DTSBDC
Founding Artistic Director, Dana Tai Soon Burgess
Executive Director, Christine Doyle
Associate Director, Felipe O. Moltedo
October 25th, 2025 3:00 pm
Pablo Picasso and Jacqueline dancing by David Douglas, Cannes 1957
Artistic Director’s Note
It is an honor to celebrate DTSBDC’s two-year residency at The Kreeger Museum with the presentation of Picasso Dances, a suite of dances inspired by seven of paintings by Pablo Picasso that reside within The Kreeger Museum’s permanent collection. The paintings; Seated Nude Leaning on Pillows, Man with Golden Helmet-after Rembrandt, Still Life with Fruit, Glass, and Newspaper, Fruit Bowl and Glasses, Head of Woman, Cafe de la Rotonde, and Still Life with Ears of Wheat, span Picasso’s prolific career and reflect a unique aesthetic grounded in symbolic representation. Picasso Dances is a moving representation of these paintings, layered with tableaux that reflect the complicated emotional terrain associated with Picasso’s personal relationships.
Sincerely, Dana Tai Soon Burgess
Picasso Dances
Choreography: Dana Tai Soon Burgess
Dancers: Natasha Ames, Joan Ayap, Christine Doyle, Tomas Fischer, Trevor Frantz, Felipe Oyarzun Moltedo, William Robinson, Baylee Wong, and Armani Colón
Resident Pianist: Dana Nichole Scott
Composer: Manuel de Falla (1876-1946)
Rehearsal Direction: Anne Sidney and Sarah Halzack
Costumes: Judith Hansen
This performance is dedicated to the memory of DTSBDC’s dear friend- Ms. Mary Bird
About the Artists
Now in its 33rd season, Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company (DTSBDC) creates and performs contemporary dance works to celebrate the indomitable American spirit. DTSBDC performances uplift, inspire and bring insights to seasoned dance lovers and new audiences alike.
The Company is a leader in the national movement to collaborate with and perform at visual arts museums, as well as theaters. In 2016, DTSBDC was named the Smithsonian Institution’s first-ever resident dance company. Last year the company began a series of new residencies including a yearlong “social impact” residency at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The Company has a long history of artistic collaborations and partnerships with other organizations including: NASA, the U.S. State Department, the Mayor’s Office of Asian Pacific Islander Americans, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and more.
DTSBDC has been presented at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, The Sylvia and Danny Kaye Playhouse, the Kreeger Museum, National Gallery of Art, the Noguchi Museum, the United Nations, La MaMa, the Asia Society, the Korean Cultural Center, as well as at the White House at the invitation of President and First Lady Michelle Obama. As a U.S. State Department cultural envoy, DTSBDC has toured extensively internationally, to 5 continents and over 30 countries.
For more information about DTSBDC visit www.dtsbdc.org.
Dana Tai Soon Burgess (Founding Artistic Director) is a leading American choreographer and cultural figure known worldwide as the “Diplomat of Dance.” He is a 4th generation Korean American whose ancestors arrived on the plantations of Hawaii in 1903. In 1992, he founded the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company (DTSBDC), Washington, DC’s preeminent modern dance company.
Burgess’s work often focuses on the intersectional identities of Asian Americans by exploring —the flowing together of diverse perspectives, histories, and traditions. 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.” Burgess has been awarded three Fulbright Senior scholarships for dance and recently received two prestigious awards – the Selma Jeanne Cohen Fulbright Dance Lecture Award and the Aaron Stein Memorial Award.
In 2016, Burgess was named the Smithsonian Institution’s first-ever 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. 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. He was also highlighted in “Dancing the Dream,” the Smithsonian’s first exhibition on American dance. Three portraits of Burgess are part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian and his family archive resides 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 Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The National Building Museum, The Kreeger Museum, The Baltimore Museum of Art, and The UNM Art Museum to name a few.
Burgess and DTSBDC have received numerous awards and acclamations including the Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence (2005), seven Metro D.C. Dance Awards, and the Pola Nirenska Award which celebrates trailblazers and leaders of
the dance community. Burgess received the Paul Ré Peace Prize for bridging communities around the globe through choreography.
He has served as a Mayoral appointed commissioner for the DC Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Americans and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Burgess is the author of Chino and the Dance of the Butterfly: A Memoir by University of New Mexico Press and the editor of and contributor to Milestones in Dance History by Routledge/ Francis&Taylor. He is the host of Slantpodcast.com which focuses on the Asian American arts experience.
Dana Nichole Scott (Collaborative Pianist) is the resident pianist of DTSBDC, known for creating and performing dynamic music. Ms. Scott studied at New England Conservatory where she earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and received her Master of Music in Collaborative Piano from the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University.
Ms. Scott began her musical career at a young age, winning competitions and even exploring her skills as a Disney musical production cast member. A respected collaborative pianist and conductor, she frequently works in operatic and musical theater productions, as well as leads choral and instrumental ensembles.
Ms. Scott has conducted, hosted and performed at the Gala Theatre in DC, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, and The Arts Club of Washington, among many other venues throughout the DC area and nationally. She works as a coach and accompanist for the Little Patuxent Opera Institute, Harbor Opera, Centre Stage, and Washington Opera’s Summer Opera Institute. Ms. Scott also performs with Annapolis Children’s Choral, Arundel Vocal Arts Society, Bach in Baltimore, and Opera AACC.
As a soloist Ms. Scott is a winner of the Sidney DeKnight Piano Competition. She frequently appeared as a soloist with the Imperial Symphony Orchestra in Lakeland, Florida and was a recitalist on the Mary Baker Eddy Library Millenium
Series, and the James George Charitable Trust Series in Boston, MA.
Natasha Ames (Dancer) is in her second season with the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company. Trained in classical ballet and modern dance at The Washington Ballet and the Kirov Academy of Ballet, she holds a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Towson University. Influenced by mentors such as Ralph Glenmore, Robbin Tasha-Ford, Irina Wunder, Linda-Denise FisherHarrell, Catherine Horta-Hayden, Vincent Thomas and Caroline Rocher Barnes, Natasha’s choreography reflects her experiences as a woman of color, exploring themes of identity and resilience. Beyond performance, she is dedicated to expanding dance education and inclusivity. As part of the JUNTOS Collective in 2023, she helped bring cultural dance programs to children in Guatemala, fostering artistic exchange and enhancing education in underserved communities. Natasha advocates for dance accessibility and works to address inequalities and promote diversity within the art form.
Joan Ayap (Audience Engagement Coordinator and Dancer) is in her ninth season with Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company. Ms. Ayap was born in Washington, DC, and raised in Manila, Philippines. She started her dance training at the Halili-Cruz School of Ballet and the Philippine Ballet Theatre Conservatoire. While earning a B.S. in Interior Design from Assumption College, San Lorenzo, she also pursued a dance career. Her professional journey began with the Philippine Ballet Theatre, where she worked with renowned teachers and choreographers such as Gener Caringal, Ronilo Jaynario, Anatoli Panasiukov, Enrico Labayen, TonyFabella, Maiqui Mañosa, and Graham Lustig. In Washington, DC, she has performed with DC Contemporary Dance Theatre and Bowen McCauley Dance. She has competed in Rising Star and Open Pro divisions in American Rhythm, as well as Amateur International Latin events. Additionally, she worked as a correspondent and field producer for The Filipino Channel. She teaches at CityDance, The VIVA School of Dance, and DTSBDC’s educational programs. Currently, Joan is pursuing an M.A. in Cultural Heritage Management at Johns Hopkins University.
Christine Doyle (Executive Director and Dancer) is in her tenth season with the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company and currently serves as the company’s Managing Director. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, she received her early training at the Florida Ballet under Laurie PicinichByrd and at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts under Phyllis Penney and Rhonda Stampalia. She earned a B.A. in International Affairs from Florida State University before relocating to Washington, DC. Since 2013, Christine has been dedicated to ballet education throughout the region, teaching students of all ages at institutions such as the Kirov Academy of Ballet, Georgetown University, American Dance Institute, Metropolitan Ballet Theatre, and Georgetown Day School. She also spent seven years as Assistant Director at the Maryland School of Dance. Christine is currently on faculty at Mid-Maryland Performing Arts Center, where she continues to inspire the next generation of dancers.
Tomas Fischer (Dancer) is in his second season with Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company. Tomas was born in Lithuania and grew up in Washington, DC. He began his career in ballet in 2008, at the age of 10, with the Maryland Youth Ballet and trained with Olivier Munoz. In 2010, he furthered his ballet training at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC. In 2017 he completed the 2 year Men’s Scholarship Program at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet where he performed as Benvolio in Alan Hineline’s premiere showing of Romeo And Juliet. Tomas started his professional dance career with First State Ballet Theatre in 2019, where he performed Dracula, and Russian in The Nutcracker. He most recently finished his fourth season with The Florida Ballet as a Company Member performing Dracula, Demitrious in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Flames of Paris Pas de Deux, Le Spectre de la rose Pas de Deux, Prince and Cavalier in The Nutcracker, and other various director choreographed pieces. Tomas is excited to continue expanding his dance path with the company this season.
Trevor Frantz (Dancer) is in his third season with Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company. Trevor was born in Bucks County, PA, where he pursued performing arts and dance throughout his childhood. He continued his dance education
at the George Washington University, where he earned a dance minor along with a BFA in Interior Architecture. He now works full-time as an interior designer.
Felipe Oyarzun Moltedo (Associate Director & Dancer) is in his fourteenth 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, Mr Moltedo is the Associate Director, multimedia designer/creator, and webmaster for Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company; and the producer and editor of SLANTpodcast.com.
William Robinson (Dancer) is in his second season with Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company. He was raised in Washington, DC where he was first introduced to dance in middle school at Georgetown Day School. During high school, he expanded his dance practice learning breaking from Emanuel Sanchez and joined the breaking crew Back 2 Basics. Mr. Robinson went on to attend The University of the Arts high school summer program where he truly fell in love with dance. After graduating high school Mr. Robinson went on to attend The University of the Arts on a full scholarship, earning his B.F.A. in modern dance performance, and receiving both the Outstanding Achievement in Modern Dance Award and the President’s Award. While in school he used his summers to study at the Paul Taylor School. At UArts he had the honor of performing original works by faculty and mentors. He has also danced professionally in projects and guest artist work for Diavolo, Ishmael Houston Jones, Raven Symone, Tierra Whack, and Boris Charmatz. Mr Robinson was recently the assistant to the choreographer on the film The Young Wife by Tayarisha Poe, and worked as the project manager for Cardell Dance Theater’s Disposable Bodies. He has been on faculty at The University of the Arts and Georgian Court University.
Baylee Wong (Dancer) is in her third season with Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company. She is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher based in the DMV area and passion for movement led her to train in various styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and ballroom. Baylee graduated from Towson University, where she obtained a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and Choreography. During her time there, she received several accolades, including the Outstanding Award for Choreography, the Jim Snyder Award for Technical Excellence, and was honored to be an Undergraduate Commencement Speaker. Baylee has taught at Towson University, the Maryland Public High School Dance Festival and at Dance Sanctuaries at the Kennedy Center Reach. Additionally, her original choreography has been showcased at the Peabody Dance Festival, Origins hosted by DTSBDC, Motion Mixers hosted by GRIDLOCK, and at S.H.E./ Moves hosted by Maryland Youth Ballet. Behind the scenes, she serves as the Assistant Director at The Berwyn Ballet School.
Armani Colón (Aprentice) is in his first season with the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company. He is a Puerto Rican dancer, choreographer, model, and cultural organizer whose work explores identity, memory, and the intersections of classical form with diasporic expression. Armani began his dance training at 14 when accepted into the Dance program at The Chicago High School for the Arts. He earned his BFA in Dance from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, where he trained under Danah Bella and developed a foundation in ballet, modern, and contemporary techniques. As an independent dancer and choreographer across the DMV area, he has performed and choreographed nationally, including at Lollapalooza with British pop singer “Flowerovlove”, and has collaborated with a number of choreographers. As Communications Manager and an Ambassador of the Latinx Movement Festival D.C., Armani aims to uplift Latine artists and expand dialogue around performance, culture, and community. His work embodies hybridity, resilience, and joy that bridges tradition with contemporary innovation.
Find us at our upcoming performances
November 12th, 2025
Chazen Museum of Art
Madison, WI
February 26th, 2026
Arts Club of Washington Washington, DC
April 24-26 and May 1-3, 2026
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company Washington, DC
Photo by Lauren Victor
by
Photo
Jeff Watts
DTSBDC STAFF AND BOARD
Leadership
Dana Tai Soon Burgess, Founding Artistic Director
Christine Doyle, Executive Director
Felipe Oyarzun Moltedo, Associate Director
Staff
Bianca DeLille, Development Director
Patch Canada, Public Relations Specialist
Jan Tievsky, Educational Principal
Joan Ayap, Audience Engagement Coordinator
William Robinson, Production Assistant
Isel Perez, Accountant
Max Goldman, Intern
Artists
Anne Sidney, Rehearsal Director
Sarah Halzack, Assistant Rehearsal Director
Judith Hansen, Costume Designer
Sigrid Johannesdottïr, Costume Designer
Millicent Scarlett, Resident Musician
Dana Nichole Scott, Resident Musician
2025-26 DTSBDC Dancers
Natasha Ames
Joan Ayap
Christine Doyle
Tomas Fischer
Trevor Frantz
Felipe Oyarzun Moltedo
William Robinson
Baylee Wong
Armani Colón (Apprentice)
Board of Directors
Susan Gigli, President
Jan Tievsky, Vice President
Erick Hosaka, Treasurer
Mary Eccles, Secretary
Jack Davis
Jameson Freeman
Nicole Hollander
Bonnie Kogod
Ellen Boyers Kwatnoski
Marcia Lim
Leigh Adams Slaughter
Kelly Moss Southall
Dana Tai Soon Burgess (ExOfficio)
Bianca DeLille (Ex-Officio)
Advisory Board
Kay Casstevens
Josue Castilleja
Nicole Colameta
Diane Dragaud
Sara Gay Forden
Sarah Halzack
Joshua Kaufman
Kelly Dinglasan Minton
Mark Ohnmacht
Steve Oshana
Anatol Steck
Lauren Victor
Yang-Ro Yoon
Organizational Mentors
Patch Canada
Michael Kaiser
JOIN US IN OUR MISSION TO SHARE THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF DANCE
Every contribution makes a significant difference. Together, we can make our 2026 season the most impactful yet. To make a contribution please scan/tap the QR code below.
Photo by Jeff
Watts
DONOR LISTING
We gratefully acknowledge the support of the following corporations, foundations, goverment agencies, and individuals who supported Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company during our 24-25 season.
Major Supporters
$51,000 - 150,000
DC Commision on the Arts and Humanities
The National Endowment for the Arts
$20,000 - 50,000
The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
Patch Canada*
March Forth Foundation
Maryland Youth Ballet*
Philip L. Graham Fund
$5,000 - 19,000
Committee for the Future
Dallas Morse Coors Foundation for the Performing Arts
Dwight Stuart Youth Fund
Mary Eccles
Eric Naison-Phillips Family Foundation
Fulbright Scholars
Cary Fuller
Elizabeth Wilson Harter
JBG Smith
Ellen Kwatnoski
Microsoft
Morningstar Foundation
Katia Norri
Teresa Saavedra
The Share Fund
Jan and Seth Tievsky
Heinz and Liselotte Nehring
Stiftung Foundation
Winged Keel Group
$500 - 4,000
Anonymous (3)
John Ashford
Bloomberg Philanthropies
Anna Kang Burgess
Ian Tai Kyung Burgess
Jason and Melissa Burnett
Jane Cafritz
Michael Caplin
Alan Cariaso
Kay Casstevens
Cherry Blossom Giving Circle
Claudia de Colstoun-Werebe
Laurie Davis and Joseph
Sellers
Bianca DeLille
Diane Dragaud
FBB Capital Partners
David Fischer and Joy Kassett
Izette and Neil Folger
Jameson Freeman and Dana
Tai Soon Burgess
Mary A. Gifford
Susan Gigli
Ross Goldman Google
Sarah Halzack
Sergio Herrera and Kelly
Southall
Wayne Hickory
Celia Hoke
Nicole Hollander
Erick Hosaka
Jill and Bill Hudock
*Educational Partner or in-kind service
DONOR LISTING
We gratefully acknowledge the support of the following corporations, foundations, goverment agencies, and individuals who supported Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company during our 24-25 season.
$500 - 4,000 (continues)
Janice Kaplan
Roxane Kaufmann and Neal
Fitzpatrick
Lisa Kaye
Rebecca Klemm
Bonnie Kogod
Richard Kwatnoski
Marcia Lim
Barbara and Robert Liotta
Elizabeth McCallum
Laura McDonald
Alanna McKee
Kelly Dinglasan Minton and Joel Minton
Felipe Moltedo
Elvi Moore
Judith Viggers Nordin
Mark Ohnmacht
Dr. Susan Ohnmacht
Eser Ozdeger
Stacey Perelman
Young-Key Kim and Bertrand
Renaud
Sheri and Robert Rosenfeld
Joan and Berry Rosenthal
Stephanie Rosenthal and Scott Meisler
Stuart Ross and Patricia
Devine
Eric San Juan and Jack Davis
Ben Sanders
Marian and Neel Saxena
Scout Properties
Leigh Slaughter
Steve Slaughter
Arnie Stolberg
Peter and Judith Storandt
Aaron Tievsky and Frank
Delaney
Maida R. Withers
Barrie Zucal
We appreciate and acknowledge our donors who give between $25-499
This program was made possible with generous support of our major sponsors: The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, The Share Fund, The Cafritz Foundation, The Philip L. Graham Fund, The Dallas Morse Coors Foundation, The Heinz und Liselotte Nehring Stiftung, The National Endowment for the Arts, Microsoft, The March Forth Foundation, The Morningstar Foundation, Maryland Youth Ballet, Ellen Kwatnoski, and Mary Eccles.
Special thanks to: Helen Chason, The Kreeger Museum staff and volunteers, the DTSBDC Board of Directors, Advisory Board and staff, The Diplomats of Dance Society, and the DTSBDC dancers for their creative input and support.
Are you between 21 – 40 years old?
We invite you to be a member of the Diplomats of Dance Society. The Diplomats of Dance Society is the young professionals affinity group of the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company. The Society brings together emerging arts leaders who are passionate about modern dance.
This podcast is an ongoing conversation around the Asian American experience through the lens of artists and luminaries. Hosted by Dana Tai Soon Burgess.
Listen on all streaming platforms.
and behind the scenes moments.
Photo by Matailong Du
Photo by Matailong Du
