nai ni chen resources
The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company returns to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center to celebrate another Lunar New Year and the coming of spring 2024 with the Year of the Green Wood Dragon. This festive production features amazing dancers, musicians and acrobats. You’ll
experience leaping lions, flying dragons, acrobatic dancers and beautiful music played on traditional cultural instruments.
The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company was founded in 1988 by the late choreographer Nai-Ni Chen and her husband, Andy Chiang. The couple shared a vision of creating a company that was “a premier provider of innovative cultural experiences” to reflect the “hope and energy of the immigrant’s journey.”
Sadly, Nai-Ni Chen passed away in 2021. Still, her legacy lives on in the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, which continues to connect Chinese and American communities through dance and education.
ABOUT THE NJPAC ON THE MIC PODCAST
NJPAC On the Mic allows students to engage their listening skills and deepen their understanding of creative content. This installment features three exclusive, curriculum standard-aligned episodes that supplement Year of the Green Wood Dragon, presented as part of NJPAC’s 2023-2024 SchoolTime Performances series. This immersive audio experience features a theme song by students in the NJPAC arts education program.
How to Listen to njpac on the mic podcast
BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE
Episode: ABOUT (6 minutes)
Listen to this audio via the embedded media below for an introduction to the
performance, the artist or company, and the venue.
Includes: An introduction to the performance, artists & venue, welcome message
Written and hosted by Dania Ramos | Additional writing by Sharon Adarlo and the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company
Sound editing and design by Michael Aquino
Theme and outro music: NJPAC TD Jazz for Teens program
Additional music from Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company productions Year of the Rat & Year of the Ox
Voiceover by Michael Aquino
Welcome message voiced by Andy Chiang
Series producers: Michael Aquino and Dania Ramos
AFTER THE PERFORMANCE
Episode: CONNECT (9 minutes)
Listen to this audio via the embedded media below for reflection questions, a closer
look at an aspect of the performance such as historical context or background on
the art form, and a brief selection of vocabulary words.
Includes: Reflection questions, a look at the Chinese zodiac and Chinese New Year traditions
Written and hosted by Dania Ramos | Additional writing by Sharon Adarlo and the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company
Sound editing and design by Michael Aquino
Theme and outro music: NJPAC TD Jazz for Teens program
Additional music from Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company productions Year of the Rat & Year of the Ox
Opening question voiced by Andy Chiang
Series producers: Michael Aquino and Dania Ramos
Episode: SPOTLIGHT (9 minutes)
Listen to this audio via the embedded media below for an exclusive interview with
an artist from the production or an NJPAC staff member followed by discussion
prompts.
Includes: An interview with Andy Chiang, discussion starters
Written and hosted by Dania Ramos | Additional writing by Sharon Adarlo and the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company
Sound editing and design by Michael Aquino
Theme and outro music: NJPAC TD Jazz for Teens program
Additional music from Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company productions Year of the Rat & Year of the Ox
Interview guest: Andy Chiang
Series producers: Michael Aquino and Dania Ramos
NJPAC On the Mic is produced in partnership with CM Studios.
NJPAC Arts Education performances team: Rosa Hyde, Treasure Borde, and Kendall Lipham
CM Studios producers: Michael Aquino, Dania Ramos
NJPAC and CM Studios are located in Essex County, New Jersey, situated on the traditional territory of the Leni Lenape people.
Episode links and sources
NJPAC’s Arts Education programs: njpac.org/arts-education
NJPAC | About NJPAC: njpac.org/about
Year of the Green Wood Dragon NJPAC resources: njpac.org/arts-education/teacher-resources
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company: nainichen.org/programs*
Chinese New Year | Chinese Zodiac: chinesenewyear.net/zodiac*
PBS | State of the Arts – Unity: Choreographer Nai-Ni Chen Remembered: pbs.org/video/unity-choreographer-nai-ni-chen-remembered-v02hxg*
MIT | Slice of MIT – A Computer Scientist Applies Systems Thinking to Dance: alum.mit.edu/slice/computer-scientist-applies-systems-thinking-dance*
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company YouTube channel: youtube.com/@dragonxlion*