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 is a pioneering modern dancer from China whose nearly 50-year artistic journey bridges continents and cultures. She is renowned for integrating Qigong, dance, Chinese calligraphy, and healing arts into unique works of embodied expression. As the co-founder of dancEnlight—a cross-cultural dance company dedicated to artistic collaboration and spiritual enrichment—Lorelei has performed and taught internationally, from the U.S. and Japan to New Zealand and China. Her work has been featured at institutions such as Trinity College, the Kripalu Center, Omega Institute, and the National Qigong Association. A professional member of the National Qigong Association, Lorelei is a Shiatsu practitioner trained by Nini Melvin and a certified Radiant Lotus Women’s Qigong instructor founded by Daisy Lee. Lorelei currently studies Hun Yuan Tai Chi and Bagua with a renowned martial artist and teacher, Zhang Qilong. She holds deep reverence for her many teachers—especially her mother, who introduced her and her twin sister to Qigong in their early teens. Their influence permeates every aspect of her work. Through her presence and teachings, she honors their light and hopes that anyone she encounters benefits from her guidance and passion. Photo Credit: Jeff Holcombe |
Mai Nakanishi-Co-Artistic Director, Guest Choreographer & Performer
Photo Credit: Sachiko Nagata |
