DTSBDC
DANA TAI SOON BURGESS DANCE COMPANY
PERIOD
DTSBDC ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Dana Tai Soon Burgess
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Christine Doyle
ASSISTANT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Felipe O. Moltedo
PHOTOGRAPHY
Francois Achan, Jeff Malet, Sueraya Shaheen, Jeff Watts
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Felipe O. Moltedo
ART COVER
ADDRESS
2745 Arizona Ave, NW Washington, DC, 20016
WEB
www.dtsbdc.org www.slantpodcast.com
SOCIAL MEDIA
@dtsbdc
THIS EDUCATIONAL BOOKLET IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR COMMERCIAL USE. ALL IMAGES AND CONTENT ARE THE PROPERTY OF DANA TAI SOON BURGESS DANCE COMPANY. FOR ANY CORRECTIONS OR INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT DANA@DTSBDC.COM.
DEAR EDUCATOR!
Dance is a universal language—one that transcends cultural and socio-economic boundaries. Through movement, we explore the universality of our shared cultural stories, thus building empathy and that deepens our understanding of the world.
This booklet introduces our educational offerings from choreographic workshops that explore authentic movement and creative expression to modern dance classes based in the theories of Laban, Bartenieff Fundamentals, as well as classical and post modern techniques. These classes and workshops are designed for students, educators, and aspiring artists.
For those preparing to navigate the professional world, our Career Networks Dance series offers invaluable insights into building sustainable artistic careers, while our Curricular Design Program guides institutions to shape robust, forward-thinking dance programs with a global perspective.
Additionally, we are proud to offer select pieces from our celebrated repertory to be remounted on students at your institution, bringing DTSBDC’s artistry to stage. These works are taught by our exceptional company dancers and myself, ensuring a truly immersive and enriching experience for your students.
For over three decades, DTSBDC has touched thousands of lives through performances, residencies, and educational programs. Our repertoire celebrates the diverse stories that make up the fabric of our shared history, and it is a joy to expand this mission through teaching and collaboration.
Thank you for considering DTSBDC as a partner in your educational journey. We hope you will join us in using the universal language of dance to inspire the next generation of dance artists.
Warmly, Dana
Tai Soon Burgess
Photo: Francois Achan at the National Dance Institute NM
EDUCATOR!
Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company (DTSBDC) creates and performs modern dance works that explore intersectional identities – the flowing together of diverse perspectives, histories, and traditions that result in shared audience understanding.
Now in its 31st season, DTSBDC is a culturally diverse company that performs modern dances that uplift, inspire, and bring new insights to seasoned dance lovers and new audiences alike.
The premier modern dance company in the Washington, DC metropolitan area,
DTSB
DTSBDC also tours throughout the United States and around the world. The Washington Post described the Company as “not only a Washington prize, but a national dance treasure,” and the Washington City Paper’s 2023 and 2024 Reader Poll named DTSBDC as the “Best Dance Company of DC”.
DTSBDC is the national leader in the movement to collaborate with and perform at visual arts institutions. The Company is uniquely able to nurture and serve both dance and visual arts audiences. It creates new works inspired by cuttingedge exhibitions,
hosts open rehearsals, offers educational programming, and through its touring provides opportunities for audiences to experience dance as well as understand – and witness – its creative process.
Washington City Paper’s 2023 and 2024
Reader Poll named DTSBDC as the “Best Dance Company of DC”
In 2016, DTSBDC was named the Smithsonian Institution’s firstever resident dance company where the Company worked for seven years with the National Portrait Gallery curators and historians to create and perform dances inspired by the exhibitions. Other visual arts museums and partnerships include the Arts Club of Washington, the National Gallery of Art, the Kreeger Museum, the Noguchi Museum, and the University of New Mexico Art Museum among others. In 2024, the Company began its participation in the year-long John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Social
DTSB DC
Impact
Community Partnership Program.
DTSBDC has also collaborated with other organizations in Washington, DC and beyond including the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the DC Mayor’s Office of Asian Pacific Islander Americans, DC Public Library System, DC Public Schools, NASA, the U.S. State Department, and more.
DTSBDC has been presented extensively, including at the Asia Society, Arena Stage, the Baltimore Museum of Art, La MaMa, Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, the Korean Cultural Center, NYU Skirball Center for
the Performing Arts, the Sylvia and Danny Kaye Playhouse, Towson University, the United Nations, the University of New Mexico, Washington University, as well as at the White House at the invitation of President and First Lady Michelle Obama.
As a U.S. State Department cultural representative, DTSBDC has toured internationally to five continents and over 30 countries including Cambodia, China, Ecuador, Egypt, Germany, India, Israel, Jordan, Latvia, Mexico, Mongolia, Panama, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela, to name a few.
EDUCATION
DTSBDC oversees and implements Lower, Middle, and Upper School dance programs in the DMV. The company provides ongoing weekly classes, master classes, and end of semester performance oversight for both public and private schools.
DTSBDC uses unique tools to enhance students’ understanding and appreciation for diverse identities, backgrounds, and cultures. These include Burgess’s dance history book Milestones in Dance History published by Routledge/Taylor & Francis, and his memoir, Chino and the Dance of the Butterfly: A
Memoir , published by University of New Mexico Press about his journey as an openly gay, KoreanAmerican artist who grew up in a Hispanic and Indigenous community. Free copies of each are provided to the senior dance students each semester. DTSBDC is also engaged by and partners with national and international dance institutions and universities, creating programs that inspire and mentor pre professional as well as professionals through workshops and teaching of repertoire works.
EDUCATION
MENTORSHIP
“ I AM SO HAPPY ABOUT WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED FOR OUR STUDENTS, AND COULDN’T HAVE HAD A BETTER PARTNER.
-LIZ
SAL GANEK, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR NDI
EDUCATION & MENTORSHIP
MENTORSHIP
Mentorship is an important aspect of DTSBDC. The Company continues with its Emerging Movements: Young Choreographers of Color program which offers the opportunity to those interested in choreography to have their works reviewed by Dana Tai Soon Burgess and invited studio audiences. The current program includes four DTSBDC dancers, one of whom is Black, two Asian Americans, and the other a Latino member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Company also provides two internships to high school dance students each year. Interns take dance classes and assist with dance productions.
EXAMPLE OF CLASS OFFERINGS
DTSBDC is committed to provide the highest standard of dance education, rooted in artistry, innovation, and inclusivity. Our classes and workshops are thoughtfully designed to inspire creativity, foster technical excellence, and equip students with the tools they need to thrive in the dance world and beyond.
We take pride in collaborating closely with host institutions to create comprehensive educational plans tailored to their unique needs. Below are a few examples of the classes that we offer
MODERN DANCE
DTSBDC teaches intermediate and advanced modern dance classes which are based in Laban, classical modern, post modern, and ballet techniques combined with DTSBDC’s unique movement style. A special emphasis is placed on technical prowess, agility, intricate combinations, and musicality.
CHOREOGRAPHY
This two-part workshop explores choreographic methods including improvisation for authentic movement exploration, dance phrase manipulation, spatial design, and musicality. Students explore self-generated themes to create solos which are presented to the dance class as a community for feedback.
COMPANY REPERTOIRE
Institutions can select from a range of repertoire from current and past seasons that highlights DTSBDC’s signature style—a fusion of technical precision, emotional depth and cultural narrative. Each piece will be taught by Dana Tai Soon Burgess and Associate Artistic Director, Felipe Oyarzun. Moltedo, ensuring an immersive learning environment for your students. This is more than a chance to learn choreography; it’s an opportunity to engage with the creative process and to explore the nuance and artistry behind each work. Our team is happy to collaborate with your institution to select pieces that align with your program’s vision and aesthetic interests. These works may be performed in a joint or separate concert.
CAREER NETWORKS IN DANCE
A dynamic series of conversations with dance professionals that guides the pre-professional dancer through how to strategically plan their next steps as a professional dancer or a choreographic artist engaged in personal projects. Discussions take into account the students’ personal interests and questions, often including subjects such as how to assess the job market of dance, what factors make a dancer/artist employable, how to build community relations, and what is the state of the international dance marketplace. Other interrelated subjects include the relationship of fundraising and publicity, self-promotion, and dance writing.
CURRICULAR DESIGN
DTSBDC works with educational institutions to guide their dance program assessment process. Through a multifaceted investigation of focused discussions about course design, syllabi, class visits and interviews with faculty, current students and alumni, an agreed upon strategic plan is developed. This plan outlines programmatic goals, both short and long-term, defines action steps and milestones, and works toward the creation of a curricular map. Maps are created to ensure a clear path by which faculty work with students over a 4 year time period ensuring that students master clear dance technique, creative skills goals, understanding of both national and global dance history and attain necessary arts management skills to move from the preprofessional into the professional realm.
TEACHER BIOGRAPHY
Dana Tai Soon Burgess is a leading American choreographer, dancer, and cultural figure known worldwide as the “Diplomat of Dance.” In 1992, he founded the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company (DTSBDC), the preeminent modern dance company based in Washington, D.C.
As the Company’s artistic director, his work explores the idea of cultural “confluence” with many of his dances focusing on the “hyphenated person” – someone who is of mixed ethnic or cultural heritage – and the emotions of belonging and societal acceptance.
He has served as a Cultural Ambassador for the U.S. State Department for over two decades, an appointment he uses to promote international cultural dialogue through “the global language of dance.” He has been awarded three Fulbright Senior scholarships for dance. He has also recently received two prestigious awards – the Selma Jeanne Cohen Dance Lecture Award and the Aaron Stein Memorial Award.
In 2016, Burgess was named the Smithsonian Institution’s firstever Choreographer-in-Residence. From 2016-2023 he created new works inspired by museum exhibitions, participated in public discussions about dance and art and designed educational programming.
The exploration of dance and art is deeply rooted for Burgess. The son of two visual artists he has always approached the stage as a canvas, and the dancers as brush strokes. In 2003, Burgess was one of only three artists featured in the Smithsonian Institution’s “A Korean American Century” – an exhibition highlighting the history and achievements of Korean Americans in the US.
“Dancing the Dream,” marked the Smithsonian’s first exhibition on American dance during this centennial celebration as well. Three portraits of Burgess are part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian and his family archives reside in the American History Museum. He has created works for The National Gallery of Art, The Noguchi Museum, The National Museum of Asian Art, The National Building Museum, The Kreeger Museum, The Baltimore Museum of Art, and The UNM Art Museum to name a few.
Felipe Oyarzún Moltedo is in his twelfth season with Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company. Mr. Moltedo is from Santiago, Chile. He began dancing at the age of 12 and has since received several awards and distinctions, among others, Chile’s Best Dancer Inter-American Circle of Dance Professionals Award. In Santiago, Mr. Moltedo ran his own company, which led to multiple national and international tours. He holds a B.F.A in dance, an M.A. in dance education with honors from the University of Chile, and an M.F.A. in dance from The George Washington University Department of Theatre and Dance. Currently, he is the Assistant Artistic Director for Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company.
Joan Ayap is in her seventh season with Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company. She was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Manila Philippines. Ms. Ayap began her dance training at the Hilil-Cruz School of Ballet and the Philippine Ballet Theatre and Conservatoire. She received her B.S. in interior design from Assumption College, San Lorenzo, while pursuing a dance career. Her professional experience began with the Philippine Ballet Theatre, where she worked with acclaimed teachers and choreographers including Gener Caringal, Ronilo Jaynario, Anatoli Panasiukov, Enrico Labayen, Tony Fabella, Maiqui Mañosa, and Graham Lustig, among others.
In Washington, D.C. she has performed with Bowen McCauley Dance and DC Contemporary Dance Theatre. She is also a former American Rhythm Pro Multi-Divisions competitor Ms. Ayap is on faculty at Georgetown Day School.
Aleny Serna is in her fourth season with the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company. She was born in New Jersey but lived in Asia for 12 years where she received most of her formal dance training in classical ballet and contemporary. Ms. Serna has a degree in Exercise Science and Dance from George Washington University and is currently on faculty at Georgetown Day School.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY,
INCLUSION, AND
ACCESS
DTSBDC continues its commitment to being inclusive, encouraging diversity, ensuring equity, and providing access for those in our organization, our audiences, those who participate in our education programs, and partner organizations. This is embedded in our mission and drives our creative energies.
DIVERSITY
DTSBDC defines diversity as the characteristics and attributes that make each of us unique, which includes race, national origin, disability, age, gender identity, and cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
EQUITY
Equity involves working together to eliminate barriers that prevent the participation of all people and communities in learning about and participating in modern dance. DTSBDC is examining the underlying causes of disparities within our society and strives to address and overcome them through our performances, workshops, presentations, and education programs.
INCLUSION
DTSBDC cultivates inclusion through an environment where people feel supported and listened to and can do their personal best. We develop cultural competence through conversations among our diverse group of dancers. Externally, it is our mission and responsibility to present dance works and teach dance that tells stories about the need for inclusion in our country and how the lack of it needs to change.
ACCESS
DTSBDC strives to provide accessibility to our performances and educational programs not just physically, but also in consideration of economic, geographic, demographic, and cultural barriers. We work to ensure that our arts programs are accessible and transformative for all by removing barriers between our performances and the audience. The Company is compliant with the Americans for Disabilities Act. Performances are free at most venues and offered at reduced pricing at theater venues.
Part of DTSBDC’s internal work on equity is that our Equity Committee discusses its performance season offerings twice a year. The Equity Committee includes dancers, staff, board members, and audience members of diverse perspectives.
DONOR LISTING
We gratefully acknowledge the support of the following corporations, foundations, government agencies, and individuals who supported Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company during our 23-24 season.
Major Supporters
$51,000-150,000
DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
$20,000-50,000
Georgetown Day School*
The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
Patch Canada
March Forth Foundation
The National Endowment for the Arts
Philip L. Graham Fund
$19,000- 5,000
The Share Fund
Dallas Morse Coors Foundation for the Performing Arts
Dwight Stuart Youth Fund
Mary Eccles
Fulbright Scholars
Cary Fuller
Elizabeth Harter
JBG Smith
Ellen Kwatnoski
Maryland Youth Ballet*
Microsoft
Morningstar Foundation
Katia Norri
Jan and Seth Tievsky
Heinz and Liselotte Nehring Stiftung Foundation
$4,000-500
Anonymous (3)
John Ashford
Bloomberg Philanthropies
Ian Burgess
Michael Caplin
Alan Cariaso
Kay Casstevens
Cherry Blossom Giving Circle
Claudia de Colstoun-Werebe
Bianca DeLille
Jameson Freeman and Dana Burgess
Susan Gigli
Sergio Herrera and Kelly Southall
Wayne Hickory
Celia Hoke
Nicole Hollander
Erick Hosaka
Jill and Bill Hudock
Rebecca Klemm
Bonnie Kogod
Richard Kwatnoski
Marcia Lim
Barbara and Robert Liotta
Elizabeth McCallum
Laura McDonald
Kelly Minton
Elvi Moore
Judith Viggers Nordin
Dr. Susan Ohnmacht
Mark Ohnmacht
Eser Ozdeger
Tom Pallas
Stacey Perelman
Young-Key Kim and Bertrand Renaud
Sheri and Robert Rosenfeld
Stuart Ross and Patricia Devine
Teresa Saavedra
Eric San Juan and Jack Davis
Ben Sanders
Marian and Neel Saxena
Scout Properties
Leigh Slaughter
Steve Slaughter
Peter and Judith Storandt
Aaron Tievsky and Frank Delaney
JOIN US IN OUR MISSION TO SHARE THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF DANCE
Every contribution makes a significant difference. Together, we can make our 2025 season the most impactful yet. To make a contribution please scan the QR code below.
STAFF AND BOARD
Leadership
Dana Tai Soon Burgess, Founding
Artistic Director
Christine Doyle, Managing Director
Felipe Oyarzun Moltedo, Assistant Artistic Director
Staff
Bianca DeLille, Development Director
Patch Canada, Public Relations Specialist
Jan Tievsky, Educational Principal
Joan Ayap, Georgetown Day School Teacher
William Robinson, Georgetown Day
School Teacher and Production Assistant
Aleny Serna, Georgetown Day School Teacher
Baylee Wong, Georgetown Day
School Teacher
Isel Perez, Accountant
Electra Hurwood, Intern
Charlie Meisler, Intern
Artists
Anne Sidney, Rehearsal Director
Sarah Halzack, Assistant Rehearsal Director
Carl Gudenius, Lighting Designer
Sigrid Johannesdottïr, Costume Designer
Millicent Scarlett, Resident Musician
Dana Nicole Scott, Resident Musician
Lauren Victor, Resident Photographer
2024 DTSBDC Dancers
Natasha Ames
Joan Ayap
Elias Brzezinski
Tomas Fischer
Trevor Frantz
Felipe Oyarzun Moltedo
Yvonne Faith Russell
Justin Rustle
Aleny Serna
Baylee Wong
William Robinson, Apprentice
Board of Directors
Kelly Moss Southall, President
Jan Tievsky, Vice President
Mary Eccles, Secretary
Jameson Freeman
Susan Gigli
Nicole Hollander
Erick Hosaka, Treasurer
Bonnie Kogod
Ellen Boyers Kwatnoski
Marcia Lim
Leigh Adams Slaughter
Dana Tai Soon Burgess (Ex-Officio)
Biance DeLille (Ex-Officio)
Advisory Board
Shahab Albahar
Kay Casstevens
Josue Castilleja
Mario Castillo
Diane Dragaud
Sara Gay Forden
Sarah Halzack
Joshua Kaufman
Mark Ohnmacht
Steve Oshana
Anatol Steck
Lauren Victor
Yang-Ro Yoon
Steven Zatarga
Organizational Mentors
Patch Canada
Michael Kaiser
