Taiwanese modern dancer Lin Xiangxiu drew inspiration from the challenges and hopes brought about by the pandemic to create the contemporary dance “RISING III,” which premiered on October 11 and 12 at the San Jose California Theatre. The performance featured 17-year-old rising star Jinny Cha, whose captivating presence prompted a standing ovation from the audience.
After a year away, Lin Xiangxiu returned to the Bay Area to present “RISING III” as part of the San Jose modern dance company sjDANCEco’s program titled “Elevate.” Reflecting on the performance, Lin expressed, “It was heartwarming to see so many people stand and applaud during the curtain call. I could truly feel the audience’s passion and connection to the work.”
She shared that the dance company, formed just two years ago, faced challenges during the pandemic when many dancers left the Bay Area for various personal reasons. The current performers came together to rehearse anew after the pandemic, with some relocating from cities like New York and Oakland. Lin was impressed by how a company with such a short history could achieve such a high level of performance, citing the dancers’ stability and maturity.
“RISING III” had a unique rehearsal process, as Lin spent most of her time in Taiwan. She began with initial rehearsals in person but later transitioned to adjustments via video and video conferencing. It wasn’t until a week before the performances that Lin visited the Bay Area to assess the overall rehearsal progress. Maria Basile, the artistic director of the San Jose modern dance company, played a crucial role in helping Lin navigate the challenges posed by distance, facilitating the smooth execution of rehearsals.
In “RISING III,” as the dancers expressed their struggles to break free from the constraints of the pandemic, Lin encouraged them to convey their movements with more intensity and frenzy, akin to an exorcism, emphasizing their desire to shake off the presence of COVID-19. “COVID-19 was an unexpected situation that erupted suddenly. The dancers needed to shake off that negativity, akin to a cleansing movement,” she explained.
Jinny Cha took on a pivotal role in “RISING III,” portraying the myriad difficulties faced during the pandemic while ultimately reaching toward hope. Surrounded by fellow dancers, she was lifted high, reaching toward the sky, symbolizing the discovery of light amid darkness. Her mature performance left the audience in awe, especially considering her young age.
Jinny Cha is also the champion of the 2024 StarQuest World Finals, having started her dance journey with Lin Xiangxiu right after she arrived in the United States in the third grade.
In an interview, Maria Basile shared that this marks her second year as the artistic director of the dance company, and she expressed her excitement about Lin Xiangxiu returning to the Bay Area for choreography. She highlighted how Lin’s work consistently brings richness and diversity to the dancers, effectively conveying deep emotions and dynamic presence that audiences can readily recognize.
