Mandy Kwan is dancing down her own path

Mandy Kwan's parents encouraged her to persevere when dance became challenging. <source> Eight nights a week, she takes the stage at His Majesty’s Theatre in London, portraying the Butterfly in “The Phantom of the Opera.” </source> As a 21-year-old Malaysian-Hongkonger, Kwan once only dreamed of such a stage. <source> The Butterfly solo remains her favorite part of the performance. </source> When Kwan encounters fellow Malaysian audience members, she feels a sense of familiarity reminiscent of her home. <source> This feeling of belonging is precious to her, as she grew up between Hong Kong and Malaysia before moving to Britain at age 15. </source> Kwan started ballet at four but found her true passion during competitions, where she could express her feelings and connect with others who shared her love for dance. <source> Today, she is less focused on perfection and more on being humble, kind, and gracious, both to her fellow performers and herself. </source> Kwan faced a difficult decision when her friends went to university, but her mother's support and the realization that measuring her life against others was unproductive helped her stay committed to dance. <source> Her experience at the Youth America Grand Prix Finals in New York, where she became the first Malaysian dancer to reach the finals, further highlighted the global reach of her dream. </source> Now, as part of an international cast in London, Kwan is considering expanding her skills into singing, acting, and musical theatre. <source> She hopes to one day bring all she has learned back to Malaysia. </source> Kwan emphasizes that the most important aspect of her journey is being kind to others and herself.