Chia-Ying Kao

visiting artist in residence

Email: ckao@skidmore.edu 

Chia-Ying Kao is a Taiwanese-born, Brooklyn-based teacher, choreographer, and performer. She received her MFA in Dance from Sarah Lawrence College in 2012 and is the founder of Chia-Ying Kao Dance/CYK International Performing Arts Academy. She has taught modern dance, contemporary, Ballet, Jazz/K-Pop, Chinese folk dance, World dance, composition, and improvisation locally and internationally, and her multidisciplinary creative practice explores multiculturalism and connection through collaboration with diverse artists and her community.

Ms. Kao has collaborated with relevant institutions and choreographers including Sara Rudner, Yvonne Rainer, Paz Tanjuaquio, Bill T. Jones, Panoramasian Dance Project, Chinese Theatre Works, Chinese–American Arts & Culture Association, New York Chinese Cultural Center, City Lore, Dancewave, Brooklyn Arts Council, and Hualien Cultural Arts in Taiwan. Over the past fifteen years, Ms. Kao has developed and honed a diverse repertoire of pedagogical strategies to effectively and thoughtfully teach students across age and experience. She encourages her students to be active participants by centering their questions, curiosity, and identity.

Currently, Ms. Kao is a part time Adjunct Dance Instructor at the Theater/Dance Department of Nassau Community College, and a teaching Artist at the Dancewave, Citylore, ArtsConnection, Chinese Theatre Works and Metrokids/Preschool of America. Lately, she became the recipient of the 2023 SU-CASA Award at the Brooklyn Arts Center and 2023 ArtsConnection Artist-in-Residence and Event Program on Governors Island.