Linxin
"Kisa" Li

A Voice: 

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As a queer immigrant Asian woman, my life has been a journey of continuous evolution and boundary-pushing. Growing up in China, I discovered the transformative power of movement to express my inner world and imagined reality at a young age. Dance became a medium to share my true self with the world, beyond language.

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Ten years ago, at 20 years old, I came to the United States, which presented an opportunity for reinvention and challenged me to adapt while remaining true to my roots. Everything I have experienced in the United States has made me more determined to create art that gives voice to the underrepresented and marginalized.

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Experiences of exclusion due to my race, skin color, queer identity, and immigrant background in the United States have fueled my commitment to advocating for diversity and inclusion; an environment where everyone feels welcomed, seen, and empowered. These encounters with marginalization have profoundly shaped my identity and informed my approach as an artist and educator.

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My theoretical approach to artistic practice is rooted in the belief that performance has the power to dismantle oppressive structures and offer new perspectives on identity and culture. Storytelling through movement, choreography, film, and other mediums remains my passion. I strive to highlight marginalized voices and visualize the unspoken. Themes of racial justice, identity, sexuality, community healing, and social justice drive my creative process. Art allows me to heal and can transform struggles into empowerment.

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I am committed to using the arts to inspire positive change, foster empathy, and change the world through small efforts in arts, teaching, and my creative work. I am dedicated to pushing boundaries to create an inclusive future despite challenges. I am eager to contribute new perspectives through academic research, collaboration, and social practice, building bridges between higher education and the real world, and empowering generations to fearlessly embrace change.