About
Founded by Lorelei Chang and Mai Nakanishi in 2008, dancEnlight is a professional modern dance company that performs in the US & Japan under the direction of Lorelei Chang (US) and Mai Nakanishi (Japan). Ms Chang & Nakanishi draw their inspiration from their Asian background and creates cross-cultural works with inventive ideas. Their idea of combining dance and the ancient art form of Chinese calligraphy and Qigong has uniquely set the company apart from others. Through artistic collaboration, dancEnlight works together with local and global artists to create lasting, high quality works of art that can be embraced by a wide range of audiences. Since 2008, dancEnlight has performed at many venues locally and globally such as Trinity College, Charter Oak Cultural Center, Mohegan Sun, Heights Of Wellness, Wadsworth Anthenuem, NBC Wellness Festival, International Festival of Arts and Ideas, 5x5 Dance Festival, The Book Festival, first ever in CT; The Hartt School, Marlborough Arts Center, South Windsor Senior Center, Greater Hartford Academy, Rebound Dance Festival, Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, The HOT school, Playhouse on Park, International Calligraphy Conference in Boston, and many venues in Japan including Yokohama Museum of Art in Tokyo. In the past years, dancEnlight has been providing education programs for all ages, and is committed to serve the community by performances, outreach organizations and events. The company has performed for many private and public schools as well as community service projects over the years including Farmington High School, Sedgwick School, Asian Study Academy, Granby Public Schools, Kinsella Performing Arts School, Killingworth Elementary School, Chester Elementary School, Kingswood Oxford School, South Windsor Senior Center, White Oak Retirement Center. Ms. Chang and the company are excited to share the "Dance & Calligraphy" residency program and "Ink Passion" performances. The company offers two annual Summer Intensive programs: 1) Summer Intensive for teens, adults and professional dancers 2) Summer Intensive For Youth for ages 6-8 and 9-12. In May, 2011, dancEnlight was awarded a non-matching grant from the Artist Fellowship Grant Program. This grant supported the company's world premiere, "The Way" In March 2012. dancEnlight produces annual company dance concert from 2008 to 2017. With all the overwhelming feedback, dancEnlight is humbled and profoundly blessed with the support from the board, family, friends and fans. dancEnlight's collaborators include Mai Nakanishi Cultural Arts. dancEnlight has become a solo company since 2018. Lorelei is currently offering solo dance performance, online Qigong and movement classes and in-person workshops. She hopes to continue serve our community and inspiring her audiences and students through Qigong, dance, Taijiquan, Chinese calligraphy and arts. Photo Credit: Li Jian Guo Dancers: Lorelei Chang & Mai Nakanishi |
Lorelei Chang--Artistic Director
Lorelei and her twin sister, Mai Nakanishi, were privileged to perform during the closing ceremonies of the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. The sisters are world-class artists who pioneered the combination of Chinese calligraphy, Qigong, and modern dance. Lorelei is the founder and artistic director of danceEnlight in Connecticut. Lorelei has taught as faculty and guest at many dance schools and universities in CT includes Trinity College, University of Hartford, Connecticut Concert Ballet, GHAA, Miss Porter School, and many more. She also taught Qigong and Chinese Calligraphy at National Qigong Association’s annual conferences, Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Omega institute For Holistic Studies. In addition, Lorelei has taught dance, Qigong workshops and performance in China, Japan, New Zealand, and more. She is currently offering online classes for Qigong, Movement and Chinese Calligraphy. She also teaches at the South Windsor Senior Center. Lorelei is a professional member of the National Qigong Association. She is a Shiatsu practitioner trained by Nini Melvin and a certified instructor of Radiant Lotus Women’s Qigong founded by Daisy Lee. Lorelei holds deep reverence and gratitude for her many teachers; especially her mother who introduced her twin daughters to the gift of Qigong in their early teens. Lorelei’s teachers have influenced all areas of her life, and she hopes their lights continue to illuminate through her presence and teachings. Lorelei truly hopes that in her lifetime, whomever she encounters benefits from her work and teachings. Photo Credit: Jeff Holcombe |
Mai Nakanishi-Co-Artistic Director, Guest Choreographer & Performer
Photo Credit: Sachiko Nagata |
