The life's work of the late Nai-Ni Chen, the prominent New Jersey choreographer, will be celebrated this weekend in Newark.

The event promises to be an emotional one. Chen died in December while swimming in Hawaii. The New Jersey dance company that carries her name continues under the leadership of Chen's husband, Andy Chiang.

"It's been several months, and I hope with the time I will feel more and more joyful," he told News 12.

Chen, a Taiwanese immigrant, bridged traditional Chinese dance and western contemporary dance, training generations of performers – including Evan Matthew Stewart, the company’s principal dancer. He said that Chen would constantly make changes to a dance until the choreography was perfect.

Her work may have been ever evolving, but Chen was steadfast in lifting up Asian culture and artistic expression, which drew longtime collaborators, like the Ahn Trio, to her.

"We share many experiences together as Asian American artists and as woman artists, we both love to not be bound by tradition but at times we love the classics," said Maria Ahn. 

The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company will perform Saturday at New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.