Jin-Wen Yu Dance Repertory

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Bobbing (1999), a 12-minute group dance that subtly deals with the phenomenon of anxiety. It is a visceral and dynamic dance that utilizes flying pieces of paper as props and stage settings. Music by Phillip Glass and Karl Jenkins.

Circle Dance (1999), a 10-minute ballet duet commissioned by Mount Holyoke College that creates a new look for contemporary ballet with video projection. It is set to the music of Peter Jones. ("Ballet must be perfect…and darn if it wasn’t."---The Recorder, "Rooted in classical ballet, this stunning dance is also intriguingly jazzy and modern"---Wisconsin State Journal)

Divining Rod (1996), 10-minute solo, a soul-searching dance with a Chinese martial art staff as the prop and music by Michael Nyman. ("a fascinating solo"--- Daily Hampshire Gazette, "…a symbolic work"---China Daily, "…the wooden pole made manifest the clarity and focus of energy summoned by Yu’s own body."---The Boston Globe, "(Yu) makes even the slightest movement powerful, beautiful and significant. Incredible.---Fort Worth Star-Telegram, ) photos.

Double Feature (2000), 13-minute duet. Commissioned by Dance Mission Theater in San Francisco, this dance explores both humorous and serious modes of movement play. The music is by J.Frazy, E.A. Quelle, Laszlo Sa’ry, and Colin Bright. (" In the playful ‘Double Feature,’ Lori Dillon and the stunning Yun-Chen Liu moved adroitly from mechanical dips and bends to possessing Jell-O-like bodies, fluid in their unisons, delicate hands aflutter."---Los Angeles Times) (Photos!)

Drifting (1998), a sensual, 12-minute modern dance sextet with poetic images created to express emotional modes of farewell and longing. Music by Karl Jenkins. This dance has been chosen for the national gala concert of the American College Dance Festival. ""lines of dancers giving illusion of entities crossing stage as if on a moving floor. So airy, so floaty. Like last thoughts. Pretty and dreamy.---Wisconsin Dance Council Newsletter)

Duet (1998), a 15-minute, high energy, athletic duet embracing elements of both strong individual movement and challenging partnering work. Li Chiao-Ping and Jin-Wen Yu first performed this dance in 1998. Music by Kevin Volans. (...Jin-Wen Yu produced astonishing images of partnership and flight...His movement is extended and his jumps are smooth, more like glides with lift.-----Isthmus. "Great Fun! Great artistry! Great Pioneering!"---Wisconsin Dance Council Newsletter) Photos.

Duet #1 (1999), an 8-minute playful, athletic duet set to the enjoyable sounds of Bobby McFerrin. This dance was performed in the 2000 Feet International Dance Festival in Philadelphia by invitation. ("(Yu’s) best work…its comedy is warm rather than frantic, with a number of well-choreographed sequences that fit Bobby McFerrin’s mellow, yet enlivening music perfectly."---Chicago Reader, "…delightfully acrobatic…arresting sculptural images in a sinuous fluidity."---The Boston Globe) Photos.

Duet #2 (2000) a 12-minute duet with live music by Kevin Frey. It depicts a spiritual journey. This dance integrates Chinese and Indian martial arts with contemporary dance vocabularies and was commissioned by Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission. Photos.

Duet #3 (2001), a 10 minute duet. This dance explores the act of threading. The dancers literally interweave their limbs and spatial patterns through Yu’s intricate, playful choreography. Meanwhile, several brightly colored images with thread-like designs created by. Derrick Buisch, are projected, providing a continuously changing backdrop to enhance the duet and reinforce the notion of the constant shifting and threading of life. This dance premiered in Chicago, IL and was commissioned by the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission. Music by Kevin Volans. Photos.

Duet #4 (2002), a 9-minute duet with music by Peter Jones. This dance reveals the lighter aspects of life in contrast with darker moments, showcasing Jin-Wen Yu’s trademark athletic, powerful, and yet sensual and technical movement style. This dance was commissioned by the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission. Photos.

Family Pictures (2002), In this special work, Yu and his dancers collaborated with members of the UW Health Sports Medicine Center Tai Chi class, taught by Blair Mathews, to create a 15-minute, multi-media community dance with music by Aurio Corra and video by Claude Heintz. Using Tai Chi as a shared movement vocabulary and video projection of portrait pictures, the dance reveals a universal family theme through individual images. This work was funded by the Wisconsin Arts Board. Photos.

Feathering (1997), a 13-minute quintet set to the music of Karl Jenkins. It is highly technical, employing a physically challenging and driving movement vocabulary. It was commissioned by the Chinese Culture and Information Center and it premiered in the first Ladder Series Dance Program at Taipei Theater in New York in June 1997.

First Fall (1997), a 15-minute dance inspired by New England fall foliage and the Chinese saying "One Falling Leaf, Autumn Everywhere." This exuberant sextet was created to imitate and orchestrate the visualization of the symphony of autumn’s falling leaves. Music by Steve Reich and Chris Hughes. A section of this dance was chosen for the gala concert of regional American College Dance Festival in 1998. ("It’s a sextet of dancers frequently partnering each other in lifts, turns, and — apropos of the fall theme - catching, propping or building a brief human engine out of another dancer’s movement."---Philadelphia City Paper) Photos.

Flying Angel (2002), a 5-minute traditional Chinese ribbon dance with Chinese classic music, using two ribbons as props. This dance depicts the free-flowing movements and graceful postures of a flying celestial as seen in the images of the Duwin-Huang Cave Painting. Photos.

Interplay (2000), an 11-minute solo performance with live video and pre-recorded video projections, revealing an "internal landscape" against a stage setting of rocks and stones. Yu captivates his audience with both small, subtle gestures and motions and momentous, grand actions that carry him through the space. The dance climaxes when Yu, wobbling atop a precariously placed rock, spits out a mouthful of rice, as if exhaling all energy, yet, after the climax, once again gathers life force. This dance was commissioned by Residential Arts of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Music by Somei Satoh. ("When Yu perches on (a rock), his toes curled tenaciously on its small surface, his body slowly contorting, as if petrifying before our eyes, the effect is stunning."---The Boston Globe, "…a spellbinding work."---Wisconsin State Journal)

Miss Dillon (2002), a 10-minute duet with music by Arvo Pärt and choreography by Jin-Wen Yu. Although this dance commemorates a specific person, it universally depicts the mood of missing a close friend or a family member.

Off-Joint (2001), a 9-minute solo. Deriving from the moving modes and fluctuating energies of Tai Ji Quan and Chinese opera dance, this dance magnifies the inner tension felt by one soul departing from another. It is set to Chinese opera music and premiered at the Joyce SoHo in New York City in February 2001. This solo is supported by the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the state of Wisconsin. ("…showcases (Yu’s) unusual mix of athletic prowess and physical grace."---Wisconsin State Journal) Photos.

On Horseback (1996), with Chinese traditional music, this dance is an energetic, 6-minute group piece created to vividly express the freedom felt during joyful horse riding in an endless field. ("An equestrian romp choreographed to show off group’s energy and travelling footwork with enjoyable movement motifs of dressage…Combination of surprise elements and an excellent happy ending to an excellent happy evening of amazing dance."---Wisconsin Dance Council Newsletter)

Passage (2001), a 10-minute group dance with music by the Bulgarian State Television Female Vocal Choir. This is a contemporary rendition of a ritualistic dance, representing the togetherness of community using stones as props and stage settings. The creation of this dance was influenced by the September 11 tragedy and was selected to perform in the gala concert of a regional American College Dance Festival in 2002. (Photos!)

Passer-By (1999), 12-minute trio. Commissioned by Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, this dance is inspired and accompanied by Somei Satoh’s music "The Heavenly Spheres Are Illuminated By Lights." It conveys the notion of the existence of the human being as a natural phenomenon of the universe. This dance premiered in the 2000 Feet International Dance Festival in Philadelphia and was performed in World Dance 2000 in Seoul, Korea. ("…a three-person dance that fuses the best of Yu’s other works: controlled strength, emotionalism and dramatic on-stage relationships."---Wisconsin State Journal) Photos.

Replay (1995), a 12-minute group dance composed of nine dancers, that utilizes childhood games as movement motifs to exuberantly reflect the memories of being young. Music by David Hykes. This dance was commissioned by the Department of Dance of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. It was chosen for the gala concert of regional American College Dance Festival in 1996.

Shaking Realities (1999), a commissioned duet from Hampshire College combining athletic partnering, a surreal tone, and steady musical accompaniment composed by Steve Reich. This dance was commissioned by Hampshire College. ("…the vocabulary is angular attraction…They pose like a child’s misaligned erector set.---The recorder).

Spiegel im Spiegel (2000), a 10 minute duet. Commissioned by the Dance Mission Theater in San Francisco, CA and premiered in Taiwan, this duet examines a post modern, minimalist approach to choreography. The dance is built upon a single formula that is, throughout the work, developed, repeated, and retrograded. The delicate piano work of Arvo Pärt, as well as an emphasis on gesture and emotion, carry the two dancers through their formulaic journey. ("…emotionally charged…a moving study in relationship."---Wisconsin State Journal) Photos.

Still Lighting (1999), a 10-minute commissioned solo by Smith College, sensitively explores a woman’s neurotic search for devotion. This piece uses several small flashing red lights on stage to act as visual and emotional metaphors. Music by Thomas Tallis. ("…a compelling solo…the effect was arresting.---The Boston Globe) Photos.

Terpsichores of Wind (1999), 11-minute duet, a contemporary rendition of Chinese long-sleeved dance. By invitation of the World Dance Alliance, this dance has been performed in both the 2000 Feet International Dance Festival in Philadelphia in June 1999 and World Dance 2000 in Seoul, Korea. Music by Steve Reich and Joseph Koykkar. (…a nicely composed piece…---Chicago Reader) Photos.

To Bury The Petal (2002), an 8-minute solo with music by Philip Glass. Choreographed by the renowned New York dance artist Barbara Grubel and performed by Jin-Wen Yu, this dynamic dance reveals ideas of flight, loss, distance, and love.

Transmuting (2000), an 11-minute sextet. Exemplifying Yu’s penchant for lively, intricately designed, gymnastic group works, this dance combines seemingly effortless partnering, intense bodywork, and interlacing spatial patterns. The dancers move in and out of designs and shapes with fluidity and speed. Music by Ryuichi Sakamoto. This dance was chosen for the regional gala concert of American College Dance Festival in 2001.

Transit (2001), a 15-minute solo. This work was collaboratively created by Jin-Wen Yu and choreographer/director, writer, video artist, and performer Wendy Woodson. It premiered in Cambridge, MA in January 2001. The dance is highlighted by video footage, projected on both a television screen on stage and on the back wall/scrim, of urban scenery taken by Woodson. It features Yu in a performance mode that reflects his versatility as a performer of great strength, both in terms of his ability to move with speed and energy through large movements and his talent for making the most subtle, small gestures captivate his audience.

Un Bolero Azul (2000), a 9-minute duet. Rose Marie Wurzer and Charles Flachs, bring their grace and exceptional partnering to the stage in this flavorful ballet duet. The piece was commissioned by Mt. Holyoke College and premiered in the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet Society’s "Performance at Historic Yellow Springs." Music by Karl Jenkins. Photos.

Unconcealing (1998), 12-minute quintet that explores delicate (Yin) and explosive (Yang) modes of energy with Chinese martial arts fans as props. Music by Toby Twining. This dance was chosen for the gala concert of regional American College Dance Festival. ("…moving in beautifully choreographed, concerted and often sinuous movements…effectively used red fans for effect, punctuating the dance with ‘thwack’ of opening the fans.---Wisconsin State Journal)

Water Series (1999), 27-minute multimedia and cross-cultural solo. This dance integrates Tai Ji Quan, video images, and computer-produced sounds, with contemporary dance vocabularies. It reveals various water images - under current, raindrops, running streams, ice water, and stirring water - with seasonal sensibility and life force. It is choreographed and performed by Jin-Wen Yu with videography by Wendy Woodson. The music is by Harold Budd & Andy Partridge and Karl Jenkins. This dance will be performed at the Festival Internacional de Video-danza de Buenos Aires in Argentina in July 2001. ("...now you see the ceaselessly flowing, effortless moves; now you don’t. Yu, like water, fills every space...Yu is a master."----The Recorder, " Compelling piece and exciting performance---Wisconsin Dance Council Newsletter) Photos.

Which One Is Pink ? Part I (2000), 10-minute duet. This athletic yet sensual dance is inspired by Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon. The dance follows the common life philosophy of the musical lyrics, yet adds a sense of surrealism to its presentation. This dance is partially supported by Madison Civic Center Foundation. ("In ‘Which One Is Pink?’ Yu and Yun-Chen Liu, a member of his company, move in such harmony that they seem to be one being, even when they aren’t touching. Set to music by Pink Floyd, it is a far better representation of the ethereal yet machine-made aesthetic of the art rock supergroup than a laser light show."---Wisconsin State Journal) (Photos!)

Which One Is Pink? Part II (2001), a 12-minute trio set to a selection of music from Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. This work incorporates video projection, props, and the trademark athleticism and power of Yu’s movement style. It is a section of a larger, 45-minute multi-media work set to the entire Pink Floyd album that will premiere in full at the prestigious Oscar Mayer Theater of the Madison Civic Center on September 15, 2001. ("…truly engaging and stimulating…Yu’s approach to the ‘70s went far beyond polyester shirts, as his rigorous choreography conveyed that decade’s post-Watergate atmosphere of self-surveillance."---Isthmus)

Which One Is Pink? Part III (2001), an 8-minute duet employing a high energy, highly technical movement vocabulary, set to a selection from Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. It is a section from the larger dance of the same title, to premiere at the Oscar Mayer Theater of the Madison Civic Center on September 15, 2001. (Photos!)

Which One Is Pink? (2000/2001), a 45-minute multimedia group work, inspired by, and using, Pink Floyd’s music from the album Dark Side of the Moon. This dance is partially funded by the UW-Madison Graduate School and the Madison Civic Center Foundation. ("…visually stunning." ---Isthmus)