Episode 42: Nai-Ni Chen - Building and Strengthening Bridges

What is happening in the world around us? What is affecting us socially and politically? What does justice look like? These are just a few of the big questions that frame the inspiring conversation between Courtney and Asian-American choreographer, dancer and dance educator Nai-Ni Chen in Episode 42: "Building and Strengthening Bridges." In their chat, Nai-Ni Chen, of Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, talks with Courtney about the importance of dance in her own life and how the arts can be a conduit for connecting humans to their own humanity, particularly in these turbulent times. Nai-Ni also describes her diverse dance company, which has brought arts and cultural programming to audiences across the country, as one with a unique aesthetic style—formed in part by the realization that the United States offers students a narrow, Euro-centric, patriarchal curriculum, often omitting the immigrant story—as having a strong focus on celebrating culture and humanity. In their conversation, Nai-Ni also notes that, by working with dancers from other cultural backgrounds who also have a passion for the arts and arts education, she has become a better person with a much broader worldview. What else do Courtney and Nai-Ni discuss? You'll have to listen to the episode to find out!