DieuThao and I first met when she auditioned for my choreographic project, Garden of the Wilis, in 2021. DieuThao was a visceral, engaging presence from the first moment in rehearsals, emotionally open, and consistently inventive. I work in a devised manner, utilizing many varied prompts to generate an apt movement vocabulary and character elements specific to each performer’s mind-body. It is a holistic approach that DieuThao seemed hungry and ready for, and she was practically the best performer out of ten core dancers. (2023)

I’ve worked with Dieu-Thao while she was in the company I started in Omaha, NE. She is such a brilliantly embodied mover who’s unbelievably connected to her intuition and self. She has the uncanny ability to blend into dance styles flawlessly. Whether it be Jazz, Street Styles, Modern, or Contemporary dance, Dieu-Thao fully embodies the nature and groove of the movement. Her choreographic work is thoughtful and full of intentions. She flows well between virtuosic, high-energy movement and tenderness in gesture. Her movement and phrase work tells a story and truly pulls the audience into the world she’s creating. (2023)

Thao came into the dance program with incredible technical skills. She has extended her virtuosity into choreography–a recent solo she choreographed will be presented at the Evening of Dance concert on the main stage of the Lied Center in April. Thao has consistently been selected to perform for guest artists, including Bill T Jones and Rennie Harris; she appeared in their Lied Center concerts. Thao is an excellent student dedicated to beliefs centered around diversity, inclusion, and access for all people. She sets a luminous example of positivity, inclusion, and action in the fights against bigotry, racism, and intolerance through dance and other platforms as well. (2021) (Dieu-Thao received the Anne and William Porter Awards for Creativity in the Dance Division. This award is given to a student who have demonstrated the highest level of achievement and excellence in dance.)