Creating with Kuang-Ying

This is a file photograph of my new music composer for this project, Kuang-Ying Chuang. Working with her is such a joy and I think we are both quite adventurous as artists. The happy connection with Kuang-Ying was made over the summer through a dear friend Chieh-Hua (Jeff) Hsieh, choreographer and artistic director of Anarchy Dance Theatre. We are halfway through our creative process for the group piece and I'm excited for the possibilities that the new cast of dancers will bring to the development of our work. This collaboration is truly a dream come true, and Kuang-Ying and I are dreaming of future projects and travels together. I love the friendships that are being built throughout this production journey. I'm so glad for the many people encounters and interactions. Somehow I feel nothing is by accident and there will be strings that tie and lead us to other things.

Palace of Dreams

Moving forward...The short space of time to breathe and think is great. It helps me get an overall perspective of the destination and goals of this project. Somehow it is much more than completing a degree. The project has gained a value and purpose in itself and this production will carry the weight of many hours of research, deep thinking,improvising, constructing,deconstructing,re-structuring and much more. I have gained tremendously in my learning through this process not just by creating works of art, but through the wide interaction of people I have partnered with to make this happen. And the roots of this work go even deeper, many years ago to the time when I first was accepted as a student at TNUA. It's been a long journey across continents and time zones,cultures and traditions,principles and beliefs, learning and growing, living and being. It wasn't always easy, but it was always purposeful. And my life is forever changed. I love walking through the doors of impossibility and making a way...it will be an inheritance for those who come after me. It's important to know we do not live life for ourselves, but how we choose to live today will be the history that shapes lives for generations after. Let's leave behind a beautiful palace for the fulfillment of dreams.

Building...A Time for New Things

This week was another crux in my journey...I think if all of what has happened since I began working on this project in Taiwan last summer, was mapped into a dance, it would be quite the interesting landscape of structure and choreography. Smiles. The change pedal was pushed again.

The past weeks have been very difficult  for me and my dancers, because their busy schedules have actually made a huge impact on their time availability and ability to commit to this dance project whole-heartedly.

So here's where we make brave decisions and step out in faith. It feels like I'm walking on water.

I believe new dancers will be found, and with passion and energy will perform these dances they way they should be danced.

I think of buildings now...I have been dreaming of buildings...somehow without the right foundation you can't build things right. The core of your heart, your being, if not present, makes what you do what you create empty and for me at least that is meaningless.

So I will believe in miracles and for a new team to emerge even though the hour is late.

I am so glad I am still bursting with enthusiasm to keep doing this project...and I will...till we reach out journeys end. Smiles to your day.