DANCE

The Vietnamese Culture & Science Association (VCSA) proudly presents Quiet Imprint, a ballet choreographed by award-winning choreographer, Thang Dao featuring Ballet Austin II and the legendary voice of Vietnamese singer Khanh Ly.

VCSA presents Quiet Imprint, a visiting New York choreographer’s interpretation of personal narratives from the Vietnamese community in Houston, TX. Specifically, the work addresses those dispersed from their homeland (the “diaspora”) during and following the Vietnam conflict, 1954 - 1975. The project will culminate in a world premiere dance by Thang Dao, an emerging Vietnamese choreographer and the Audience Choice winner of Ballet Austin’s first biennial New American Talent/Dance in 2006.

The world premiere work will depict the arduous journey experienced by the countless displaced Vietnamese men and women who lived through the conflict, particularly those who ended up in Houston. A key component of the project was Dao’s open dialogue with the Vietnamese elders, documenting their journey of exile, and then connecting them with the dancers of Ballet Austin II to allow for folk dance movements and stories to be directly shared. The choreographer worked directly with Women's Alliance Vietnam's Education (WAVE) to more directly access the Vietnamese community.

Dao’s production was inspired by, and grounded in, Vietnamese singer Khanh Ly’s soulful and transcendent performances of composer Trinh Cong Son’s music. Ly has long captured the hearts of her audience by conveying the mournful, yet poetic lyrics expressed in Son’s music. For this exceptional production of Quiet Imprint, Ly will make a special appearance to perform live with Ballet Austin II.

About Thang Dao
Thang Dao is currently the director of Thang Dao Dance Company (TDDC) based in New York City. After receiving the Audience Choice Award for Stepping Ground for all four performances in Ballet Austin’s New American Talent/Dance choreographic competition, Dao returned to create Printemps Perdu for Ballet Austin II. In 2009, he created new work for Boston Conservatory as well as Mendelssohn Violin Concerto for Ballet Austin II and was awarded the 2009 Princess Grace Fellowship Special Projects Award.

Thang Dao was born in Danang, Vietnam. He received his formal dance education from the Juilliard School and the Boston Conservatory, and he holds a BFA in dance from The Boston Conservatory and an MA from New York University. He danced for the Stephen Petronio Company from 2001-2006 and worked for the Metropolitan Opera and Little Orchestra Society. Dao has presented his works in Boston, New York City, and Austin, with acclaimed reviews by The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and the Austin American-Statesman.

About Ballet Austin II
Established in 1999, Ballet Austin II is Ballet Austin's apprentice program and second company. The 10 apprentices, ranging in age from 18-23, are employed for 34 weeks. They perform with the main company in larger productions as well as presenting their own roster of repertoire and educational programming throughout Texas. Choreographers represented in the Ballet Austin II repertoire include Stephen Mills, Gina Patterson and New American Talent/Dance finalists Thang Dao, Thaddeus Davis and Viktor Kabaniaev

Quiet Imprint production in Houston is supported partly by a grant from the City of Houston’s City Intiiative through Houston Arts Alliance. The event is also underwritten by Kim Son Restaurant system in Houston.