Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan
Founder and Artistic Director of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, Lin Hwai-min studied Chinese opera movement in his native Taiwan, modern dance in New York, and classical court dance in Japan and Korea. He founded the company in 1973.
An internationally renowned choreographer, Lin often draws from traditional Asian culture for inspiration and material to create works with innovative forms and contemporary relevance.
For his artistic achievements, Lin received the Distinguished Citizen of Taipei Award (2003), an Honorary Doctorate from National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan (2003), the National Award for Arts, for the second time, from Taiwan National Culture and Arts Foundation (2002), the Fok Ying Tung Contribution Prize (2001), an Honorary Doctorate from National Chung Cheng University of Taiwan (1999), the Ramon Magsaysay Award (1999), the so called "the Nobel Prize of Asia," an Honorary Award of Fellowship by the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (1997), a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Department of Culture of New York City (1996), and named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons in the World by Jaycees International (1983). Lin was featured as the "Choreographer of the 20th Century" by Dance Europe magazine, cited as the "Best Choreographer" at Lyon Biannual Festival, and chosen to be one of the "Personalities of the Year," along with Merce Cunningham, Jiri Kylian, Pina Bausch and William Forsythe, by Ballet International magazine in year 2000.
An acclaimed writer, Lin holds an MFA from the Writers' Workshop, University of Iowa. His novel Cicada is an all-time best seller in Taiwan, and several of his works have been translated into English and published in the United States.
Lin founded the Department of Dance at Taiwan's National Taipei University of the Arts in 1983 and served as its Chairman for five years. In 1993 and 1994, he was the founding dean of the institute's graduate dance program. In 1999, he gave master classes in Cambodia, assisting local dancers to organize teaching materials of Khmer classical dance for children.
Lin Hwai-min made his debut as an opera director when Rashomon received its world premiere in 1996 to rave reviews at the Graz Opera, Austria. His production for Tosca in 2002 with National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan was a hit in Taipei.
Since year 2000, Lin has also been serving as the Artistic Director of "Novel Hall New Dance Series," introducing internationally renowned avant-garde groups and artists to dance lovers in Taiwan.
