Folk dance reflects the daily life and cultural traditions of various ethnic communities, often passed down through generations as an expression of heritage.
Asian folk dances encompass a wide range of styles, each tied to specific cultural, spiritual, or festive occasions, with unique rhythms, attire, and emotions.
At AANY, we are proud to showcase artists who preserve and evolve these cherished traditions for the New York community.
Milim began dancing in South Korea at a young age and continued her passion for traditional dance after moving to the U.S. in 1985. In 2017, she rekindled her love for Korean dance after meeting teacher Eunjoo Kang in New Jersey. Milim has since performed traditional dances around Albany, specializing in Salouri, a sorrowful yet renewing dance, and Taepyeongmu—a court dance symbolizing peace. Taepyeongmu, one of South Korea’s “Important Intangible Cultural Properties,” was historically performed by royalty during the Joseon dynasty. Milim is an active member of both the Korean Association of Albany and the Korean Association of the Federation.
Kayla, talented 13, began dancing at age three and has received 10 years of training. She is the 2022 and 2023 National Dance Champion and performed as Clara in The Nutcracker at Proctors Theatre with North East Ballet in 2022 and 2023. Trained by teacher Singwa Lee, Kayla combines her ballet skills with traditional Chinese dance, and has performed at The Egg in 2024 and 2025. At age 12, she also began choreographing Chinese dance and has been well received by audiences.
Amy Zeng has transformed her passion for folk dance into a vibrant artistic presence. Versatile and expressive, she performs in a variety of styles including Traditional Chinese, Mongolian, and Tibetan dance. Amy has graced stages such as the UAlbany Performing Arts Center, The Egg, and Proctors Theatre. As the leader of a community folk dance club, she actively promotes cultural expression through performance and collaboration. In 2025, she was featured on the front page of the Times Union for her performance at the OGS Lunar New Year Celebration.
