Fairfax County Honors Reston's Gin Dance Company After 16-Year Run

RESTON, VA — A Reston-based professional dance company that brought performances to the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap and other major venues has disbanded after 16 years, prompting Fairfax County leaders to recognize its contributions to the arts and community.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors honored Gin Dance Company on Tuesday with a proclamation recognizing its artistic achievements and educational outreach. The contemporary dance troupe announced in August that it was disbanding.

Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn presented the proclamation and described the occasion as both a celebration and a farewell.

"This is a little bit bittersweet, but it's certainly something that celebrates all the work that you've done," Alcorn said. "This is a great example of folks coming out of Reston and doing things regionally and beyond."

Founded in 2011 by artistic director Shu-Chen Cuff, Gin Dance Company was among the few full-time professional dance companies in Fairfax County.

The troupe combined Eastern artistic traditions with Western contemporary dance styles, including ballet and modern dance, reflecting Northern Virginia's multicultural community.

Its diverse ensemble included up to 14 dancers from different ethnic backgrounds.

From Reston To National Stages

Over the years, Gin Dance Company performed at some of the region's best-known arts venues, including the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap and Capital One Hall.

Its performances also took the company to New York City, Richmond and events such as the DC Mayor's Arts Awards and TEDxMidAtlantic.

The company commissioned original choreography and collaborated with nationally and internationally recognized artists, including kinetic sculpture artist Kevin Reese, Chinese dulcimer musician Chao Tian and choreographer Christian Denice.

For the past two years, Gin Dance Company also organized the Aurora Dance Fest at Capital One Hall. Each festival featured more than 100 performers representing 10 dance companies, showcasing works by 16 choreographers.

Bringing Dance Into The Community

Beyond its stage performances, Gin Dance Company worked to make dance accessible to residents of different ages and abilities.

The troupe offered workshops at local schools, senior centers and community centers, teaching modern and traditional dance techniques.

Some classes incorporated seated movements to accommodate participants with physical limitations.

Beginning in March 2020, the company also provided more than 250 free virtual dance workshops, expanding access to dance instruction beyond traditional performance spaces.

The Story Behind Gin Dance Company

Cuff immigrated from Taiwan to the United States in 1994 to pursue a professional dance career.

Trained in ballet, modern dance, Chinese opera and Chinese folk dance, she performed with Miami Ballet, Nevada Ballet Theater and the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company.

After 27 years as a professional dancer, Cuff gave her final performance as a principal dancer at Capital One Hall in November 2023.

Her career earned nominations for Outstanding Choreographer and Outstanding Individual Performer at the Dance MetroDC Awards, along with a fellowship from the Virginia Commission for the Arts. She was also recognized as a 2024 ArtsFairfax Achievement Award honoree.

The company's name has a personal connection to its founder.

According to the Gin Dance Company website, Cuff's given name, Shu-Gin, was incorrectly translated on her immigration paperwork when she arrived in the United States.

Although she did not correct the mistake at the time, she later reclaimed the name when establishing her dance company.

The name "Gin," given to her by her father, means "real," "truthful" and "sincere."

The county's proclamation recognizes the company's artistic accomplishments and its efforts to bring dance education and performances to residents throughout Fairfax County and beyond.