We are pleased to announce the Artist in Residence @ Heidi Duckler Dance program, a program that centers cultural and artistic exchange, nurtures experimentation, and supports research and the development of new work.
The idea to host an artist-in residence came up as our company returned to work at our headquarters in the historic Bendix Building in downtown Los Angeles. As we began to invite audiences to return to our live performances, we noticed our own internal struggles with isolation. It occurred to me that an artist from another community could help nurture meaningful exchange, explore ideas with us, and together we might find new inspiration that would enrich our lives and practice.
– Heidi Duckler
Our first artist in residence for this inaugural program will be Ching Ching Wong. Ching Ching will be acting as choreographer and creative director for the company, in addition to teaching for and performing in Heidi Duckler Dance programming during her residency. Her residency dates are April 4, 2022 – June 30, 2022.
Heidi Duckler has asked me to fly off a building, jump out a yellow Mustang, and swim in a pond dressed as a duck. When she asked me to be Heidi Duckler Dance’s inaugural artist in residence, I said QUACK, YES! Heidi Duckler Dance is a laboratory of creation where lightness and vulnerability sit side by side, where artists from all mediums are encouraged to explore the unknown, and where communities from all corners of the world and of all ages come to gather. The world is heavy and our hearts are aching, so now, more than ever, I see the invaluable need for human connection. As Artist in Residence for Heidi Duckler Dance, I am honored to have this chance to create with you, to connect with you, and to possibly be a duck with you.
– Ching Ching Wong
We hope you will join us in welcoming Ching to Heidi Duckler Dance.
About Ching Ching Wong
Born in Manila, Philippines and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Ching Ching Wong credits her lifelong teacher Alia Harlan Kaneaikala for instilling in her the love for dance. She is the recipient of Princess Grace Award in Dance (2015), was named in Dance Magazine as 25 to Watch (2017), and is currently represented by Movement Talent Agency.
Her freelance career includes collaborations with Heidi Duckler Dance, ZviDance, LED, Brendan Duggan, PARA.MAR, CARLON, Safety Third Productions, YYDC, Oddknock Productions, SALT Contemporary Dance, Heidi Duckler Dance Theater, WHYTEBERG, Brett Perry, Katie Scherman, Joe Kye, and Adam Weinert.
For seven seasons, she danced for Northwest Dance Project where she originated work for dozens of national and international choreographers including Swiss based choreographer Ihsan Rustem. Ching Ching is now assistant and répétiteur for Ihsan, re-staging his work throughout the US and Europe. She is also founder of Project Salamat, global outreach program, and The Experience, an international workshop series.
Ching Ching is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine BFA in Dance Performance minoring in Education and Psychology & Social Behavior. There, she was fortunate to work with the late Mr. Donald KcKayle. (Portrait CCW, by Will Bowers)
