Lisa Ho

March 9, 2012


Dance artist Lisa Ho
Hair by Nicole Kamensek


Lisa Ho is a dancer, singer and actor who has worked broadway productions such as "Mamma Mia! The Musical" and "Shrek the Musical" in New York.  She was raised in a family of dancers.  Her mother was Madame Mimie Ho, Founder/Director General of the Strathcona Chinese Dance Company (SCDC).  Madame Mimie Ho was honoured as the first Chinese Canadian woman to receive the Civic Merit Award from the City.  Lisa's mother passed a couple of years ago, quite suddenly for the family.  The doctor at the hospital had found a large brain hemorrhage on the same day she had complained of a uncomfortable headache.  Within twenty-fours, her daughters who were working in the States rushed back to see her passing.  In the last couple of years, Lisa along with her sister Val Ho, both of whom work as dancers in New York, return to Vancouver several times to help their sister Anabel honour their mom's memory for her dedication as a dance instructor, volunteer and community advocate.   I was very happy to capture this year's photos of her mom's legacy in the 2012 Vancouver Chinatown Chinese New Year Parade which she help start.  Back when the parade started, there was not too many people but it has grown to a big community event for every Chinese New Year in Vancouver.  In February, Lisa also helped her sister Anabel Ho prepare the Strathcona Dance Company for a showing at Discover Dance! in the Dance Centre where Lisa herself performed a moving piece on her roots.  It was a great show and one audience member even thought it was best one she has seen at Discover Dance! on that day.  I was fortunate to have a fun shoot with Lisa and her friend, hair stylist Nicole Kamensek in March.  We played around with different ideas and costumes.  I really love these photos of Lisa in white.