HYPHEN+ASIAN
Advancing API engagement, opportunity, intersectionality, equity, and programming in the performing arts.
OVERVIEW & MISSION
Hyphen+Asian (pronounced HyphenAsian) is WAA’s Asian Pacific Islander (API) affinity group – a collective of API community members and allies with a shared interest in advancing API engagement, opportunity, intersectionality, equity, and programming in the performing arts across the West.
PROGRAM HISTORY
Hyphen+Asian was formed in June 2021 and held its first affinity space meet-up at the 2021 hybrid conference in Portland, where they also hosted a roundtable session to discuss current API issues and narratives.
Hyphen+Asian hosted their second affinity space meet-up virtually in November 2021, inviting the broader API WAA community for an informal introduction to the group. In January 2022, Hyphen+Asian gathered a panel of API artists and arts leaders for a Lunchtime Art Share — an interactive virtual session in which the panel shared their work and perspectives and led the audience in group exercises related to their practice.
Nava Dance Theatre, 2019 WAA Conference. Image credit: Corporate Close Ups
Taiko artist Kenny Endo leads the group in a vocalization exercise at the Hyphen+Asian Art Share
Ju Percussion Group; Senior Member Kuen-Yean Hwang (far right) was a speaker on WAA’s THE NEXT STAGE webinar series.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Hyphen+Asian invites all community members who identify as API to join their closed LinkedIn Group — a space for networking, connection, and idea-sharing.
Hyphen+Asian also holds events throughout the year; some are for API members only, while others are open to all. Check back on this page for the next Hyphen+Asian event, or subscribe to the WAA mailing list to stay up-to-date on all things Hyphen+Asian!
HYPHEN+ASIAN NEWS & EVENTS
Hyphen+Asian recently hosted their first Lunchtime Art Share — a space for API artists and arts leaders to share their work and perspectives with you. Missed it? Check out the event recording via the link below.
MEET THE HYPHEN+ASIAN CO-CHAIRS
Hyphen+Asian is co-chaired by WAA board members, Nadhi Thekkek and Courtney Ozaki.
Nadhi Thekkek (she/they)
Artistic Director — Nava Dance Theatre | WAA Board Director
Nadhi is the Artistic Director of Nava Dance Theatre (NDT), a bharatanatyam dance company based in San Francisco, California (USA). She operates on the belief that bharatanatyam, while classical, is a modern medium with potential to push boundaries of how we can use traditional art forms to understand place, identity, and politics. Nadhi has performed at various venues including the Scotiabank Dance Centre (Vancouver), La Mama ExperimentalTheatre Club (NYC), Dance Place (D.C.), and Southbank Center (London). Her choreographyhas been supported through: National Endowment for the Arts, Kenneth Rainin Foundation, Zellerbach Family Foundation, Dancers’ Group, California Arts Council, CounterPulse, East BayCommunity Foundation and others.
Some of Nadhi’s artist initiatives through Nava Dance Theatre include the Dansplain Series, afestival of bharatanatyam work on social justice issues; Locally Sourced at Navatman’s DriveEast, a series of music and dance commissions featuring Bay Area-based artists; and theVarnam Salon, a dance series highlighting traditional arts repertoire. She recently created #endsouthasiansilence, where NDT produces video art and public events engaging the SouthAsian community in urgent social justice issues.
She obtained her PhD from Rice University in Bioengineering. Though she left academia for artmaking and community organizing, she appreciates the critical thinking, creativity, multitasking, fundraising, and grant writing required for both!
Courtney Ozaki (she/her)
Founder — Japanese Arts Network | WAA Board Director
Courtney is a cultural connector and creative producer based in Denver, Colorado. After studying at Brooklyn College and receiving an MFA in Performing Arts Management, she worked as a project manager and dance producer for Joyce Theater Productions with whom she developed and toured new works for artists including Wendy Whelan (NY City Ballet), Daniil Simkin (American Ballet Theater), and Malpaso Dance Company from Cuba. A professional taiko musician with over 25 years of experience, she has performed across the globe in Dubai, as well as in major cities throughout the United States. Courtney is the founder of the Japanese Arts Network (JA-NE) - a national resource for artistic collaboration and connection which provides access to resources and develops programs and platforms that support, advance, and strengthen visibility for Japanese Artists in America. She also serves as the Business Director for the Taiko Community Alliance, a national non-profit organization that empowers and advances the art of taiko in North America. Courtney is passionate about the melding of ideas and exploration of the intersection and interdependence of arts sectors. She looks forward to continuing her professional journey in multiple capacities with the Western Arts Alliance.
Image credit: Bruce Tetsuya
Image credit: Bruce Tetsuya