Invited by Tso’s Dance Association of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Associate Professor of Dance Ting-Yu Chen, M.F.A., served as artistic director for a full-evening dance project titled, “Chien-Lien, Lien Chien 2015.” She led a Taiwanese creative team of 20 dancers and award-winning costume and stage designers. The Aug. 15 performance was featured as part of the 2015 Happy Summer Festival at the Kaohsiung City Cultural Center outdoor theater. The festival is sponsored by Legislator Tian-Ling Tsao, the Kaohsiung City Cultural Innovation and Development Association, and Wen-Bao Chang Charity Foundation, among other private and governmental foundations.
Chen was accompanied by several Shenandoah Conservatory music recording faculty. “12 Taiwanese Songs and Dances,” was produced by Chen, Charles B. Levitin Chair in Musical Theatre and Professor of Composition and Musical Theatre Tom Albert, D.M.A., and Director and Associate Professor of Music Production and Recording Technology Golder O’Neill, M.M.E. The production featured Chen’s father, Liong-Shan Hiah (vocalist), as well as Shenandoah Conservatory faculty musicians Earl Yowell (percussion), Glenn Caluda (guitar), Hsin-Yi Chen (piano), Garrick Zoeter (clarinet) and Donovan Stokes (double bass).
Under Chen’s leadership, the team created original artistic experiences for the people of Kaohsiung and the work was well-received within the performing arts community.
View videos related to the performance, including behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage and interviews with artistic leadership as well as the full-length video of “Chien-Lien, Lien Chien” (both videos are in Mandarin Chinese).