THE BRIDGE:
Nai-Ni Chen Virtual Dance Institute of boundary-breaking dance experiences from leading dance makers and teachers from diverse communities~~

This week's guest artists:
Rei Akazawa-Smith & Amalia Suryani

Open to All Dancers at an Intermediate to Advanced Level
~meet the artists after the class~

Monday through Friday at 11:00 AM EST
Free 1-hour Virtual Master Class!

Please register for the Zoom classes here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYME268V3ig68MEhPclpkP2_-a3VKKYo3s7DsJgDOJOJbzng/viewform?gxids=7628

~Mon. March 1, 11AM EST
~Kinetic Spiral with Yuka Notsuka

Tapping into the creative energy of the universe through Kinetic Spiral. Nai-Ni Chen's signature technique is based on the principle of ever-changing universal forces of Yin and Yang. Dance phrases from Nai-Ni Chen's repertory will be taught by Yuka Notsuka. Born in Fukuoka, Japan, Notsuka is a member of the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company. She began her Ballet training in her hometown at age 4. Later, Yuka moved to New York City; in 2015, she entered the Ailey School as a scholarship student. She performed in Ailey Spirit Gala Concert at Lincoln Center, choreographed by Tracy Inman (Co-Director, The Ailey School) and Robert Battle (Artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater). Yuka joined the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company in 2017.

~Tues. March 2, 11 AM EST
~Rei Akazawa-Smith teaches Modern (Taylor-inspired)

Join Rei Akazawa-Smith for an exciting modern dance class. Rei has danced with the Paul Taylor Dance Company as well as working with Mihi Orihara, HT Chen and others. Born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, she began her ballet training in the technique of Royal Academy of Dance under the direction of Yuko Kojima. She graduated cum laude with a B.F.A. in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College, receiving the Gold Key for Excellence in 2009. While a student there, she assisted in teaching and demonstrating Graham Technique Master Classes for Miki Orihara and Alessandra Prosperi. She has danced with H.T. Chen and Dancers, Douglas Dunn and Dancers, and played the role of Eliza in The King and I at Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia. She participated in The Taylor School Summer Intensive in 2012 and was asked to join Taylor 2 immediately afterward. Since joining the company, she has also appeared with Paul Taylor Dance Company.

~Wed. March 3, 11AM EST
~Kinetic Spiral with Nai-Ni Chen

Tapping into the creative energy of the universe through Kinetic Spiral. Nai-Ni Chen's signature technique is based on the principle of ever-changing universal forces of Yin and Yang. Dance phrases from Nai-Ni Chen's repertory will be taught. Nai-Ni Chen has been hailed as a Spiritual Choreographer by Dance Magazine and is the recipient of multiple choreographic fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Nai-Ni Chen has been creating dances professionally for over thirty years in the United States. Chen has built a diverse repertory of over 80 original works and toured to major venues in the US and international contemporary dance festivals in 12 countries. She will be teaching her signature technique--KINETIC SPIRAL--which is a blend of the dynamic, ever-evolving spirit of contemporary dance and the grace and splendor of the Chinese artistic traditions.

~Thurs. March 4, 11AM EST
~Kinetic Spiral with Greta Campo

Greta Campo is the Associate Artistic Director of the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company. She began her dance training in her native Milan at the Carcano Theater, where she was first introduced to Martha Graham’s work. She performed with the Martha Graham Dance Company in their 2012 New York Season and later on their international tour. Greta is a recipient of the 2016 Rising Star Award from the Fini Dance Festival.

~Fri. March 5, 11AM EST
~Amalia Suryani teaches West Sumatran Indonesian Dance

Join us for an Indonesian-style warm-up to loosen your joints and muscles. We will then dive into the West Sumatran Dance Style! Starting with the basic body bend posture (kudakuda), hand movements, steps and head movements; followed by basic choreography from West Sumatran dances. Amalia Suryani and Indonesian folk dance are inseparable. In 2006, she founded Saung Budaya, a New York-based dance group composed of Indonesian diaspora students and young professionals that have a mission to educate the young Indonesian diaspora about their roots through culture. Over the last 15 years, they have performed widely, from Lincoln Center to inside/out at Jacob's Pillow. Under Amalia's direction, Saung Budaya developed not only to educate, but also to share their passion for Indonesian culture with our global community through dance, music, language and storytelling.

Experience the power of diverse dance! ~~