It is neither fellow choreographers nor dancers that most inspire choreographer Thang Dao. “The most influential mentors, teachers, and inspirations in my life are my parents,” he says. It was their determination to be free, to escape war-torn Vietnam, that today forms a backdrop to all Dao’s choreography. “Their story and life unendingly nurture my artistic flame.” Through his work, he aims “to make meanings where words fail, create beauty, and give voice to those unable to speak.” He succeeds by introducing new narrative forms into classical structures, using dance as his medium to “communicate, provoke, and inspire social and cultural experiences and discourse.”

Born in Danang, Vietnam, Dao trained formally at the Juilliard School and Boston Conservatory. He danced professionally with the Stephen Petronio Company, the Metropolitan Opera, and Lisa Reinhardt, before pursuing choreography. In that role, he has worked with Ballet Austin, Ballet X, and Ailey II. His ballet Stepping Ground won the Audience Choice Award all four nights at the First Biannual New American Talent Dance competition, in 2006. In 2008, he received the prestigious Princess Grace Award for choreography; and in 2009, a Special Project Grant for his ballet Quiet Imprint. Ailey II is currently touring nationally and internationally with Echoes, a work originally commissioned by the Boston Conservatory. His works have been performed all over the United States and internationally.

Dao’s future ambitions include “bringing my works to more communities that are, and have been, unexposed to dance.” In that effort, he plans to collaborate with cultural institutions “to create works that embrace social and cultural identities while teaching the tolerance of differences.”

Awards and Accomplishments

• Special Project Grant for his ballet Quiet Imprint (2009)
• Princess Grace Award for choreography (2008)
• Professional dancer, Stephen Petronio Company
• Professional dancer, Metropolitan Opera
• Professional dancer, Lisa Reinhardt
• Choreographer, Ballet Austin
• Choreographer, Ballet X
• Choreographer, Ailey II
• Audience Choice Award, First Biannual New American Talent Dance competition, Stepping Ground (2006)