H. T. Chen
Encyclopedia
H. T. Chen is an American dancer and choreographer who formed his own dance company in New York
in 1978.
, China, raised in Taiwan
, and has been a native of New York City since 1971. He is a graduate of the University of Chinese Culture in Taiwan, The Juilliard School
in New York City and New York University's Department of Dance Professions, where he received his Masters Degree in Dance Education. In New York, he also studied at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance and was a scholarship student at the American Dance Center. After working for five years at the La Mama Experimental Theater Club in New York City, Chen turned to presenting his own work, forming his dance company H.T. Chen & Dancers in 1978. The company has since appeared in numerous important venues for contemporary dance throughout the United States and has toured to Europe twice and to Asia seven times.
Mr. Chen has been a longtime advocate for the arts. Working with Dance Theater Workshop's National Performance Network, Chen coordinates the Asian Arts Partnership Program (AAPP) which serves as an ongoing cultural exchange between American artists and Asian artists.
As a professional choreographer, Mr. Chen is a positive voice for his community, speaking strongly and honestly from his particular perspective as an Asian-American. This important artistic statement combines a repertory of dances rooted in Chinese legend and folk tales which, when fused with Mr. Chen's awareness, enlightens audiences both familiar and unfamiliar with Asian culture.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in 1978.
Early years and education
Chen was born in ShanghaiShanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China, raised in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, and has been a native of New York City since 1971. He is a graduate of the University of Chinese Culture in Taiwan, The Juilliard School
Juilliard School
The Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
in New York City and New York University's Department of Dance Professions, where he received his Masters Degree in Dance Education. In New York, he also studied at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance and was a scholarship student at the American Dance Center. After working for five years at the La Mama Experimental Theater Club in New York City, Chen turned to presenting his own work, forming his dance company H.T. Chen & Dancers in 1978. The company has since appeared in numerous important venues for contemporary dance throughout the United States and has toured to Europe twice and to Asia seven times.
Awards
Chen has been the recipient of numerous awards, including grants and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State CAPS, The Jerome Foundation, and Meet the Composer, and was choreographer in residence at THE YARD - a Colony for The Performing Arts. H.T. Chen's professional credits include choreographing and performing in Off-Broadway productions, television, and the concert stage. He has taught at the Navajo Community College and the New York University Department of Dance and Dance Education. Recently, Mr. Chen completed a three-week residency in the Island of Mauritius as an Arts America speaker for the United States Information Service.Works
As important as creating new works to Mr. Chen is providing cultural arts services to the local community. The Arts Gate Center was established in 1980 as a year-round performing arts school in Chinatown, offering classes in ballet, modern dance, Chinese dance, and music. In 1988, Mr. Chen established Mulberry St Theater, Chinatown's first performing arts venue. Programming for the Theater includes three new series, Newsteps, Ear to the Ground, and Moving Word which provide commissions and production support for emerging artists of color.Mr. Chen has been a longtime advocate for the arts. Working with Dance Theater Workshop's National Performance Network, Chen coordinates the Asian Arts Partnership Program (AAPP) which serves as an ongoing cultural exchange between American artists and Asian artists.
Directorships
He also serves on the Board of Trustees for Dance Theater Workshop, DANCE/USA, and Pan Asian Repertory Theater. Mr. Chen has served on numerous dance panels, including National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, and Massachusetts Cultural Council. In 2002, H.T. Chen & Dancers received the New York State Governor’s Arts Award – the first Asian American performing arts organization to receive this award. In 2003, H.T. Chen received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Organization of Chinese Americans - Long Island Chapter, and in 2004 the CUNY Asian Alumni Award for Community Service.As a professional choreographer, Mr. Chen is a positive voice for his community, speaking strongly and honestly from his particular perspective as an Asian-American. This important artistic statement combines a repertory of dances rooted in Chinese legend and folk tales which, when fused with Mr. Chen's awareness, enlightens audiences both familiar and unfamiliar with Asian culture.