WAA at Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo & Busan International Performing Arts Market
Uniquely American Artists
The West has long been the gateway to Asia, and WAA is building on that legacy with our 2026 trade mission. In October, WAA will lead a delegation of arts professionals to two major East Asian performing arts gatherings with meaningful financial support, on-the-ground expertise, and the community of a curated US delegation behind you.
Support for this mission comes from the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration’s (ITA) Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) which facilitates relationship-building with international partners and provides travel support for delegations of artists and other performing arts professionals to participate in overseas conferences and events.
From September 30-October 7, twelve professionals, representing agencies and dance companies and presenters from across the country will join WAA at the fourth annual Busan Performing Arts Market (BPAM), produced by the Busan Cultural Foundation. With over 300 delegates from across Korea, Asia, and beyond, BPAM pairs meaningful industry programming with major public-facing performances – including a showcase by Sō Percussion, represented by WAA member, and BPAM delegate, Alliance Artist Management.
Following BPAM, from October 7-14, thirteen delegates will attend the second biennial edition of Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo (HKPAX), which unites the performing arts sector across China, Hong Kong, Asia, and beyond. Its inaugural edition welcomed more than 1,600 delegates from 60 countries. The expo combines robust professional programming and networking with large-scale public performances reaching local audiences in the tens of thousands.
Meet the 2026 WAA delegation to BPAM and HKPAX:
Agents & Artists
Devin Baker is the Touring Manager and Rehearsal Director for Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC), collaborating with presenters to secure performance opportunities and representing the company at APAP and WAA. Since joining DCDC in 2014, he has leveraged over 20 years of experience as a performer, educator, choreographer, Bessie Award-featured artist, and US Cultural Ambassador to champion DCDC’s global vision. BPAM/HKPAX
Reba Cafarelli was named Executive of Third Coast Percussion after serving for 7 years as the organization’s General Manager As a result of her work to help the organization navigate challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, she was named a 2022 Top Professional of the Year by Musical America. Prior to joining the team at TCP, she worked with an array of stellar arts organizations across Chicago including Ear Taxi Festival, UChicago Presents, and the Grant Park Music Festival. HKPAX
2016 Liz Silverstein NAPAMA Award recipient Laura Colby formed Elsie Management in 1995. Representing a celebrated global roster of award-winning dance, theater, and outdoor spectacle, Elsie specializes in singular voices for the global stage. Colby’s leadership roles include serving on the APAP board, in the position of Vice President her final term. Colby’s book A Roadmap to Managing the Performing Arts was published in May, 2026. She received her BFA in dance from The Juilliard School. HKPAX
Joseph Copley has a BFA in Dance from SUNY Purchase, 2003. Upon graduation Joseph danced professionally with Oakland Ballet, Margaret Jenkins Dance Company, and more. He received a "Next Generation Arts Leadership Grant" from the Center of Cultural Innovation, and went to business school at SF City College. In 2013 he was hired at ODC as their first Company Manager. Now, Joseph is Director of Artistic Planning, overseeing ODC's 52 weeks of Artistic Activities, including all aspects of touring. BPAM/HKPAX
Amy Davidman is a partner, agent and co-founder of TBA based in the Bay Area. A veteran agent with more than 20 years’ experience, Davidman began her career at the legendary Bowery Ballroom and went on to work with esteemed David Lefkowitz Management before focusing on the live business working at High Road Touring, Windish and Paradigm. Her client list includes José González, Ana Tijoux, Pink Martini, Hiatus Kaiyote, Caribou, Adi Oasis, Camila Fernández, Cut Copy, Devendra Banhart, Tirzah, & more. Davidman’s leadership extends well beyond TBA into education, mentorship, social justice, industry issues, and myriad panel discussions and appearances. BPAM/HKPAX
Rodney Hill, a North Philadelphia native, has been a leader in Hip-Hop culture since 1988. An internationally recognized dancer, choreographer, educator, and arts executive, he has toured with artists including Musiq SoulChild, Boyz II Men, Will Smith, EVE, 50 Cent, and The Roots. A U.S. Hip-Hop Ambassador, Hill has performed and taught worldwide. He holds a Master’s in Choreography from Wilson College and currently is the Executive Director of Rennie Harris Puremovement. BPAM/HKPAX
For over 30 years, Del Sol Quartet founder and violist Charlton Lee has brought colorful curiosity, infectious groove, and bold artistic vision to the stage. Under his artistic direction, the ensemble has become a boundary-pushing force in contemporary chamber music, championing living composers through culturally resonant programming and innovative multimedia collaborations. HKPAX
Achinta Sawhny McDaniel is a powerful voice of the Indian diaspora and the Founding Artistic Director of Blue13 Dance Company. She also works in film and TV and is a professor at USC Kaufman in Los Angeles. McDaniel’s work is rhythmic and provocative, negotiating the boundaries of contemporary dance as a South Asian American woman. She dismantles notions of contemporary dance through her signature first generation style, which draws from Bhangra, Kathak, Bollywood, Hip Hop, Ballet and Jazz. BPAM/HKPAX
Rob Robbins launched Alliance Artist Management in 2006 after 20+ years in artist management with a mission to develop and promote ensembles that possess a mastery of the traditional repertoire, while bringing innovation to the form. AAM seeks a pragmatic and productive alignment of artistic expression and vision with commercial needs to achieve success with a dedication to enhancing the human experience. The Roster of 20 includes Jordi Savall, Sō Percussion, Tallis Scholars, Cirque Mechanics. BPAM
With a skill for cultivating exceptional talent, Margaret Selby manages the careers of leading choreographers, dance companies and theatrical events, supporting performance and touring around the world. Drawing upon her lifelong passion for dance, theater, music and film, in-depth working knowledge of creative development and performance, Selby has a keen eye on today's performance landscape and the care needed to thrive during challenging times. HKPAX
Bill Smith has always had a deep interest in international affairs which he studied at George Washington University. Following those studies, military service, and 10 years as an airline manager, he created the world music agency, Eye for Talent, dba Riot Artists, now representing DakhaBrakha, Ana Everling, Maryna Krut, Puuluup, Dakh Daughters,The Manganiyar Seduction, and others touring them in China, Malaysia, North & South America, UK, Australia & New Zealand. HKPAX
Ichun Yeh is a creative executive, producer, and artist manager with over a decade of experience leading international arts and innovation initiatives. She builds strategic partnerships, discovers and cultivates exceptional talent, and brings ambitious projects from concept to execution. Working at the intersection of art, technology, and social impact, she has led global collaborations and executive produced The Dream Machine Experience, Lincoln Center's first mixed reality experience. BPAM/HKPAX
Presenters
Molly Clark is Director of Cal Poly Arts at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo, where she leads a vibrant performing arts program that connects artists, students, and the broader community. A mission-driven arts administrator and curator, she brings more than 19 years of experience in arts and higher education, including nine years as Artistic Director of ArtPower at UC San Diego. Her work centers on expanding access to the arts and creating meaningful opportunities for dialogue, discovery, and participation through performances, residencies, workshops, and community engagement. Clark holds a master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management and was an Association of Performing Arts Professionals Leadership Fellow. BPAM
Rafael González is a cultural and civic leader whose life and work are rooted in the transformative power of the arts. As President and CEO of Grand Performances, Rafael leads one of Los Angeles’ most beloved cultural institutions; a public space where Angelenos gather to celebrate its diversity, express its humanity, and imagine its future. Grand Performances is a space where people can dance, sing, heal, and be seen; an act of civic courage and a declaration that culture is a shared public good. His work blends community wisdom, narrative change, and cross-sector partnership, positioning the arts as essential civic infrastructure that strengthens democracy. Rafael brings deep listening and integrity to every collaboration. Over more than 30 years across nonprofit, philanthropic, government, and cultural sectors, he has mobilized communities and advanced equity with the arts at the center of civic life. HKPAX
Terri Trotter’s career in leading performing arts centers and museums spans the country. She now serves as the CEO of the Henry J Kaiser Center for the Arts, a newly renovated historic venue in downtown Oakland that originally opened in 1915. Terri served as the CEO of the Midland Center for the Arts from 2015-2022, one of Michigan’s largest nonprofit cultural centers, and as the CEO of the Sun Valley Center for the Arts, Idaho’s largest arts nonprofit. She began her arts career in Fayetteville, Arkansas, growing the newly opened Walton Arts Center through various executive level roles, including overseeing the opening of a 10,000+ seat amphitheater, the Walmart Amp. BPAM
WAA Team
Before becoming Western Arts Alliance’s Executive Director, Joshua Heim served as Deputy Director at 4Culture, leading the COVID-19 response distributing federal disaster relief to Washington state cultural organizations and workers, served as an advisor to the Puget Sound Regional Council Arts and Culture Recovery Strategy, and oversaw funding programs. Before that, he led local arts agencies at the Cities of Bellevue and Redmond (WA) where he cultivated a passion and expertise in cultural planning, creative placemaking, and the creative economy. His art in public spaces program in Redmond was recognized nationally for urban trail revitalization by American Trails. BPAM
After a decade (2000-2010) in Beijing as performer, promoter, and more, Jonathan Campbell returned to Toronto, Canada, working across the arts landscape. He’s worked at and with Harbourfront Centre, Massey Hall/Roy Thomson Hall, Aga Khan Museum, Folk Alliance International, Folk Canada, Humber Polytechnic, and more. At Small World Music (2019-2024) he led programs supporting and showcasing equity-deserving populations at home and around the world. His writing has appeared in international media and in his 2012 book about Chinese rock music. BPAM/HKPAX