Asian Artists Access
Asian Artists Access, founded in 2026, offers free movement workshops to the public in an effort to make connections with Asian movement facilitators more accessible. Through accessible, inclusive, intentionally diverse, and engaging movement practices, the program creates opportunities for participants to explore creativity, culture, and self-expression while building relationships with artists from diverse Asian backgrounds. By centering the voices and practices of Asian facilitators, Asian Artists Access encourages cultural exchange, strengthens community ties, and expands opportunities for artists to share their expertise in welcoming spaces open to all.
Asian Artists Access is open to all, age 18 and older, to attend no matter of race, ethnicity, culture, background, training, etc.
Obremski/Works is excited to roll out it's annual year programming with the artists for 2026 below:
- Saturday, September 5th:
9:30am-11:15am: Ballet with Tiare Keeno
12pm-2pm: Peter Chu Repertory and Hélène Simoneau with Jie-Hung Connie Shiau
2:30pm-4:30pm: Kathak Unveiled - crafting rhythmic patterns and expressive storytelling with Barkha Patel
- Sunday, September 6th:
9:30am-11:15am: Limón with Ian Debono
12pm-2pm: Robert Battle Repertory and Jessica Lang Repertory with Kanji Segawa
2:30pm-4:30pm: Open Level Hip Hop with Jonathan Lee
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San Francisco native Ian Debono (he/him) graduated from The Juilliard School with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance in 2023 under the direction of Alicia Graf Mack. He has performed works by Ohad Naharin, Donald McKayle, Paul Taylor, Trisha Brown, Medhi Walerski, Jermaine Spivey, Spenser Theberge, and Christian Denice among others. In 2019, he graduated from the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts, working with artists Gregory Dawson, Arturo Fernandez, and Claudia Anata Hubiak, while attending San Francisco Academy of Ballet under the direction of Richard Gibson and Zory Karah. Professionally, Ian has performed in Oakland Ballet Company’s Nutcracker, West Edge Opera’s production of Eliogabalo, and various works with Chamber Dance Project.
Debono joined Obremski/Works in 2024.
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Tiare Keeno (she/her) grew up in Utah and began her studies as a dancer at the age of three. While still attending high school, Tiare joined Nevada Ballet Theatre as a guest company member where she performed George Balanchine’s Serenade and worked in collaboration with Cirque du Soleil. Upon graduation, she attended The Juilliard School under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes and graduated with her BFA in 2016. While there, she worked with choreographers Camille A. Brown, Kyle Abraham, Lea Ved, and performed the repertoire of Jíri Kylián, Twyla Tharp as well as lead roles in Martha Graham’s Dark Meadow and José Limón’s Missa Brevis. Tiare has attended Springboard Danse Montreal where she performed the repertoire of Aszure Barton, RUBBERBAND Dance Group, and Kidd Pivot. In 2017, she spent 18 months in Macau, China in creation for a cirque show with MGM and ScenoPlus Productions. Upon her return to the U.S. she performed in Al Blackstone’s Freddie Falls in Love at the Joyce Theater in NYC. Soon after, Tiare moved to Los Angeles to join the contemporary repertory company, BODYTRAFFIC. While there, she collaborated with and performed works by Micaela Taylor, Matthew Neenan, Richard Siegal, Hofesh Shechter, Fernando Hernando Magadan, Baye and Asa, Brian Brooks, and Trey McIntyre, among others. She was promoted to Rehearsal Director for her final season with the company. Tiare teaches and choreographs for studios and young artists across the U.S. and she periodically works at New York City Dance Alliance as a guest teacher and adjudicator. She is the newest board member of Share The Movement, an organization that aims to increase diversity in the dance community through educational and financial support for young BIPOC dancers. Tiare is thrilled and humbled to be back in NYC, joining Gibney Company for her first season as an Artistic Associate. Tiare Keeno joined Obremski/Works in 2025.
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Jonathan Lee is a multifaceted performer, choreographer, director, and educator whose extraordinary career has made an impact across the worlds of music, television, film, theater, and dance. As a celebrated backup singer, dancer, and choreographer, he has collaborated with an impressive roster of Grammy Award-winning icons, including Madonna, Beyoncé, Gloria Estefan, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, Tracy Chapman, and Joe. His extensive screen credits include appearances in You’ve Got Mail, Chappelle’s Show, The View, and Good Morning America.
On stage, Jonathan has brought his artistry to acclaimed productions including Once on This Island, The Wiz, West Side Story, The King & I, and Miss Saigon. His creative vision and movement expertise have led to collaborations with globally recognized brands and networks such as Disney, MTV, Nickelodeon, Rodeo Houston, Coca-Cola, and Pepsi. Jonathan has also directed award-winning short films and contributed to production teams for feature films, showcasing his versatility as a storyteller and creative leader.
Currently, Jonathan shares his expertise as a hip hop instructor at Alvin Ailey and continues to inspire the next generation of artists. His work and achievements have been recognized by leading publications including Time Out NY, Dance Magazine, Dance Spirit, and Dance Teacher.
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barkha patel is a touring kathak artist, choreographer, educator and Artistic Director of barkha dance company.
barkha’s work has been presented at venues such as Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out, Little Island, 92Y, and Chelsea Factory among others. barkha has been recipient of the 2023 Juried Bessie Award through which she received support from the New York State Dance Force in 2024, to tour a full-evening work ahaM | Maha.
barkha was awarded the Princess Grace Dance Award ‘24, selected as a finalist for NEFA’s NDP Finalist ‘24, and was a Harlem Stage WaterWorks Fellow ‘24. She has been a recipient of residencies with Movement Research, NYS Choreographic Institute, and an AAPI residency with Topaz Arts. She completed her first India tour across six cities in ‘25 in collaboration with Canadian based kathak artist Tanveer Alam.
barkha currently is a recipient of the Special Projects Grant from the Princess Grace Foundation through which she is developing a new evening-length work set to premiere on Sept 25th - 26th at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center with the support of the CUNY CDI.
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Kanji Segawa was a dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater under the direction of Robert Battle from 2011–2023 and became Assistant Rehearsal Director in 2024. Originally from Kanagawa, Japan, he began his dance training with his mother Erika Akoh, studying ballet with Kan Horiuchi and Ju Horiuchi in Tokyo. Segawa was awarded the Japanese Government Artist Fellowship in 1997 to train at The Ailey School. A former member of Ailey II and Battleworks, he danced extensively for Mark Morris and performed as a principal dancer in John Adams’ Nixon in China at The Metropolitan Opera. Since 1999, Segawa has been Creative Associate for Jessica Lang, assisting with her creations for companies worldwide including American Ballet Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, The Royal Ballet, and The National Ballet of Japan, as well as at The Royal Ballet School and the Partner School Choreographic Project at Prix de Lausanne 2025. With Lang, Segawa co-choreographed the world premiere production of Turandot for The Washington National Opera, directed by Francesca Zambello. He has assisted Robert Battle in staging his works at institutions including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, and The Royal Ballet School. Segawa was a nominee for Dance Europe magazine’s Dancer of the Year 2024 for his performances with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
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Jie-Hung Connie Shiau (she/her), was born in Gainesville, Florida, raised in Tainan, Taiwan. Graduated from The High School Division For Dance of Taipei National University of the Arts (TNUA), and the Dance Conservatory of SUNY Purchase College. Shiau is a dancer, choreographer, and educator. Shiau has worked as a collaborator with an array of companies, including Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham, Gallim Dance, Hélène Simoneau Danse, MeenMoves, Adam Barruch/Anatomiae Occultii, and Kevin Wynn Works. She has performed works by Crystal Pite, Ohad Naharin, Lou Conte, Kyle Abraham, Brian Brooks, Peter Chu, Robyn Mineko Williams, Alejandro Cerrudo, Helen Simoneau, Sameena Mitta, Rena Butler, Alice Klock, Hanna Kiel, Osnel Delgado, Adam Barruch, and Kevin Wynn. Shiau is currently freelancing in New York City and is an Artistic Associate with Gibney Company.
Shiau has taught nationally and internationally at National Cheng Kung University, Sheng Kung Girls High School, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, AIM by Kyle Abraham’s summer and winter intensives, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s summer intensives. Shiau has restaged Kyle Abraham’s repertories at SUNY Purchase College, Point Park University, Cornish College, Rutgers University, Princeton University, Queensborough Community College, Booker T. Washington Visual and Performing Arts High School.
Shiau has presented works at New Choreographer Project in Taipei, Taiwan, Loyola University, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago summer intensives, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s 43rd virtual season.
In addition, Shiau was a recipient of Chicago Dancemaker Forum Greenhouse Artist in 2019, Dance Magazine’s “25 To Watch” in 2018, Honorable Mention for Jadin Wong Award for Emerging Asian American Dancer in 2014, and Reverb Dance Festival Dancer Award in 2014.
Shiau joined Obremski/Works in 2021.
