Board Matter September 15, 2026
Background: For the past 16 years, the Reston-based Gin Dance Company has transformed contemporary dance in our region, provided free and accessible programs to audiences of all ages, and drawn national and international talent to Fairfax County.
These artistic contributions will have a lasting impact even as the troupe disbanded following their final performance last week at Capital One Hall. The Washington Post lauded their farewell performance as one of the best dance shows to see this fall.
Founded in 2011 by Artistic Director Shu-Chen Cuff and Executive Director Gary Cuff, the company blended Eastern influences with Western contemporary dance forms such as modern dance and ballet. This distinctive approach intentionally reflected the multicultural fabric of Fairfax County and Northern Virginia more broadly. The company’s 14-member troupe — 12 women and two men representing diverse ethnic backgrounds — also mirrored and celebrated the diversity of the audiences it served.
Over the years, Gin Dance Company performed at many prestigious venues and events, including The Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, DC Mayor’s Arts Awards at the Lincoln Theatre, DUMBO Dance Festival in Brooklyn, TEDxMidAtlantic FAST FORWARD, and Reston Community Center, among many other stages.
The troupe strived to make dance accessible to a broad and diverse audience. The company partnered with Fairfax County Public Schools, community centers, and local organizations to provide performances, workshops and educational programming. For example, these programs included workshops at local senior centers, where participants explored modern and folkloric choreography, including seated movement adapted to accommodate different physical abilities. Since 2020, the troupe also provided more than 250 free virtual dance workshops.
Throughout its 16-year history, the company also attracted national and international talent to our region through collaborations with renowned artists, including the kinetic sculpture artist, Kevin Reese, the Chinese Dulcimer musician, Chao Tian, and award-winning choreographer Christian Denice, among others. For the last two years, Gin Dance also hosted “The Aurora Dance Fest” with each event featuring over 100 performers from 10 dance companies in works choreographed by 16 different choreographers, many of whom traveled from across the country to perform at Capital One Hall, further establishing Fairfax County as a destination for innovative and diverse contemporary dance.
I want to thank and commend the Gin Dance Company, Shu-Chen and Gary Cuff and all the dancers for enriching the arts and cultural life in Fairfax County and Northern Virginia. Their legacy will live on through the many people they touched and inspired.
Motion: Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I ask without objection that the Office of Public Affairs prepare a resolution to recognize Gin Dance Company for their artistic contributions to be presented in the board room on October 13, 2026.
