Jazz (Dance) Quintet: A Musical Dialogue
2024 · 04 · 27 | New Taipei City Government Arts Center Concert Hall
Welcome to a cross-disciplinary performance that blends music, dance, and micro-theatre. From script development to rehearsals, we built this work through challenges and collaboration—finally bringing blues and swing into a formal concert hall.
The production brings together jazz, social dances (Blues, Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa), and Taiwanese folk storytelling. Through improvisation and movement vocabulary, it paints a vivid and free jazz landscape.
I'm Chih-Yuan, the director, musician, and dancer behind this production. I'm glad these words have found you—because it means you've chosen to be part of our journey.
Honestly, this show began as an accident. I had always been a musician, occasionally collaborating with dancers. But one day, on a whim, I submitted a project proposal to the New Taipei City Cultural Affairs Department.
I was nervous, weaving the social dances I'd been learning into a script, simply hoping for a chance to share what we'd created. I never imagined that this unassuming attempt would lead us somewhere so unexpected.
The application was approved. The grant breathed new life into the production—and with it came the responsibility to rise to the occasion.
From a handful of simple lines and narration to the seamless integration of music and movement, every step of the way was filled with challenges: writing the script, coordinating the cast, mapping the musical timeline… every detail holds a piece of us.
Thankfully, we had an extraordinary ensemble, gifted dance instructors, and the irreplaceable folk storytelling of Teacher Yang. Together, we overcame every obstacle and arrived at this moment.
The stage lights rise. The music swells. The dancers move. Standing in the wings, watching the audience, I felt something words can hardly hold.
This is more than a performance—it is a journey of seeking and dreaming. We doubted. We got lost. And in the end, we chose to keep going.
Thank you for being here with us along the way. Your presence is what keeps us moving forward.
Yu-Chiao Yang
Olivia Chuang (Vocals)
Claire Chen (Piano)
Shi-Yi Xue (Piano)
Yu-Lun Wei (Trumpet)
Ya-Chu Chuang (Drums)
Teng-Yang Li (Drums)
Sheng-Hang Zhong (Bass)
Chih-Yuan Chen (Clarinet / Saxophone)
Penny Chen (Blues / Balboa)
Lucas Lin (Blues / Balboa)
Chris Sun (Lindy Hop / Charleston)
Viva Lin (Blues / Lindy Hop)
Ya-Juan Huang (Lindy Hop / Charleston)
Director: Chih-Yuan Chen
African Drum: Chris
Lighting / Sound: Ling-Yin Huang
Video / Photo: Scott, Chun-Hsiung Wu
Front Desk / Tickets: Yan-Ru Chen
Stage Manager: Zhi-Jia Liang
Sold out a week before opening—and the feedback kept pouring in.
Every voice below, glowing or critical, is the fuel that keeps us going.
"I found the performance genuinely interesting—educational, with wonderful music and a remarkably versatile storyteller. In terms of staging, adding lighting changes could really elevate the transitions and help the audience focus on individual dancers when several are on stage at once."
Interested in bringing Jazz (Dance) Quintet: A Musical Dialogue to your venue? We welcome inquiries from presenters, arts organizations, and cultural institutions. Get in touch to discuss program specifications and collaboration.
micay.chen@gmail.comOr reach out via Instagram / Facebook — Friday Quintet