hurt. Find your passion: If you’re a singer, sing; if you’re a dancer, dance; if you’ve always wanted to learn to cook, go for it.

4.    Make someone happy. When I’m upset, I often end up with a new wardrobe from my second home, the mall. But more important is what I have done for others. I once made my best friend a book for his birthday with a 20-page poem detailing our history with meaningful pictures. I’ll never forget the look on his face when he received it. To this day, I have never been disappointed by doing something nice for someone . Making a difference in someone’s day may just be the best pick-me-up ever.

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A successful and world-renown choreographer, dancer and performance coach, Cindera Che has made her footprint upon numerous entertainment scenes, working with Hollywood stars such as Cameron Diaz, Elizabeth Berkley and Keri Russell. She has also made notable appearances on several big networks, including NBC’s Dancing with the Stars in assisting Kristi Yamaguchi with her winning dance routine, as well as on an episode of The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency on Oxygen.

With a strong dance background of experience in multiple styles, including ballet, jazz, modern, and traditional Chinese culture dance, Che brings a unique perspective using her own training system, titled “The Che Way,” which includes a creative mixture of pilates and yoga. Strong and independent, Che inspires with her story of her path to success and shows us just how rewarding a little hard work can be.

M: When did you first begin to dance?

C: I was six years old when my friend asked me to take ballet with her. She quit in a couple months. I never stopped dancing.

M: What was your childhood like? Were you always confident?

C: I went to a very strict private school. I learned to be obedient and become a hard-working perfectionist. I’ve always done well in school. I knew I had the ability to do well to win good grades and awards. However, such knowledge did not convey self-confidence. I was good at what I did because it was expected of me. I didn’t OWN any of my achievements.

M: What made to decide to pursue dancing?

C: For the first 30 years of my life, I never pursued dance (as a career). It was just always something that I did. Like a good student, I followed the path or “instructions,” and did what I was supposed to do: train, perform, audition and work. My dance teacher in Taiwan, Tso Ging Ling, was very connected with the entertainment industry. There were so many opportunities for me to perform in stage, television and movies. I danced in my first television show at the age of 10.

M: How has your culture played a role in your career?

C: When I was young, I did a lot of Chinese folk dance in which we used a lot of props: fans, drums, sticks, ribbons and plates. It taught me articulation of the hands and fingers and trained me to move with a higher level of consciousness. The focus had to be there to make sure that the props didn’t fall and get tangled! The prop became my dance partner that I needed to respond to and communicate with. It is the communication that I try to put in every piece of my choreography. My culture also broadened my sensibility in rhythm, sounds, smell and taste from which I drew inspiration.

M: How did you earn your first big break?

C: I like that you asked how I “EARNED” my big break. I do believe that saying: when opportunity knocks, one better be ready. I continued to study dance after moving to the U.S. By the time I was 16, I took the bus for 1 and ½ hours from Torrance to Hollywood to take dance classes. I continued the four classes a week schedule for a long time. By then, I also belonged to two dance companies performing around southern California in a variety of venues from county fairs to performing arts concert halls. A teacher/choreographer, Billy Goodson, first noticed me in a dance concert. He spotted me again in a dance class and invited me to attend an audition. It was for ABC’s television show, “Fantasy Island.” That was my first professional onscreen job in the US.

M: What does “The Che Way” aim to achieve?

C: The Che Way is a training system that combines the philosophy of yoga, techniques of Pilates, and dance with the spirit of movement to develop sexy, confident and articulate bodies.

M: What is most attractive about your classes?

C: I strive to create a safe and fun playground for grown ups. The class helps people to calm their minds and be non-judgmental. The choreography is simple but innovative and it offers both challenge and a sense of accomplishment. It is a place where creativity outweighs perfection. It is a place where the winning habit is cultivated.

M: What is the biggest lesson that you’ve learned?

C: The only thing I can truly rely on is myself.

M: What advice would you like to offer to the young Asian-American women of today?

C: I encourage them to embrace their Asian beauty traits, integrate both the Asian and American cultures in their lives and absolutely acquire a strong physical presence. Claim that front and center space on the stage of life. Be seen! Be heard!

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