The Dance Historian Is In: Andy Chiang

This event will take place online via Zoom as well as in person at The Library for the Performing Arts.

In this edition of the Dance Historian is In, Andy Chiang of the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company discusses modern dance icon Bertram Ross, Ross’s work, and his concert with Nai-Ni Chen. Ross taught at NYU and the nearby, at the Mary Anthony Dance Studio on Broadway, where he met and taught Nai-Ni Chen. Chen became one of his favorite students and, in his words, a formidable choreographer. To introduce Nai-Ni Chen to the dance world, Mary Anthony sponsored a concert commissioned two dances from Bertram (Entrances and Exits, and Nocturne), and Nai-Ni Chen showed two dances of her own at the Nicholai Louis Dance Lab.

Chiang examines the wonderful choreographic craft of Bertram Ross in these two works and how it might serve as exemplary choreographic lessons for future generations. The lecture also includes video of Nai-Ni Chen's later work, Movable Figures, following some of the ideas from Bertram Ross's Entrances and Exits, but expanding it in multiple directions.

*A streaming link will be emailed to everyone on the morning of the event for those wishing to attend virtually.

Photo by Sylvia Chiang

Host or Publisher New York Public Library for the Performing Arts