MURIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
January 11, 2021
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Councilof the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section 2ofthe Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law
2-142; D.C. Official Code 1-523.01), and pursuant tosection 305ofthe Fiscal Year 2002 Budget
Support Act of2001, effective October 3, 2001 (D.C. Law 14-28; D.C. Official Code 2-1374),
which established the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Community Development
(Commission), | am pleased to nominate the following person:
Mr. Dana Tai Soon Burgess
Arizona Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
(Ward 3)
for appointment as a public voting member of the Commission, filling a vacant seat, for a term to
end April 17, 2022.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experienceof the above-mentioned
nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
1 would appreciate the Council's earliest considerationof this nomination for confirmation. Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayors Office of Talent and
Appoimtments, should the Council require additional information.
Sincerely,
jurid| Bowyer
 airman Phil Mendelson
at the request of the Mayor
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
To confirm the appointment of Mr. Dana Tai Soon Burgess to the Commission on Asian and
Pacific Islander Community Development.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Community
Development Dana Tai Soon Burgess Confirmation Resolutionof2021.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the appointment of:
Mr. Dana Tai Soon Burgess
Arizona Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
(Ward 3)
as a public voting member ofthe Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Community
Development, established by section 305ofthe Fiscal Year 2002 Budget Support Act of 2001,
30 effective October 3, 2001 (D.C. Law 14-28; D.C. Official Code 2-1374), and in accordance
31 with section 2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-142; D.C.
32 Official Code 1- 523.01), filling a vacant seat, for a term to end April 17, 2023.
33 Sec. 3. The Councilof the District of Columbia shall transmit a copyof this resolution,
34 upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
35 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
 Dana Tai Soon Burgess
jon Statement
11am dedicated to the development and implementation of innovative curricula and technology that fosters
international collaborations between students, faculty and research institutions.
Education
1994 Master's of Fine Arts-Dance
Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
George Washington University, Washington, DC
1989 Bachelor of University Studies-Asian Studies and Dance
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
2004-2010 Arts Management Training
The Capacity Building Program for National Artisiic Directors of Color under the direction of
Michael Kaiser- President Emeritus, the Kennedy Center
Skills
Bilingual in Spanish and English, Microsoft Office Suite, Taskstream, Lyterati, Blackboard, Skype, Vemeo,
YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Wordpress
Biography
Dana Tai Soon Burgess is an internationally acclaimed choreographer and cultural figure. He was recently
named the Smithsonian's first resident choreographer. He is described as a national dance treasure" by
Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Sarah Kaufman of the Washington Post. His work focuses on the
hyphenated person - someone who is of mixed ethnic or cultural heritage - as well as issues of belonging
and societal acceptance for new Americans. in May 2014 he was quoted in Smithsonian Magazine he
described his artistic focus as exploring the idea of cultural confluence. For over 20 years he has served
asa cultural envoy for the U.S. Department of State, an appointment he uses to promote international
cultural dialogues through the arts and education. Throughout his career, Burgess has performed, taught,
and choreographed around the world. He has created and implemented programming to represent the
United States abroad to over 30 countries, including Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt, Israel, the West Bank,
Cambodia, India, Korea, Mongolia, Latvia, Venezuela, Panama, Mexico, Ecuador and Peru among others.
He is the Chair of Department of Theatre and Dance at George Washington University where he has taught
for 15 years. Burgess has also taught for the Ballet Hamburg in Germany, Sejong Univesity in Korea as well
as the San Marcos University in Lima and the National Ballet of Peru via two Senior Fulbrights. He has
worked closely with major cultural institutions including the National Portrait Gallery, the Corcoran Gallery,
the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian. Burgess was a mayoral appointed commissioner for the DC
Office on Asian Pacific Islander Affairs from 2013-2016, dealing predominantly with the needs of new
Americans. He is a descendent of the first Koreans to America in the early 1900's. Burgess grew up in
Santa Fe, New Mexico attending bilingual schools in Spanish and English,
References
Daniel Schuman - daniel,.schuman@gmail.com
Deputy Director, Digital Outreach Team, Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications, United
States Department of State
Jill Staggs - staggsij@state.gov
Cultural Programs Officer, United States Department of State
Julie Soo Hyun Koo - soohyun.koo@dc.gov
Director, Office on Asian Pacific Islander Affairs for the District of Columbia
Leadership Experience
2016-present Full Professor of Dance GWU
2009-2017 CHAIR-DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DANCE GWU
Oversight of 25 faculty and 4 staff members. Responsible for strategic planning for the
Department inclusive of all new theatre and dance onsite and distance learning curricula as
well as global arts initiatives at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Oversight of recent
rebranding initiative and responsible for the doubling of dance majors and minors over 24
months. Specifically designed the new MFA in dance utilizing hybrid synchronous and
asynchronous technology.
1994-Present CULTURAL ENVOY-U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Strategically designed and implemented programs to represent the United States abroad to
over 30 countries including Jordan, Egypt, Israel, Peru, Mexico, Ecuador, Panama,
Venezuela, Mongolia and Korea among others.
1993-Present FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR-DANA TAI SOON BURGESS DANCE COMPANY
Washington, OC's premier contemporary dance company
Additional Experience
2012-2014 DANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR
The Arts Club of Washington
2008 SENIOR FULLBRIGHT SPECIALIST
San Marcos University, Lima, Peru
2007 SENIOR FULLBRIGHT SPECIALIST
National Ballet of Peru, Lima, Peru
2001-2008 ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR of DANCE GWU (2008-present)
ASSISTANT PROFFESSOR of DANCE GWU (2001-2008)
Courses taught: Modern Dance Technique, Understanding the Dance, Choreography,
Dance Kineseology, Dance and Community Settings, Repertoire, Dean's Seminar, also
responsible for directing the Faculty and Student Mainstage Dance Concerts as well as,
choreographing new works for the dance students.
1994-2008 INTERNATIONAL TEACHING RESIDENCIES
Ballet Hamburg, Germany
Sejong University, Korea
Pakistani National Cultural Council, Pakistan
University of Caracas, Venezuela
2000-2001 PART-TIME FACULTY of DANCE
George Washington University
Courses taught: Madern Dance Technique, Understanding the Dance, Kinesiology, Dean's
Seminar in Dance, also responsible for choreographing on scholarship students.
1995-1997 ADJUNCT FACULTY of DANCE
University of Maryland
Course designed and taught: sian American History through Dance
1995-1997 ADJUNCT FACULTY of DANCE
George Mason University
 Courses taught: Ballet, Modern Dance Technique and Asian Dance Forms
1992-1994 ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & FACULTY of DANCE
Georgetown University Dance Program
Courses taught: Modern Dance Technique, Choreography, and responsible for concert
direction and coordination, founded the Georgetown University Dance Student Alumni
Organization in 1993.
1994 DIRECTOR OF DANCE
Bell Multi-Cultural High School, a DC Public ESL School
Director of a DC public high school dance program with special curricular focus on (ESL)
English as a Second Language Leaming
Service to The George Washington University
2012-present GWu President's Council on Diversity
2010-2015 GWU Arts Initiative Committee
2010-2012 CCAS Diversity Committee
2010 GER Arts Committee
2010-2012 Study Abroad Advisory Committee
2006 to present Theatre and Dance Department Academic Committee
2005-2006 Faculty Advisor East Coast Asian American Union-in 2005 the organization hosted
the largest East Coast Conference for Asian Americans bringging over 800 APIA
undergraduates from different East coast schools to George Washington University
2004-present Theatre and Dance Department Library Liasson
2004-2005 Faculty Advisor for Dance Performance Project (OPP)
2003-present Faculty Advisor for Balance (Student Ballet Organization)
2003 Hosted the WAISDEA Dance festival at George Washington University bringing over
200 area private high school dancers
to the University for classes and to perform
Professional Organizations
2013-present Mayor's Council Commissioner for Asian Pacific Islander Affairs, Washington, DC
2009-present National Dance Education Organization (NDEO)
2006-2009 Capital Region Educators in Dance Organization (CREDO)
Founding Board Member
2005-2006 Metro DC Dance
Washington DC's Service Organization for Dance
Board
2004-2005 Washington Post Scholarship Awards Committee
 Scholarship Awards Committee
2001-present The Laurel Fund for the Performing Arts
Scholarship Awards Committee
1997-present Moving Forward: Contemporary Asian American Dance Company and Dana Tai
Soon Burgess & Co.
Founder and Board Member
1997 Commission on the Arts and Humanities
Commissioner appointed by the Mayor
1996-1999 Asia in Washington, a yearly showcase of the Kennedy Center
Curator
1994-1996 Asians in the Americas, a yearly showcase at the Dance Place
Curator
1993-1995 Asian American Arts and Media, Inc.
Board President
1992-1995 Washington Performing Ants Society
Community Steering Committee
Awards:
2018 Paul Re Peace Prize
2013 DC Mayor's Certificate of Appreciation
2012 DC Mayor's Certificate of Appreciation APIA Award
2012 Martin Luther King Commendation GWU
2011 Service Excellence Award Faculty Choice Award GWU
2009 DC Metro Dance Award-Best New Dance
2009 Distinguished Alumnus of U.S. Department of State
2008 DC Metro Dance Award-Best New Dance
2007 DC Metro Dance Award-Best Overrall Production
OC Metro Dance Award-Best Overall Production
2004 District of Columbia Mayor's Arts Award for Excellence in an Artistic Discipline
2003 DC Metro Dance Award-Best Overall Production
2003 Pola Narenska Award for excellence in the field of modern dance ($5,000)
2002 DC Metro Dance Award-Best Overall Production
2001 OC Metro Dance Award-Best Artistic Direction
1999 Mayoral Proclamation of Moving Forward: Contemporary Asian American Dance
Company Day in the District of Columbia
1997 District of Columbia Mayor's Arts Awards for Outstanding Emerging Artist in an
Artistic Discipline
1993 Herbert M. Price Memorial Award
Grants/Commissions
2016 First Choreographer in residence Smithsonian Institute
2016 Arts Fellowship, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, $6,000
2015 Arts Fellowship, OC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, $5,000
2013 Choreographic Commission, National Gallery of Art, DC $4,000
2013 National Endowment for the Arts, $10,000
2013 Arts incubator Fellowship, George Washington University, $18,000
2013 UFF Research Grant, George Washington University, $11,000
2013 Arts Fellowship, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, $5,000
2012 Asian Pacific Islander American Office of the Mayor, DC $22,500
2012 Cafritz Foundation, $15,000
2012 CCF Research Grant, George Washington University, $6,250
2012 Morningstar Foundation $12,000
2012 Marpat Foundation, $20,000
2010 UFF Research Grant, George Washington University, $12,000
2010 BC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, $12,000
2010 Asian Pacific Islander American Office of the Mayor, DC $16,000
2010 Marpat Foundation, $20,000
2010 Cafritz Foundation, $15,000
2009 State Department PerformingAnts Touring Initiative, $20,000
2009 MidAllantic Arts Foundation, $4,500
2009 Cafritz Foundation, $15,000
2009 Philip L Graham Fund, $10,000
2008 DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, $30,000
2008 Senior Fulbright Specialist Award to design curriculum for Peru's first modem dance
program, $5,000
2006 Senior Fulbright Specialist Award to teach and choreograph in Lima, Peru at the
National University of San Marcos, $5,000
2006 Washington Performing Arts Society Commission to create a new dance based on
the Marguerite Duras writings, $20,000
2005 DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Choreographic Fellowship, $5,000
2004 George Washington University Junior Scholar Incentive Award to choreograph a
new work on the National Ballet of Peru with live orchestration by the National Youth
Orchestra of Peru, $5,000
2004 State Department American Cultural Specialist to teach at the National Ballet of
Peru, $6,000
2004 George Washington University Travel Grant to present work and teach in Quito,
Mant and Guayaquil, Ecuador, $900
2004 Artslink Grant to tour work to the Latvian Operahouse in Riga, Latvia, $8,000
2003 Kennedy Center and Smithsonian Office of Asian Pacific American Commission to
create a new work to Commemmorate the Korean American Centennial, $20,000
2003 DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Choreographic Fellowship, $5,000
2001 DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Choreographic Fellowship, $5,000
2001 Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Dance Commission, $20,000
2001 State Department America Cultural Specialist to teach and choreographat the
University of Panama, Panama, $6,000
2000 Kennedy Center Commission to create a series of works based on the collaboration
of dance and sculpture, $20,000
Arts Funding and Scholarship Panel Member
2017 Korean Arts Council Touring ats panelist
2016 DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
2014 National Endowment for the Arts
2013 DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Grants in Aid
2012 American College Dance Festival Dance Magazine Award Adjudicator
2007-present Arlington County Arts Panel
2006 Pennsylvania Arts Council, PENN PAT Program
2006 Arlington Arts County Council, Performing Arts Program
2006 Montgomery County Council for the Arts, Performing Arts Organizations
2005 The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Young Artists Program
2004 The Washington Post Scholarship Awards, Scholarship Committee
2001-present The Laurel Fund for the Performing Arts, Scholarship Committee
2001 Arts International, New York, NY, Performing Arts
2000 Arts Intemational, New York, NY, Performing Arts
2000-2010 State Department Touring Awards
1999 USIA International, Touring Fund
1998 Pennsylvania State Arts Council, Dance Program
1998 DC Commission on the Arts, Commissioner Convener Grants in Aid
1997 Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation-New Jersey State Ans Council, Dance
1996 DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, City Arts Projects Program
1995 National Endowment for the Arts, Dance Program
Major Choreographic Performances
December 2017 1 Am Vertical National Portrait Gallery
August 2017 After 1001 Nights National Portrait Gallery
October 2016 Margin National Portrait Gallery
Sept 2015 We choose to go to the moon, Confluence, Mandala Kennedy Center
March 2015 The Foster Suites: Of Loss and Longing National Portrait Gallery
May 2014 Confluence at the National Portrait Gallery
March 2014 Revenant Elegy, Khaybet, Leaving Pusan and Homage performance and
educational tour to the British Virgin Islands by invitation of the Governor of the BVI
February 2014 Revenant Elegy, Khaybet, Leaving Pusan and Homage Kennedy Center
Sept 2013-July 2014 Resident Artist for the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, works created:
Homage and Confluence
August 2013, Revenant Elegy at the National Portrait Gallery in conjunction with Diagele