International alumna brings bold vision to Spring Gala: A full circle moment for an MBA student turned community leader and corporate professional
Hosted by Western Michigan University’s Asian Initiatives, this year’s Spring Gala promises a vibrant showcase of Asian artistry, cultural traditions and community spirit. The event is Sunday, April 12 at Miller Auditorium.
Kalamazoo, Mich. — When Karin Li arrived in Kalamazoo to pursue her MBA in finance at Western Michigan University, she never imagined she would one day become the artistic mind behind one of the community’s largest cultural showcases.
Sixteen years later, the WMU alumna—now a corporate tax professional by day and longtime dancer and choreographer by night—has stepped into the role of Artistic Director for the 2026 Spring Gala, bringing with her a lifetime of artistic training and a vision shaped by cultures, continents and creativity.
“I’ve always had two hats,” Li says with a laugh. “People at work don’t know I dance, and my students don’t know I work in corporate tax. It’s like two different Karins depending on which world you see first.”
A global path that led to Kalamazoo
Li’s story begins in China, where she started professional dance training at just six years old. Her talent eventually earned her a college scholarship that paired rigorous dance training with a university education in any major of choice. Yet Li’s ambitions reached further.
While studying abroad in Ohio, she met someone whose father was a WMU professor. That connection—and her father’s detailed analysis of geography and Great Lakes weather patterns—pointed her toward a move to Michigan. She enrolled in Western’s MBA program and graduated in 2010.
“Kalamazoo became my second hometown,” she says. “I never left. I watched campus change, grow and evolve. Western is a part of me.”
While earning her degree, Li worked in the same WMU building where Spring Gala planning takes place today. She supported international student orientation and remembers greeting students from around the globe—an experience that shaped her passion for cultural exchange.
“That immersion in different cultures, even then, helped me understand how meaningful this kind of work can be,” she says.
A dual career: Finance by weekday, artistry by weekend
After graduation, Li joined Stryker and later Paragon, where she now manages corporate tax and transfer pricing. But dance stayed with her.
She connected with the local Chinese dance community and joined Dr. Ying Zeng’s cultural education program as a dance instructor—work that eventually introduced her to the Spring Gala.
Li’s students and fellow parents often express surprise when they learn how deep her artistic experience runs. And her colleagues are just as surprised to learn she choreographs large‑scale, narrative performance pieces.
“For a long time, neither side knew about the other,” she jokes. “But both parts are who I am.”
Li has contributed performances to the Spring Gala for several years, but this year marks her first as artistic director—an opportunity she calls “a dream I didn’t know I’d get to fulfill.”
Spring Gala 2026, held once again at Miller Auditorium, gives Li the platform to merge performance, technology and storytelling in new ways for Kalamazoo audiences.
“What motivated me was the scale,” she says. “Miller Auditorium is the same kind of stage you would see on Broadway. I thought, how can we not take full advantage of that?”
She approached the role with a bold vision: to elevate Spring Gala from a cultural showcase to a fully immersive experience—one where audiences remember the story and emotion long after the music ends.
Blending artistry, technology and cultural storytelling
This year’s Gala will feature pieces that fuse traditional choreography with cutting‑edge visual effects. From holographic backdrops to cinematic lighting, Li aims to create a multisensory experience.
One example is the Chinese yo‑yo performance, which will be enhanced with holographic effects creating sparks and rings of light that move with the performer.
“It’s like the Van Gogh immersive experience,” Li explains. “We’re using technology not as decoration, but to bring the audience into the story.”
Another highlight: a dance inspired by the iconic blue‑and‑white Chinese porcelain. Through movement, costuming and digital stagecraft, performers will bring the centuries‑old art form to life.
“It’s no longer just a dance piece,” Li says. “It’s a cultural picture that becomes alive on stage.”
Her own son, a 12‑year‑old cellist and competitive swimmer, will also take the stage—something Li admits has made the process even more meaningful for her.
Building connection, not just performance
For Li, Spring Gala’s purpose goes beyond entertainment.
“This event connects people without needing words,” she says. “Music and dance are universal. Audience members may come from different backgrounds, but they experience the story together. That kind of connection—that feeling—is what they carry home.”
She hopes the Spring Gala inspires others to find their own ways of giving back.
“You don’t have to contribute only money to your community,” she says. “Your talent—whatever it is—matters. Never underestimate what you have to offer.”
As she looks toward opening night, Li is most excited about what the Spring Gala represents for WMU and Kalamazoo on Aril 12, 6 p.m., at Miller Auditorium. Tickets can be purchased through Miller Auditorium.
“It’s an honor to create something this unique for our community,” she says. “I want people to walk away feeling the beauty, the love and the cultural stories we’ve shared with them. That’s the real impact.”
About the Haenicke Institute for Global Education
The Diether H. Haenicke Institute for Global Education, established in 1998, fosters an environment that supports the global engagement of the Western community. Its offices assist nearly 2,000 international students and alumni at home and abroad with admissions, immigration, student success and post-graduation job training.
The institute also facilitates short- and long-term study abroad programs for students, faculty and staff. It hosts a variety of global learning activities, such as designing and promoting scholarship and academic opportunities on campus; providing K-12 outreach; hosting lectures, panels and events; and showcasing arts, entertainment and culture from around the world. Learn more about the Haenicke Institute for Global Education.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.