Dana Tai Soon Burgess was born February 26, 1968. He is a performance artist, internationally acclaimed choreographer, and cultural figure. His work has tended to focus on the "hyphenated person" - someone who is of mixed ethnic or cultural heritage - as well as issues of belonging and societal acceptance. In May, 2014 he was quoted in Smithsonian magazine as saying his artistic focus had shifted to exploring the idea of "cultural confluence". He serves as a cultural envoy for the U.S. State Department, an appointment he uses to promote international cultural dialogue through "the global language of dance". Throughout his career, Burgess has performed, taught, and choreographed around the world.