Inclusive Media Initiative Creator Q&A: Daniel Zhu
Where creativity, culture, and identity come together: An interview with Daniel Zhu, Founder of Stance.
Pixability’s Inclusive Media Initiative amplifies the voices of diverse creators, fostering representation and connection across digital media. By showcasing YouTube creators from varied backgrounds and identities, we aim to challenge stereotypes and celebrate inclusivity.
Street culture has always been more than music, dance, or fashion. It’s a global language born from diverse communities whose voices carry stories of resilience, innovation, and pride. At the heart of this cultural movement is intersectionality, the idea that race, culture, and identity are deeply connected in shaping people’s lived experiences.
For over a decade, Stance has been documenting, celebrating, and elevating street dance and street culture around the world. From breaking battles in New York to hip hop showcases in Seoul, Stance has created a platform where artistry and identity collide, and where the global creative community can learn from one another.
As part of Intersectionality Month, we sat down with Daniel Zhu, founder of Stance, to explore how these intersections shape not just dance, but the communities behind it.
Theresa: Tell us about how you founded Stance and how you became a global media production company.
Daniel: Everyone at Stance comes from a dance background. I started out in 2001 as a breaker in the Midwest, and over the years I’ve lived and danced in places like West Africa, Asia, and Europe. Along the way, I met so many creative friends and felt inspired to document this amazing culture from our perspective. That’s what led to starting Stance in 2014. Today, with team members spread across multiple continents, we’re able to share and cover the dance scene on a truly global level.
Theresa: Street dance and urban culture often come from diverse, underrepresented communities. How do you honor those origins while helping the culture grow globally?
Daniel: I’ve always been deeply curious about where our dance cultures come from, what they look like today, and where they can go in the future. Being part of these communities means we’re constantly learning—and then sharing that knowledge with our audience. There’s a phrase in our culture, “Each One, Teach One,” and I connect with that because there’s always so much to discover. Leaders across different dance styles have recognized our authenticity and support, and that’s a big part of why we’ve built such a strong core audience.
Theresa: In your experience, how does representation in dance impact how people see themselves and their place in the culture?
Daniel: The dances we feature are rooted in underrepresented voices. When we launched Stance in 2014, our focus was on just one or two styles. Over time, we’ve grown to showcase a wide range of street dance forms, and the response has been incredible. Our audience and community continue to expand, and I’ve had dancers tell me they never imagined seeing their style represented to such a large audience. In many cases, that visibility has opened new doors and opportunities for them as well.
Theresa: What barriers have you seen artists face because of their race, culture, or identity, and how can platforms like Stance help remove them?
Daniel: Not every country or community has the same resources to promote their dance. A lot of dancers don’t have access to things like training spaces, travel funds, visas, or sponsorships. Since we travel often and keep our gear light, we’re able to shine a spotlight on underrepresented voices around the world—giving them an audience they might not otherwise reach.
Theresa: You work with artists from all over the world. What are some of your favorite projects and why do they stand out to you?
Daniel: In 2022, I directed the first documentary series about breaking that debuted on The Olympics Channel. The 5 part series had us filming in New York, Alaska, Colombia, India, Senegal, and France. Places diverse in backgrounds, but with similar themes of how dance changed their lives and their path to Olympic qualifying. As much as I love our social media work, I was really happy to create medium and long format pieces that had more storytelling.
Theresa: Can you share a moment or an artist’s story where race, culture, and identity came together in a powerful way through your content?
Daniel: About 13 years ago, I met a young Filipino-American dancer named Ives Viray from Alaska. At the time, I didn’t even know there was a breaking scene in Alaska—so seeing his crew not only exist, but be that good, really blew me away. Coming from a small town myself, I felt instantly inspired. I filmed them right away and kept in touch, creating more content together over the years. I also made a point to push Ives’ name to events and sponsors whenever I could.
Fast forward: three years ago, I had Ives featured in our Olympics documentary. Then, just last year at the Red Bull BC One World Finals in Brazil, he made it all the way to the finals. Even though he didn’t win, the entire Brazilian crowd was on their feet chanting, “Icey Ives!” Hearing thousands of voices cheer for a kid from Alaska—it gave all of us chills.
Theresa: Stance has an impressive social community and following. What is your advice for up-and-coming creators trying to build their communities?
Daniel: We divide our community into 3 categories: core, enthusiasts, and mainstream. Core would be the dance scene we communicate daily. Enthusiasts would be like our parents and relatives who would support, but not be as involved. Mainstream would be people who stumble upon our footage and celebrity reposts.
Keep making your content more appealing to enthusiasts and mainstream while not neglecting your core. Trial & error new formats, pay attention to what works, and keep at it! That has been my formula.
Theresa: What’s next for Stance and what can your 4M+ YouTube followers look forward to seeing from you?
Daniel: The World Finals of Red Bull Dance Your Style will be in Los Angeles this October for the first time, and I am so excited because our home base is in Los Angeles. I am so ready to show our wonderful city to hundreds of international dancers, guests, and to thousands of global viewers! This event every year does very well on our channel, and having it in Los Angeles makes it even more special. I can’t wait!
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