Who's Who

KENNY ENDO is a performer, composer, and leader of contemporary taiko. He has paved new directions in taiko, bringing a creative approach to music through his background in western, ethnic, and Japanese drumming.  His music blends neo-traditional taiko rhythms with original melodies and improvisation.  Originally trained in western music, he began his taiko career over thirty years ago as a member of Kinnara Taiko and San Francisco Taiko Dojo.  In 1980, Endo embarked on a decade-long odyssey in Japan performing with the masters of Japanese classical drumming, Tokyo festival music, and ensemble drumming.  Endo has performed worldwide and has worked with acclaimed artists of various mediums in innovative collaborations.  Kenny's taiko are provided courtesy of Miyamoto Unosuke Company.  For more information: www.KennyEndo.com.

CHENG-CHIEH YU, an Assistant Professor of Dance/Choreography in UCLA’s Department of World Arts & Cultures is a recipient of a 2005 Irvine California Dance Creation to Presentation grant. Her post-modern choreography is grounded in a kinesthetic influenced by Chinese movement disciplines and explores themes of diasporas, and gender. Her dances have been produced in NYC and Los Angeles as well as internationally in China, Singapore, and Taiwan. She has received a fellowship from the UC Humanities Research Institute and grants from the Cultural Council and the National Endowment of Arts and Cultures of Taiwan, the Jerome Foundation, the Durfee Foundation, DTW Suitcase Fund and UC Institute for Research in the Arts. From 1989-91 Yu’s toured as a company member with Cloud Gate Dance Theater of Taiwan and from 1991-01 based out of NYC with the The Solomons Co. Dance, Jose Limon, Bebe Miller and the Ralph Lemon Dance Project. For more information: www.YuDanceTheatre.com

*The creation and production of “Swallow Touches the Water” was in part funded by the James Irvine Foundation, Dance: Creation to Performance Program, Administrated by Dance/USA, the UCLA School of Arts and Architecture, Department of World Arts d Cultures and its Hot House Space Residency Program for Choreographers, Summer 06.