Dana Tai Soon Burgess

Forging connections through dance

As part of the cultural exchange, Mr. Burgess and his assistant Kelly Moss Southall visited leading classical dance schools Bharatha Kalanjali and Kalakshetra. At Bharatha Kalanjali they met with Mr. V.P. and Mrs. Shantha Dhanajayan, and taught a modern dance class to the Bharatanatyam students and dancers. They also watched and participated in a Bharatanatyam class by the students of the school and spoke to the dancers about modern and classical dance forms.

During his residency at the John Britto Academy, Burgess worked intensely with the company dancers, who have been trained in jazz, hip-hop, flamenco, salsa, and classical Indian dances.  Mr. Burgess taught them ballet and other modern dance forms.  Students at John Britto's Dance Studio also benefited from Mr. Burgess’ expertise, and had a lot of fun learning modern dance moves and techniques.  

Under the Cultural Envoy Program, the U. S. Department of State invites American artists to travel abroad for short-term residencies to conduct workshops, master classes, etc.  These activities are conducted in diverse fields such as film, video art, sculpture, painting, cultural preservation and heritage, conservation, museum administration, theater, modern dance, music, arts management and education to build and strengthen relationships between the U. S. and foreign countries.  The activities the Envoys carry out help countries to strengthen their own cultural institutions as well as to build sustainable linkages and relationships between American individuals and institutions and their foreign counterparts.  These programs also offer an opportunity for Americans to learn about foreign cultures, arts and arts management.