Overview
Celebrate the incredible legacy of dancer, choreographer, and educator Nai-Ni Chen with this special performance. Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company has been a beloved presence at NJPAC since we first opened our doors in 1997. And we’re honored to pay tribute to the life and work of our friend Nai-Ni Chen on the NJPAC stage. In addition to vibrant dance commemorating the Year of the Water Tiger, we’ll also be joined by the innovative Ahn Trio (featuring Lucia Ahn on piano, Angella Ahn on violin, and Maria Ahn on cello).
Program
Double Lions Welcome Spring
Choreography by Nai-Ni Chen
Chinese folk music and costumes
Performed by Sonny Shiu, Candace Jarvis, Evan Stewart, Jainil Mehta, Namhui Kim, Yaozhong Zhang
Raindrops
Choreography by Nai-Ni Chen
Music by Henry Wolff and Nancy Henning, Robert Rich, Sainkho Namtchylak
Costume Design by Olu-Orondava
Performed by Rio Kikuchi, Namhui Kim, Candice Jarvis, Hannah Jew
Green Lotus
Choreography by Nai-Ni Chen
Chinese traditional music
Performed by FA Dance Junior Division Dancers (7-9): Lily Wang, Charlotte Gao, ALice Hou, Audrey Ning, Alexandra Hsun, Isabella Bao, Chloe Hao, Sophie Yao
Festival/Dragon Parade
Choreography by Nai-Ni Chen
Chinese traditional music
Lighting Design by A.C. Hickox
Costume Design by Hilarie Blumenthal
Performed by the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company
Incense (2003)
Choreography by Nai-Ni Chen
Music by Joan La Barbara
Costume Design by Karen Young
Performed by Evan Matthew Stewart, Jainil Mehta, Candace Jarvis, Rio Kikuchi
Ave Maria
Music by Johann Sebastian Bach/Charles Gounod
Performed by the Ahn Trio:
Lucia Ahn, piano
Angella Ahn, violin
Maria Ahn, cello
Concrete Stream
Choreography by Nai-Ni Chen
Music by Kenji Bunch
Music performed by the Ahn Trio
Performed by Greta Campo, Candace Jarvis, Rio Kikuchi, Evan Matthew Stewart, Namhui Kim, Jainil Mehta
A Word for Freedom
by Latif Nazemi
Translated from Persian/Dari by Bashir Sakhawarz
Skylife
Music by David Balakrishnan
Arranged by Kenji Bunch
Performed by the Ahn Trio
Unity (2022)
Choreography by Nai-Ni Chen, PeiJu Chien-Pott
Composed by Jason Kao Hwang
Music by Jason Kao Hwang
Featuring the voice of Deanna Relyea
Percussion by Andrew Drury
Costume Design by Angel Tsai and SoHarlem’s team, led by Javier Valencia
Performed by Evan Matthew Stewart, Candace Jarvis, Greta Campo, Sonny Shiu, Rio Kikuchi, Jainil Mentha
![]() |
Your safety is our priority. Please read about all of NJPAC’s health precautions and safety requirements before purchasing your ticket. |
A fee of $3.50 has been added to all performance tickets to offset the cost of COVID-19 upgrades and maintenance for performances taking place between September 1, 2021, through July 1, 2022.
NJPAC values the safety of our audiences, artists, and staff. It regularly updates its COVID protocols and procedures based on CDC, federal, state, city, and other scientific data. NJPAC reserves the right to alter safety protocols at any time and at its sole discretion including but not limited to social distancing, vaccines/testing, masks, food service limitations, venue capacity, and entrance requirements as it deems appropriate.