WORLD ARTS WEST IS PROUD TO PRESENT

ANN WOO

WITH THE

MALONGA CASUELOURD
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE FIELD OF
ETHNIC DANCE AND MUSIC

Ann Woo has devoted herself to bringing Chinese arts and culture, particularly dance, to the American public for more than 30 years, as a dancer, choreographer, playwright, and producer. She began her dance training at the age of 14, and was a lead dancer, and later the Executive Director, for San Francisco’s Chinese Folk Dance Association. She co-founded the Asian Heritage Council in the South Bay in 1984, and went on to found the Chinese Performing Artists of America (CPAA) in 1991, where she continues to serve as the Executive Director. Under her management, the organization has served more than 900,000 people over the last 17 years.

One of CPAA’s top priorities is to bring quality arts education to the public. With this in mind, Ann Woo established YaoYong Dance in 1997, the CPAA Arts Center in 2004, and Shaolin Temple USA in 2007, teaching and serving 1,400 children and adult students in the South Bay. In 2005, she launched the International Multi-Arts Festival to motivate youth to participate in the arts, and the Festival has grown into an annual event that attracts top competitors from the Bay Area, out-of-state, and abroad. She also serves as an instructor and choreographer for her own dance company, and has taught master classes for Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley.

A pillar in the arts and culture communities of Northern California, Ann Woo has been consistently recognized for her invaluable contributions. She was awarded the 2002 Women’s Achievement Award in Art by the Silicon Valley Women’s Fund. She received the 2003 Crest Award from the City of Cupertino, and the Asian Hero 2003 Award from Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss. World Journal recognized her as a Community Hero in 2004, and KQED recognized her as their Local Asian Hero in 2006. In March 2008, she opened a new 12,000 square foot facility for CPAA, which will benefit many thousands of students. Located in South San Jose, the center is the home of the organization’s multidisciplinary programs, and is the realization of a longstanding dream.