Sunny Hsieh: From Canada to Citizenship—A Principal Dancer’s American Journey

Sunny Hsieh, a Principal Dancer with Canyon Concert Ballet, admired for his artistry, discipline, and expressive presence on stage.  Beyond the spotlight, Sunny’s journey to becoming an American citizen reveals a story of deep personal commitment, resilience, and love.

Originally from Canada, Sunny moved to the United States in 2017 to be with his wife, Emily—also a dancer in the company. The two met as teenagers while training at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s summer intensive when they were just 16 years old. What began as a shared summer of dance grew into a lasting relationship that would eventually reshape the course of Sunny’s life.

“When we got married in 2017, I moved to the U.S. primarily so I could be with her,” he shares. “It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right one.”

Sunny’s path to citizenship was anything but quick. After years of navigating a complex and exhausting immigration process, he completed his naturalization interview this past January. Soon after, he proudly took the oath of allegiance, officially becoming an American citizen.

“It has been a rather difficult and drawn-out process,” he admits. “So I’m relieved to have made it through.”

In preparing for the civics portion of the naturalization interview, Sunny gained a deeper appreciation for the American Constitution and the freedoms it guarantees.

“Studying American civics made me realize just how many natural-born citizens aren’t familiar with the Constitution—the rights it bestows, why it exists, and how it protects the American people. It gave me a new perspective on what it really means to be American.”

Now a citizen, Sunny reflects on the significance of this milestone with gratitude. “I feel very fortunate to be a U.S. citizen. The freedoms we have here are often overlooked, but it is these very freedoms that give so much opportunity in the US—for both Emily and myself—to pursue our dreams.

As he continues to captivate audiences with his performances at Canyon Concert Ballet, Sunny carries with him not only the discipline of a seasoned dancer but also the quiet strength of someone who chose this country and earned his place in it.