Embodies the diverse Asian American experience, exploring assimilation pressure and cultural identity. Through the personal experiences of a first-gen American-born Korean, a Hong Kong native, and 4th/3rd gen American-born Chinese/Filipino, we challenge the model minority myth and immigrant romanticization of the American Dream. Our goal is to bridge cultural divides and honor the Asian American experience through dance.

Dancers @stephshin2 @chiemiip @davidcartahenalee
Choreographer @daviiidglee Videographer @suka.wav
Location @elskerstudio
Music Risky Business @zhu

Have you ever felt social anxiety? Sometimes there is a voice in my head, telling me to worry about things that alter my perception of reality. And sometimes it just takes a friend to say, hey it's okay, to calm me down and ground me. False Narratives

Choreography: David Cartahena Lee

Dancers: Annika Wong, Stephanie Shin, Maya Wong, Dani Troung, Lexi Vernes, Dahyun Kim

Performed at the Jazz Choreography Enterprise's fall showcase 2023 at Peridance's KnJ Theater in New York.

Music: "It makes you forget (Itgehane)" by Peggy Gou

In this dance we dive into generational trauma, how it has affected us in different ways, how the shadows of our past haunt our present forcing us to confront and process. it is then, through process and acknowledgment that we can move forward with the scars of our past. this is nuanced with our specific experiences as asians, understanding that shared trauma exists. that confronting that dark can cause turmoil but through community and solidarity we can find the strength to help one another to move forward.

Choreography: David Cartahena Lee

Music:” Feeling it”, “Therapy”, and “Feelings Change” by Yaeji

Dancers: Dahyun Kim, Annika Wong, Destiny Nguyen, Shizu Higa

Thank you to Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Company’s Studio to Stage residency program

NYU Production Lab Fellow works in process showcase We started this process with the question: What does it mean to be unseen and unheard? This resulted in conversations about the growing strain language barrier became as they no longer were able to communicate to their loved ones, social expectations for them to move aside or apologize first, and we are expected to put ourselves anything but first.

Dancers: Mags Bartek, Amelia Larson, Denise Chan, Tobi Lee, Jenn Tran, Destiny Nguyen, Natasha Huang, Karin Furui, and Hovie Nguyen

Choreographed by David Cartahena Lee

Club NYC Jan 20, 2024 Music: "Patron Tequila" by the Paradiso Girls, Lil Jon, and Eve

location: 3 Dollar Bill - Bushwick, Brooklyn

videography: ajfilmss

Music: “Work it” by @billonmusic
Choreography/editing: David Cartahena Lee
Dancers: @rebeccastanley_ @mdancent @sianaakim @yurie.siva @chiemiip @vinnycakes1802

Videography: @suka.wav

Thanks @foodtownsupermarkets in bushwick for playing great music while we shop. I wouldn’t have found this song without you! Thank you to all the dancers for putting this together in a week with one rehearsal! Siana for making the mood board and helping with costumes! Jaymes for the camera skills!

DanceMark Studio (Lomita, CA)

Small group - Open Style
8 Dancers (ages 13+)

Choreographed by David Cartahena Lee
Music “Distant Lights” by ZHU

NYU Dance Education Masters Concert

Small group - contemporary, house, whacking, street jazz
7 Dancers (NYU students -adv beg/intermediate)

Choreography : David Cartahena Lee in collaboration with dancers
Music: "Dont touch my hair" - cover by Normani (originally by Solonge), "Cranes in the sky" - by Solonge (Kaytranada remix)

Dancers: Carlie Bonilla, Da Hyun Kim, Dom M. Fontenot, Harrison Yu, Nico Archambault, Roulan Li, Veronica Santana
Video: BeccaVision

Original idea was "how white people dont pay attention when they walk, particularly with BIPOC" which later transformed into looking at our own privileges and how we knowingly or unknowingly perpetrate systems of oppression. Reflecting on our privilege to escape and often ignore the harsh realities of the world.

NYU Distinguished Faculty Concert

Medium group - Hip Hop, House, Whacking, Jazz Funk
12 Dancers (NYU students and alumni - intermediate)

Choreography: David Cartahena Lee in collaboration with dancers
Music: “Centering” by Acronym, “Out of This World” by Lion Babe
Mix: @suka.wav