Welcome to
Creative Minds Collaborative
CMC is a non-profit organization, established by Nao Kusuzaki in order to cultivate cultural understanding in the diverse community we live in. We achieve this through creation and presentation of collaborative dance programs and educational community outreach and workshops for all ages.
Reflecting upon how we create awareness and empower the communities around us, we seek to bring to attention relevant issues through artistic expressions, provide artists the platform to perform, cultivating the next generation of dancers, and making space for the community to connect with one another.
Deeply rooted cultural stories express knowledge, worldviews, and traditions. They draw on observation, lived experience, and the unknown to create meaning, shared values, and a sense of belonging. We seek to continue retelling these stories into the next generations, reflecting on the interconnectedness of all living beings.
Upcoming Event
Kodama ★ Echoes Across Time
(New Work by Nao Kusuzaki)
Kodama ★ Echoes Across Time is a visually stunning original dance work that celebrates Japan’s rich artistic legacy through movement, illustration, and storytelling. Drawing inspiration from anime, manga, and centuries of Japanese artistry, this performance bridges tradition and contemporary expression in a powerful, immersive experience.
📅 Performance Date & Times
Sunday, February 1st, 2026
Show 1: 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Show 2: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
🎭 About the Performance
Created by Nao Kusuzaki, Kodama ★ Echoes Across Time is performed by the Houston Contemporary Dance Company and features live, onstage illustrations by acclaimed manga artist Acky Bright.
The work explores how Japan’s artistic heritage—spanning centuries—continues to echo through modern global pop culture. Movement, visual art, and narrative intertwine to create an unforgettable stage experience.
📍 Venue & Host
Presented by Asia Society Texas
Address:
1370 Southmore Blvd
Houston, TX 77004
Phone: 713-496-9901
🎟 Tickets & More Information
For tickets, details, and updates, visit:
👉 https://asiasociety.org/texas
🤝 Support & Partners
Presenting Sponsors
Symal and Susmita Poddar
Program Sponsors
City of Houston
National Endowment for the Arts
Texas Commission on the Arts
Program Sponsor
Humanities Texas
Program Partners
Houston Contemporary Dance Company
Creative Minds Collaborative
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Artists From Our Current Project
Hayden Stark
Dancer/Choreographer
Kaoru Watanabe
Composer/Musician
Jennifer Mabus
Dancer/Choreographer
Jacqui Sutton
Poet
Patrick Moore
Cellist
Nao Kusuzaki
Executive/Artistic Director
Shohei Iwahama
Dancer/Choreographer
Past Event
Meiji Dances
In Celebration of Meiji Modern
Fifty Years of New Japan Exhibition at MFAH
About MEIJI Dances
A Dance at the Meiji Modern”, is a new dance piece choreographed by Nao Kusuzaki, Artistic Director of Creative Minds Collaborative in honor of the exhibition – Meiji Modern- Fifty Years of New Japan. The new work explores themes of tradition versus modernity, cultural identity, and the human experience inspired by curated art works within the exhibition.
The movements intertwine traditional Japanese dance forms with contemporary vocabularies, reflecting the collision and integration of the Western influences. The soundscape blends Meiji-era Japanese composers like Rentaro Taki and Kosaku Yamada, with imported Western music by Saint-Saën, creating an atmosphere that mirrors the era’s cultural amalgamation.
Set in modern day Japan, this dance narrative mirrors the spirit of the era it seeks to portray, celebrating both the richness of Japan’s heritage and its embrace of global influences.
Event: Meiji Dances
Date: August 22, 2024
Place: Museum of Fine Arts
Brown Auditorium
1001 Bissonnet St
Houston TX 77005
Performance at at 7:00pm
Date: August 22, 2024
Place: Museum of Fine Arts
Brown Auditorium
1001 Bissonnet St
Houston TX 77005
Performance at at 7:00pm
Scan the QR Code Above for Program Notes for Meiji Dances