Today’s podcast is a re-airing of an interview with Nai-Ni Chen on Movers & Shapers from February 2018. Nai-Ni passed away unexpectedly on December 12, 2021 in a swimming accident in Hawaii.
Since starting her dance company Nai-Ni Chen Dance in 1998, her choreography has brought the dynamic freedom of American modern dance together with the elegant splendor of Asian art. Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company has been one of the most visible Asian American dance companies in America, touring nationally and internationally over the last 30+ years. Her signature technique, Kinetic Spiral, is a fusion the dynamism of contemporary dance with the essence of Chinese traditional art. As a beloved member of the New Jersey and NYC dance communities, she will be deeply missed and her work and spirit will continue to resonate with everyone she touched.
For more on this episode: Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast
Today's guest is Loni Landon. Loni is a Dancer, Choreographer, and Movement Consultant based in New York City. In addition to creating dances for her own collective Loni Landon Dance Project, her work is commissioned by dance companies and film directors across the country. Born and raised in New York City, Loni performed with Aszure Barton and Artists, Ballet Theater Munich, Tanz Munich Theater, and The Metropolitan Opera, and is a Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship Winner.
As a sought after choreographer, her work has been commissioned by such institutions as The Joyce Theater, Keigwin and Company, BODYTRAFFIC, The Juilliard School, American Dance Institute, Northwest Dance Project, and Groundworks Dance Company. Her company has performed at The Joyce Theater, Pulse Art Fair, Jacob’s Pillow, Insitu Dance Festival, Bryant Park, Beach Sessions in Rockaway Beach and Guggenheim Works and Process Series.
Loni has won numerous choreography awards, with residencies at New Movement Residency at USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation New Directions Choreography Lab, ITE, NYU, CUNY Dance Initiative, Kaatsbaan, and Stephen Petronio’s new residency center. She has been adjunct faculty at NYU, Barnard, SUNY Purchase, and Princeton University.
Loni is passionate about Entrepreneurship in the Arts and has co-founded THE PLAYGROUND, an initiative designed to give emerging choreographers a place to experiment, while allowing professional dancers to participate affordably. The Playground was recognized by Dance Magazine as a 25 To Watch. As well as four/four presents, a platform that commissions and presents collaborations betweens dancers and musicians.
For more on this episode: Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast