Nai Ni Chen with the Ahn Trio in Two Performances
Nai-Ni Chen and The Ahn Trio: A Quest for Freedom
New Jersey’s own Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company joins forces with the world-renown Ahn Trio, three Korean-American sisters know for their unique spin on the piano trio, in a program set to music of David Bowie, Prince, Path Metheny, and more.
A Quest for Freedom is a collaboration in which music and dance are integrated in a poetic, magical way. The dance is inspired by choreographer Nai-Ni Chen’s own story, of coming from Taiwan to New York to create a company that merges Easter and Western influences.
Seven exquisite dancer from the Chen’s company will perform to live music on stage by the Ahn Trio—including works by contemporary composers like Kenji Bunch, Pat Metheny, David Balakrishnan and Ron Yedida. The centerpiece of the evening will be two pop music classics, recently developed by the Ahn Trio: Prince’s Purple Rain and David Bowie’s Space Oddity.
Saturday, March 24 at 7:30 PM
New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Victoria Theater
1 Center Street
Newark, New Jersey
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company with the Ahn Trio
A blossom of color, energy and motion, like endlessly proliferating forces of cosmic energy.
– New York Times.
Nai-Ni Chen blends the freedom of the America spirit with the grace and splendor of the Asian aesthetic. The company makes its NextMove Dance debut with the Philadelphia premiere of A Quest for Freedom, the true story of Nai-Ni Chen (artistic director/choreographer) emigrating from Taiwan to New York. This full-length work traces Chen’s journey. It is set to live music by The Ahn Trio – Juilliard alumni, Korean-born sisters – featuring Angella (violin), Maria (cello), and Lucia (piano). The Ahn Trio is known for its previous collaborations with dance companies including Parsons Dance.
Attend a Post-Performance Chat after every Friday 8PM and Saturday 2PM show. Meet the company, ask questions, and get the scoop on the what’s and the why’s of the creative process.
April 19-22, 2018
Prince Theater | Main Stage
1412 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA