Sophie Chung: Aerial Artist and Musician

In 2017, I attended a Cirque du Soleil performance in Las Vegas that had me on the edge of my seat. That was the moment aerial arts captured my imagination – a perfect translation of my figure skating background into an art form unconstrained by ice or season. What started as curiosity in 2022 transformed into total captivation when I first clambered onto an aerial hoop and experienced the sensation of spinning in the air, or "flying."

My artistic journey began decades earlier with classical piano and violin, each note instilling a discipline that now steadies my hands in the operating room. There's something striking about a surgical team in flow, resembling an orchestra where each player's timing can make the day run smoothly (or not). In college, I embraced competitive ballroom dance, continuing to find grace in precision. This exploration continues through West Coast Swing and contemporary dance, which, along with aerial arts, have become my sanctuary within the grind of surgical residency.

There are surprising parallels between surgery and flying through air. Both demand absolute presence, intentionality, and economy of motion. There's nothing quite like the exhilaration of a spin or the controlled surrender of a drop – second only to the intensity of a trauma exploration in the operating room.

Beyond the thrill, aerial training brings unexpected advantages to my surgical practice. As a result of the intense flexibility and core training, I've never experienced back pain even after long days of operating – unlike so many of my colleagues!

Sophie Chung is a surgery resident at UCSD.