Raised in Seattle by parents who emigrated from Hoisan, China, she relocated to New York City in 1969 to pursue performance. Early training combined Broadway work-debuting as Miss Higa Jiga in the 1970 production of Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen-with intensive study of African dance under Syvilla Fort as a member of the Katherine Dunham Company, giving her a versatile foundation in stage and movem…
