Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company “Korean American Journeys : An Evening of Modern Dance”
Presented by Korean Cultural Center New York
Friday, November 15, 2024, 7:30 PM
Korean Cultural Center New York (122 E 32nd Street, New York, NY 10016)
Admission: FREE (RSVP is required)
*RSVP and seating are on a first-come, first-served basis.
*Limited same-day standby tickets available.
*After the performance, there will be a post-performance Q&A and signing.
◆ Program
Leaving Pusan (2002)
“Leaving Pusan” is based on my grandmother’s emotional and physical departure from Korea in 1903. She voyaged to Oahu, Hawaii where she would work on the Del Monte plantation her entire life.
Choreography: Dana Tai Soon Burgess
Dancers: Natasha Ames, Joan Ayap, Trevor Frantz, Felipe Oyarzun Moltedo, Aleny Serna, and Baylee Wong Understudy: Justin Rustle.
Rehearsal Director: Anne Sidney
Music: “Palmistry” by Jason Kao Hwang
Light Design: Felipe Oyarzun Moltedo
Costume Design: Judy Hansen
Becoming American (2011)
“Becoming American” is based on the real life story of Katia Norri, a dancer with DTSBDC who was adopted from Korea by an American couple in New Jersey. The work delves into her journey to understand her new home.
Choreography: Dana Tai Soon Burgess
Dancers: Natasha Ames, Joan Ayap, Elias Brzezinski, Tomas Fischer, Trevor Frantz, Felipe Oyarzun Moltedo, Aleny Serna, and Baylee Wong
Rehearsal Direction: Anne Sidney
Video Montage: Ricardo Alvarez
Sound Montage: Dana Tai Soon Burgess, Laura McDonald “Eohwaneo” Kim Young Im
Kim Young Im Hwoaesimgog
“Star Spangled Banner” (Piano), Michael Simone USA Vs England - Soccer World Cup 2010
“Suite for Violin and American Gamelan: VII.” Violin Recital: Koh, Jennifer - Higdon, J. - Harrison, L.- Adams, J. - Ruggles, C. (String Poetic)
“Chaconne,” Southwest Chamber Music Composer Portrait Series John Cage, Lou Harrison, and Harry Partch
“String poetic: II. Nocturne” Jennifer Koh & Reiko Uchida
Mrs. Kelleheir ESL Language Teaching “Spectacular /s/”
ESL Learning video
Temple Bells Buddhist Drums, Bells and Chants
Light Design: Felipe Oyarzun Moltedo
Costume Design: Judy Hansen
Set Pieces: Charles and Nina Southall
Props: Kelly Moss Southall
Hyphen (2008)
“Hyphen” represents the turbulent struggle that Asian Americans feel as they solidify their identity in the American cultural tapestry.
Choreography: Dana Tai Soon Burgess
Dancers: Natasha Ames, Joan Ayap, Elias Brzezinski, Tomas Fischer, Trevor Frantz, Felipe Oyarzun Moltedo, Justin Rustle, Aleny Serna, and Baylee Wong
Rehearsal Director: Anne Sidney
Videos: Nam June Paik, Button Happening (1965), Cinema Metaphysique (1967–1972), Hand and Face (1961)
Video Rights: The Nam June Paik Foundation and Electronic Arts Intermix (www.eai.org)
Visual Media Design and Editing: Laura McDonald
Scenic Design: Sara Brown
Music: Ryuichi Sakamoto - Albion Corporation
Music courtesy of Hefty Records
“Sound in a Dark Room Remix (Ryuichi Sakamoto Remix)” Written by Charles Wesley Cooper III & Joshua L Eustis Performed by Telefon Tel Aviv
Courtesy of Ghostly International
Music Montage: Laura McDonald
Light Design: Felipe Oyarzun Moltedo
Costume Design: Judy Hansen
*Programs are subject to change
After the performance, there will be a post-performance Q&A with choreographer Burgess, discussing his memoir "Chino and the Dance of the Butterfly" and his unique modern dance aesthetic, shaped by his Korean American identity. A book signing will follow.
◆ Choreographer DANA TAI SOON BURGESS
Dana Tai Soon Burgess is a leading American choreographer, dancer, and cultural figure known worldwide as the “Diplomat of Dance.” In 1992, he founded the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company (DTSBDC), a preeminent modern dance company based in Washington, D.C.
As the Company’s artistic director, his work explores the idea of cultural “confluence” with many of his dances focusing on the “hyphenated person” – someone who is of mixed ethnic or cultural heritage – and the emotions of belonging and societal acceptance.
He has served as a Cultural Ambassador for the U.S. State Department for over two decades, an appointment he uses to promote international cultural dialogue through “the global language of dance.” He has been awarded three Fulbright Senior scholarships for dance. He has also recently received two prestigious awards – the Selma Jeanne Cohen Dance Lecture Award and the Aaron Stein Memorial Award.
In 2016, Burgess was named the Smithsonian Institution’s first-ever Choreographer-in-Residence. From 2016-2023 he created new works inspired by museum exhibitions, participated in public discussions about dance and art and designed educational programming.
The exploration of dance and art is deeply rooted for Burgess. The son of two visual artists he has always approached the stage as a canvas, and the dancers as brush strokes. In 2003, Burgess was one of only three artists featured in the Smithsonian Institution’s “A Korean American Century” – an exhibition highlighting the history and achievements of Korean Americans in the US. “Dancing the Dream,” marked the Smithsonian’s first exhibition on American dance during this centennial celebration as well. Three portraits of Burgess are part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian and his family archives reside in the American History Museum. He has created works for The National Gallery of Art, The Noguchi Museum, The National Museum of Asian Art, The National Building Museum, The Kreeger Museum, The Baltimore Museum of Art, and The UNM Art Museum to name a few.
Burgess and the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company have received numerous awards and acclamations including the Outstanding Emerging Artist at the 12th Annual Mayor Arts Award (1994), the Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence (2005), seven Metro D.C. Dance Awards, as well as the Pola Nirenska Award which celebrates trailblazers and leaders of the dance community. Burgess received the Paul Ré Peace Prize by the University of New Mexico Foundation for bridging communities around the globe through choreography.
Burgess is the author of Chino and the Dance of the Butterfly: A Memoir by University of New Mexico Press and the editor of and contributor to Milestones in Dance History by Routledge/Francis&Taylor. He is also the host of Slantpodcast.com which focuses on the Asian American arts experience.