ABSTRACT
Modern dance in Taiwan emerged in the 1940s. In 1973, with the establishment of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, and then again in 1976 with that of the Neo-Classic Dance Company, modern dance began to gain acceptance as a professional art form in Taiwan. Born in south Taiwan, female choreographer Luo Wen-Jinn indicated that her use of Chinese dance influences is for personal reasons and not for embracing Chinese themes. Eighty per cent of the first generation’s dancers took on the responsibility to become leading choreographers, teachers and policy makers of Taiwan’s current dance field. Even if some of these choreographers shifted the overall aesthetic of their dances, it would be considered minimal in comparison to the work of the current generation. Choreographer Cho Ting-chu uses her extensive background and training in Chinese folk dance as a resource when developing new and innovative choreography.
