Founder
Ginny Ching-Yin Lo is the founder
and artistic director of Identity Performing Arts, established in 2016.
She was born in Hong Kong and trained with the Hong Kong Ballet; then
she continued training with Elizabeth Boitsov in Chicago. Ginny had
danced with the Boitsov Classical Ballet and the Illinois Ballet
Theater.
She holds a B.A. in dance from Columbia College,
Chicago and an M.A. in Communication and Culture from Trinity
International University, IL. Ginny has taught dance over 20 years in
dance studios, public schools and conferences from beginner to
professional level. She has served on dance faculty at Tongji University
in Shanghai, China. She led the Shanghai Migrant Performing Troupe that
produced 40 touring performances annually, which was integral to
Ginny's life mission to share their spiritual faith. Her choreographed
works have been performed in the U.S., China, France and Germany; a
variety have been nominated for the Chicago Dance Achievement Awards.
Through each piece, dance is her vehicle to express societal issues,
with the intent to heal and restore the community.
Updated Newsletter from Ginny and Identity Board
Identity is committed to our mission: connect (the community), create (dance works), affirm (each person's identity).
Identity in 2022--A Superlative Year
2022 marked Identity Performing Arts transition from teaching dance to our undeserved at no cost, to also creating a professional dance troupe of nine company member with a full season of live performances. The collaboration of original choreography by Ginny with Chromabeats music brought new dance works to the stage in Chicago's Old Town School of Music and Evanston's Studio 5, with a wonderful review of "Fearless" by See Chicago Dance.
Our innaugural Elpis Dance Fest drew mainstream, cultural and faith based professional dance troupes in a one day outdoor dance concert in beautiful Lincoln Park, as a free showcase of dance for the public. Invited to perform at a Summer Dance Fest in Germany, Identity was able to fundraise three company members to dance in this international artistic experience.
Looking ahead to 2023, Identity will continue its free dance program partnering with Family Focus and will work to secure a grant from the Evanston Art Council. Identity is creating new danceworks for Spring, Summer Elpis Fest and Fall. We are also planning a dance film project in Indiana with a local video artist, while our German film collaborator will work with Identity's full company this Summer.
Overall and through all, we value your interest, support and presence in our events. And, we look forward to seeing you in 2023!
With deep appreciation and our best intentions for the new year,
Ginny Ching-Yin Lo, Founder and Director
Jill Diez, Martina Keller and Sharon Meyers, Identity Board
Identity is committed to our mission: connect (the community), create (dance works), affirm (each person's identity).