Nai-Ni Chen and the Ahn Trio

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company in DRAGONS ON THE WALL
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company in DRAGONS ON THE WALL

Year: 2012-2013
DanceForce Member: Mohawk Valley Partnership
Artist: Nai-Ni Chen
Community Partners: Hamilton College; Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute, Utica; Stanley Center for the Arts, Utica
Audience: 955
County: Oneida

As always, our goal is to provide our community with an opportunity to see dance and participate in classes with the guest artists. Michelle Reiser-Memmer and I met throughout the year to organize the events surrounding the Nai-Ni Chen residency. This year, the contributions of Serena Belmont, our Arts in Ed partner, were limited once her program lost its funding.

Nai-Ni Chen and Company arrived on Thursday, October 18, 2012 to teach a master class for the intermediate dancers at MWPAI (photos available) before their technical rehearsal at Wellin Hall. The school show began at 10:30am on Friday, October 19, during which the company presented excerpts of “Temptation of the Muses” with introductions and commentary by Nai-Ni Chen. At 1:00pm following the show, Nai-Ni Chen and Company conducted a master class at Hamilton College for a mixed group of beginner and intermediate dancers.

The public performance was advertised widely in several publications including MWPAI Performing Arts Brochure, Hamilton College Performing Arts Brochure, and several local papers. A reporter attended part of the school show.

Without our usual connections to schools in our area, Michelle and I offered a free performance. Schools in Syracuse were also offered transportation. Needless to say, the schools were thrilled with the trip to Hamilton College, especially those from Syracuse who also remained on campus for lunch and a chance to talk to the college students.