MING-BO LAM | Multi-disciplinary creative, educator and dance artist
City: Vancouver Island/Toronto
Instagram: @love.mingbo
Previous work: Toronto Raptors, NBA All Star Weekend, Nike Canada, Sheridan College, Toronto Metropolitan University
Ming-Bo Lam (she/her) is a versatile creative force, educator, and dance artisan, carving a distinct lane through the diverse terrain of Canadian contemporary dance.
With a wealth of over 15 years’ involvement in the field, Ming-Bo is celebrated for her capacity to guide with unyielding empathy, authenticity, and bravery.
In an ever-blossoming career, Ming-Bo has lent her choreographic expertise to theatrical and cinematic ventures, independent dance endeavors, and commissioned works. Noteworthy credits encompass the Much Music Video Awards, the Toronto Raptors’ Dance Pak, The Umbrella Academy, Sogand, PSY, Fashion Art Toronto, and the NBA All Star Weekend. Her performance and choreography in dance films have been showcased by esteemed platforms such as The Dance Current, the Toronto International Short Film Festival, and the Utah Dance Film Festival.
Ming-Bo boasts a diverse and comprehensive educational foundation. She attained an Honours BFA in Theatre Performance Dance from Toronto Metropolitan (Ryerson) University, where she was also chosen as valedictorian. Additionally, she holds a Master’s in Management Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Queens University’s Smith School of Business.
Currently rooted in Tkaronto, Ming-Bo serves as a Dance Faculty member at Sheridan College, a lecturer at TMU, and a contributor to speaking engagements and guest workshops.
More about Ming-Bo Lam
What is your biggest professional achievement?
“Making it through the pandemic and still being connected to my craft. 2020 was the first year that I had an entire year of work booked in advance. I was on track to hit some major goals and was finally recovering from the health challenges that had been holding me back. Then, POOF! Everything was cancelled and I went into hustle mode. Total panic response. Over the next two years, I launched an on-demand dance class platform, filmed over 70 virtual dance classes, was featured in The Kit and Toronto Life, ran six sold-out workshops, led the digital transformation of a Toronto fitness studio, and got a Master in Management Innovation and Entrepreneurship degree, from Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business. Today, I teach at Toronto Metropolitan University and Sheridan College. Making it to this place is my biggest professional achievement so far.”
What obstacles/challenges have you had to face to get to where you are today?
“I struggle with chronic illness, depression, and anxiety. This has meant figuring out how to build a career, in an unforgiving industry, that somehow prioritizes my health and well-being. It’s still something I struggle with daily and am – in many ways – still figuring out. I have also had to grapple with the challenges that come with being a child of an immigrant and choosing to pursue a career in the arts, over something more stable or traditional. There’s a complicated and multi-faceted relationship there which has shaped my grit and resilience, when it comes to following my dance goals. It’s meant I’ve had to fight to pursue my craft and each decision I make in my career carries a lot of weight and consequence.”
What’s something people should know about you?
“I never take my work for granted. It is an honour to share space with my students and play with this craft that I love so deeply! It is am immense privilege to do what I do and I do not take that responsibility lightly.”
