The history and spirit of a culture is reflected in its performing arts. If this is true, then the richness, depth, and diversity of the Chinese culture is certainly embodied in its classical folk dance. Many outside of China are not aware, but there are 56 officially recognized ethnic groups in China. Each ethnic minority group in China possesses and practices its own unique form of “folk” dance that reflect its unique history, culture, and values. Though each group is uniquely different, together they form the collective spirit of the Chinese people, past, present, and future. Pan America Chinese Dance Alliance (PACDA) was founded to create opportunities for effective and substantive cross-cultural exchanges in the performing arts between Chinese dancers and teachers in the U.S. and dance professionals in China.
PACDA founder, professor Pan Zhitao, a nationally recognized authority, expert, and historian of Chinese folk dances, has spent nearly his entire life dedicated to the teaching and exploration of this art form. By forming this alliance of dance instructors, professor Pan hopes to rally and unite all practitioners of classical Chinese folk dance, whether they are students or teachers, by offering resources and support to help them enhance their performance, strengthen their technique, and connecting their dance to the full richness of the Chinese culture.
Our Mission
PACDA’s mission is to promote Chinese dance education and creation in order to help Chinese diaspora connect to heritage through dance, to help younger generations develop cultural confidence and cultural identity, and to provide a platform for dancers of all levels of experience. In today’s globalized world, PACDA aims to enrich cultural life and to create opportunities for effective and substantive cross-cultural exchanges in Chinese dance styles among dancers, teachers, and professionals around the world.
FOUNDER
Zhitao Pan
Renowned dance educator, theorist, and one of the key contributors who institutionalized Chinese folk dance.
Professor Pan spent most of his professional career as a dance instructor and administrator at the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy (BDA) where he founded the Chinese Folk Dance department and served as its dean for over 20 years. He also serves as faculty advisor in the master’s and doctoral programs at BDA. He was the principal director of the pre-opening performance at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, as well as the dance director for China’s 60th Anniversary Grand Musical. He also founded the “Tao-Li Cup” national competition for Chinese dance.
Associate Director of Academic Council of Beijing Dance Academy, Professor, Advisor of postgraduate students
Founder of Beijing Dance Academy’s Chinese Folk Dance Department
Vice Chair of Dance Education, China Education Association Professional Education Committee
Founder of “Tao-Li Cup” National Dance Competition, panelist
CCTV Dance Competition special guest commentator
Director of 2008 Olympics Games Opening Ceremony’s pre-show performance
Director of Dance Department, China’s 60th Anniversary Grand Musical, “Road to Revival”.
Recipient of State Council’s Special Allowance
Editor of Chinese Folk Dance Grade Test
Director of Chinese Folk Dance Grade Test Committee
Wenqi Xu
Xu Wenqi
Renowned Chinese Folk Dance Instructor of Beijing Dance Academy
Ms. Xu graduated from Beijing Dance School (Presently Beijing Dance Academy), where she taught for more than 30 years after graduation. She’s known for producing award winning dancers who fore from competitions such as “Tao-Li Cup”, China National Dance Competition, and CCTV Dance Competition.
Our Team
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Cheer Pan
Born in Beijing, China, Cheer Pan started her performing career at an early age of 3 as the announcer for the Lantian Children’s Performance Group. A year later, she began her formal lessons in dance, and soon thereafter she began to display her dancing talents across the stage. Growing up, Cheer had numerous experiences performing in national theaters for high profile audiences. At age 8, she auditioned for, and became a member of, a nationally televised performing youth group, the Yinghe Youth Performing Group, where she had the opportunity to perform in front of a nationwide audience.
After moving to the United States, she continued to express her love and passion for the performing arts through various on stage dance performances with her dance troupe “Dance with Cheer”. She also began teaching young children about both the art form of dance and the history of Chinese folk dance. In addition to performing and teaching, she also choreographs routines for various dance competitions.
In 2014, Cheer co-founded Pan America Chinese Dance Alliance (PACDA) to create opportunities for effective and substantive cross-cultural exchanges in the performing arts between Chinese dancers and teachers in the U.S. and dance professionals in China. PACDA has successfully hosted 2 seasons of the Taoli World Dance Competition (formerly known as the Overseas Taoli Cup dance competition). With 6 regional cities and over 2000 contestants in both regional and finals competitions, and the most respected judges panel, this competition is the biggest dance competition outside of China with a focus in Chinese dance.
President of the Board
Chen, Jin (President of the Board 2022-2024)
Mrs. Chen Jin, graduated from Beijing Dance Academy, specializing in Chinese folk dance and classical ballet. She has more than 30 years of experience in dance performance and teaching. Mrs. Chen’s students have won platinum awards in Chinese folk dance, ballet across the board. Mrs. Chen is also the examiner of the Chinese folk dance teacher training grade test and the examiner of the students’ examination.
Hu, Erdong (President of the Board 2025-2027)
Professor Hu received his B.A. in Dance from Beijing Dance Academy’s conservatory program. He performed in Chinese traditional and folk dance forms and was the recipient of many awards at major Chinese dance competitions. He was honored a faculty position and taught Chinese traditional dance at Beijing Dance Academy for eight years. In 1985, he received an Outstanding Instructor Award for instructing student competitors in the Chinese National Dance Competition – “Taoli Cup”, given by the Chinese Dance Artists Association.
In 1986, he attended graduate school at the University of Iowa Dance Department, and his performance was aired on Iowa Public Television (PBS). In 1990 He also received the Outstanding Performer Achievement Award from Dance Magazine. After receiving his M.F.A. from the University of Iowa, Er-Dong joined Dayton Ballet and performed as a Principal Dancer for four years.
Mr, Hu joined Theater and Dance Department at Bucknell University as an assistant professor in 1994. Between 2001 and 2011, he worked as a Director of Dance. In 2013, he received Bucknell University’s “The Class of 1956 Lectureship” Award for his inspirational teaching. In the same year, he was promoted to a full professor position. In 2014, he was nominated the best professor of the US.
Professor Hu has taught nationally and internationally. He has set dance pieces at many institutions including Texas Christian University, University of Cincinnati, University of Georgia, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Mount Holyoke College, and the Chinese Arts High School in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. He has worked as a judge of an American youth talent show on television in NYC.
Rotating Supervisor of the Board
Wang, Xinyue (Rotating Supervisor 2022-2024)
Ms. Shin Yue Wang, Founder and Artistic Director of Shin Dance Academy and Shin Dance Company. She graduated from
the prestigious Minzu University of China with a degree in Chinese Ethnic Dance and Dance Education, and continued at the University by becoming a lecturer and instructor before residing in Los Angeles in 1994. An award-winning artist with over 40 years of stage performance and dance instruction experience, Ms. Wang has represented China as a performing ambassador to many countries and was hailed by critics as “one of the best performing artists”. Her talents in dance, music, arts and literature combined with her unique personal perspectives and interests create unforgettable dance pieces that are expressively rich and beautiful in thought, emotion, culture and creativity. Her numerous awards include Best Performer, Best Performance and Best Instructor in the nationally acclaimed “Taoli Cup” Competition in China.
Wang, Tong (Rotating Supervisor 2025-2027)
Tong Wang graduated with honors from the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy in 1986. He performed as a principal dancer with companies such as Shanghai Ballet, Tulsa Ballet Theatre, Dayton Ballet, Colorado Ballet, and, most recently, Ballet West. While dancing professionally, Tong completed his B.F.A. and M.F.A. degrees in Ballet Teaching and Choreography with the University of Utah Ballet Department and also worked as a guest faculty member. Following a successful career as a principal artist, Tong Wang has continued to devote his talents to the field of dance as a choreographer, dance professor, and master teacher. Internationally, he continues to choreograph new works, teach master classes, and stage his work in various dance schools and companies, including Beijing Dance Academy, Zhejiang Professional Arts Academy, Nanjing University of the Arts, Shanghai Normal University, Tianjin University, and Fudan University. Currently Tong is an associate professor at the distinguished Dance Department of University of California, Irvine.
Executive team
Christy Yip
Christy Yip is a certified teacher of Chinese Folk Dance Graded Test 1st-12th . Miss Christy’s passion for dance started at the young age of five in Hong Kong. Christy’s passion for dance continued as she immigrated to the United States at the age of 16. She earned a Bachelor’s degree at the University of California Irvine with a major in Economics and a minor in Dance. Christy was one of the awarded dancers in the Taoli World Dance Competition. She is now the committee member of Pan America Chinese Dance Alliance (PACDA) and dancers of Chinese Dance Company of Southern California (CDCSC). Christy committed to promoting Chinese dance and Chinese culture, her goal is to bring awareness and cultivate the next generation to continue to love dance and love life!
Lin, Wenxi
Wenxi is a master of ceremonies of the Taoli World Dance Competition. She is also a writer and editor at PACDA’s social media team. Wenxi received the degree of Master of International Affairs, Technology, Media and Communications specialization at the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. She also participated in an exchange program at the Chinese University of Hong Kong to study media. Wenxi is a master of ceremonies who hosts numerous live events and shows. Wenxi is passionate about sharing Chinese culture and performing arts. She has been a board member of the Pan America Chinese Dance Alliance since 2017. She got the Chinese Ethnic Folk Dance Graded Examination Teaching Certificate Level 1-Level 12.
Board of Directors
Yu Jun (Director since 2017)
Photographer, PACDA and Taoli World website designer & manager, graphic designer. He graduated from Purdue University with a MS degree in Computer Graphics Technology and is often involved in various publicity and design work. In 2017, he participated in the PACDA team. Jun is the only member on the board who is not a dancer or related to a dancer. However, his enthusiasm of Chinese culture and aesthetic appreciation are fully reflected in his artwork.
Feng, Xuejuan (Director since 2019)
She is a member of the International Dance Council, the Chinese Dance Association. In 2019, She became the board member of the Pan American Dance Alliance and the associate director of the Taoli World Dance Competition in Washington D.C. She holds a B.A. from the Beijing Dance Academy and an M.F.A. from the University of Maryland. She also as the director of Xuejuan Dance Ensemble, and has performed widely in the Washington DC area, such as participating in the Kennedy Center’s National Dance Day Festival, presenting a full Chinese dance concert on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, and leading the Chinese dance workshop at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
Huang, Qingfeng (Director since 2019)
Dr. Qingfeng has more than ten years of experience in performance and competition management. He is also the designer and developer of the online registration management and scoring system used by the International Taoli World. He became the board member of the Pan American Dance Alliance since 2019
Zhou, Na (Director since 2019)
Graduated at Dance major of the Minzu University of China and received a master’s degree in dance from New York University, currently a member of the National Dance Education Organization, and board member of the Pan American Dance Alliance since 2019. She has been invited to teach in many schools such as Harvard and New York University, participate in the United Nations dance culture activities for many times. Founded Bright Pearl Dance in 2009, the school has been adhering to systematic teaching for many years and actively promoting cultural exchanges between Chinese and western dance.
Shi, Ying (Director since 2019)
Ying Shi has been the lecturer of Beijing Dance Academy, distinguished lecturer of Tsinghua University dance troupe, choreographer and director of the Asian Games opening ceremony, artistic director of Star Arts Center Shi Ying Dance School, and board member of the Pan American Dance Alliance since 2019. She was once awarded one of the “top ten teachers in China”, one of the choreographers of the “heart to heart” art troupe, the first prize of the choreographer of the “world youth dance competition” in Germany, the special award of the judges of the professional group of the 2017-2018 international Taoli World, and the award of the original choreographer of the 2017-2018 international Taoli World.
Xu, Binbin（Director since 2019）
Member of Beijing Dancer Association, head of Deputy Secretary-General of China Children’s Song and Dance Association, leader of Beijing, extracurricular dance program, and President of Canada Binjiya Arts Centre Inc. In the year of 2018, Canada Binjiya Arts Centre cooperated with PACDA, as the first time having Taoli World Dance Competition in Vancouver, Canada. She became the board member of the Pan American Dance Alliance in 2019.
Zhang, Mei (Director since 2019)
With a professional background, Mei has accumulated over 20 years of dance training, performing, teaching, as well as choreography experience. She participated in the first overseas folk-dance teacher class in 2017 and became the board member of the Pan American Dance Alliance since 2019. She often leads students and dance troupe members to participate in dance performances of various community groups in Toronto and as technical guidance and choreography. She has performed in many well-known commercial and charity dance groups. Especially good at Chinese folk dance, Chinese classical dance, ballet, jazz dance, and modern dance.
Li, Yanan (Director since 2021)
Yanan Li is the Founder, Dance Director and Choreographer of Hongyun Dance School in Hacienda Heights, California. Mrs. Yanan Li received her Bachelor’s degree in Dance Education and Pedagogy and teaching credential from Minzu University of China College of Dance, the number one Chinese Dance College in China. Mrs. Li started studying dance at age 5 and throughout the years have competed in international level competitions, winning top levels. Also for many years, Mrs. Li was invited and selected to perform at CCTV’s New Year Gala, the biggest national celebration in China with billions of viewers. Mrs. Li has 10 years of experience teaching young children and youth. She began her dance teaching career in 2010 at Beijing Haiyin Art School. From 2012 to 2015, Mrs. Li taught at various dance schools in New York and in 2016 founded Hongyun Dance School in California. In 2017-2018, Mrs. Li led her students to participate in Taoli World Dance Competition and received Outstanding Instructor Award and Outstanding Choreography Award
Han, Xue (Director since 2021)
Xue Han, at the age of 12, started professional Chinese dance training at the Affiliated Secondary School of Beijing Dance Academy, and graduated from Beijing Dance Academy as an “Outstanding Graduate” in 2008 and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Chinese Folk Dance Performance. During her time in BDA, she participated in the 8th TaoLi Cup Dance Competition and won the second prize for the performance with the work of “Red Coral”. She has represented the school on many occasions in Hong Kong, Canada and other places to participate in large gala and dance festival performance tasks. After graduation, she joined the China National Ethnic Song and Dance Ensemble to work as a major dancer, and joined the members of the Chinese Dancers Association. She performed many times in the “Cultures of China, Festival of Spring” co-host performance organized by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, and visited the United States, Europe and many other places. During her time at the ensemble, she also participated in many dance performances of major cultural festivals and evening galas in China, such as the 2008 Olympic Games Cultural Festival. Recently, she devoted herself to the promotion of Chinese dance culture overseas, and won the highest award in the 2018 Taoli World Dance Competition Chicago Division for her individual performance. Soon after that she joined the Pan America Chinese Dance Alliance and has been working as the Resident Instructor for the Chinese Dance Company of Southern California.
Han, Li (Director since 2022)
Lily Han, teacher of Chinese folk dance grades 1-12, Latin dance teacher of the China Ballroom Dancing Federation. She is the founder of Jasmine Flower Dance in Denver, Colorado. She has been engaged in Chinese dance teaching for more than 20 years and has served as a judge for municipal youth dance competitions. Her studio won 2020-2021 International Taoli Cup Dance Competition Judge’s Choice, Elite Platinum Award, Taoli Spirit Award, Outstanding Choreography Award, Teaching Excellence Award, Highest Score in each group/level, etc. Her studio’s program has been reported by mainstream media such as China CCTV4, Denver Post, 9News, Denver CBS4, etc. Her studio has been invited by NBA to do halftime performances for many times. Lily Han devoted herself to the promotion of overseas Chinese dance and Chinese culture, made outstanding contributions. In 2022, she became the board member of PACDA.
Zheng, Juan (Director since 2023)
Graduated from Secondary School of Beijing Dance Academy and Beijing Dance Academy (BA), Major in Chinese classic dance.Folkwang University der Kuenst (MA) in Germany.Founder of J.Z Dance Studio .
During school，Participated in the demonstration work of Chinese classical dance body rhyme female class teaching materials. Participated as the main actor in the large-scale national dance drama “Fish Beauty”, “Jing Du Yi Ren” and the national dance drama series “Yanhuang Festival”. Received the “April Spring” International Dance Arts Festival Gold Award.
Served as a teacher at the Secondary School of Beijing Dance Academy and taught Chinese classical dance for many years. Have teacher certification and rich of children youth and adult dance teaching experience. Instructed students to participate in the “Tao Li Cup” national dance competition and win the award in China.
Participated in the performance of Zhang Yimou’s musical “Turandot” in the Tai Temple and Italy.
Participated in organizing the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Beijing Dance Academy.
Participated in the recording of the fan teaching material of the Chinese Classical Dance of Beijing Dance Academy.
Led students to visit the United States in Seattle, San Francisco and other places for artistic exchanges.
After coming to the United States, committed to promoting and teaching Chinese classical dance and Chinese folk dance. Invited to teach a master class of Chinese dance at Detroit Ballet and a master class of Chinese dance at Detroit Dance City Festival. In 2018, began to lead students to participate in the Taoli World Dance Competition and won several top awards. Since 2022, served as the preliminary rating judge of the Taoli World Dance Competition
Participated in many charity performances and performance activities in Chinese communities in Germany and America.
Advisory Board
Lisa Naugle
Lisa Naugle, Ph.D. is a Professor of Dance in the Dance Department of the School of the Arts at the University of California, Irvine. She is the recipient of the Cecil and Ida Green Honors Professor’s Award, 2000. She holds a Ph.D and MFA in dance from New York University. Lisa was a member of the Nancy Hauser Dance Company and has performed with several dance companies in the United States and Canada. Her background as a dancer includes work with Hanya Holm, Alwin Nikolais, Merce Cunningham, and Eric Hawkins.
Kristin Hakala
Kristin Hakala received her formative training in Michigan with Cornelia Sampson, along with studies at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and San Francisco Ballet School. She began her professional career at the age of sixteen with the Nashville Ballet, where she performed many leading roles. Most recently, Kristin was a principal dancer with Ballet West, where she performed the title roles in numerous ballets as well as a full range of contemporary, classical, and neoclassical works. She has performed internationally in China and Europe, including appearances in the 2004 Edinburgh International Festival. She appeared as “Sugar Plum Fairy” in a nationally televised broadcast on PBS and performed in the Winter Olympics with Ballet West in 2002. Kristin is also a certified yoga teacher, a practice she finds particularly complementary to the demands of ballet training. She has taught for institutions such as Ballet West and Ballet West Academy, University of California-Irvine, and Michigan Ballet Theatre, in addition to teaching international master classes. Most recently, she taught at the world renowned Beijing Dance Academy, where she has been invited to return as a Guest Professor in 2016. From 2005-2007, she served as an adjunct professor at Wright State University and was a faculty member of Pontecorvo Ballet School. From 2008-2011, she served on the faculty of the Indianapolis School of Ballet and the Central Indiana Academy of Dance. Currently, Kristin is a faculty member at the Maple Conservatory of Dance in Irvine, California.
Li, Hengda
Li Hengda, founder of the American Asian Performing Arts Theatre and Hengda Dance Academy, is officially recognized in China as a “National Premier Dancer.” He graduated from Shenyang Dance Academy, majoring in Vaganova Ballet Method, and Beijing Dance Academy’s Department of Chinese Classical Dance Performances. Mr. Li has won many championships in China, including First Place in the Men’s Division at the 1st TaoLi Cup Competition in 1985 and First Place at the 2nd Annual National Dance Competition in 1986. After arriving in the United States in 1990, Mr. Li was a Soloist at the Pacific Northwest Ballet for six years. Since then, he has devoted his time to the development of the non-profit organization, AAPAT, to achieve his goals of promoting Chinese arts and culture in the U.S., as well as to Hengda Dance Academy. Mr. Li received a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Washington, 2006. In 2011, he was an Artist Trust Fellowship for Performing Arts recipient for all his achievements and hard work. His recent projects include choreographing for productions in Las Vegas and China, as well as adjudicating at multiple competitions in China and the United States.
Lv, Yisheng
Lv, Yisheng: The executive director of the Committee of Academic Affairs of Beijing Dance Academy, Doctoral Advisor on Dance Study at the Peking University, Beijing Dance Academy, Life-Achievement Award winner in Chinese Dance, Mr Lv was the chancellor of the Beijing Dance Academy in 1990’s , and has been on the position of the Deputy Chairman of the Chinese Dancers Association. Mr. Lv is active in the educational fields of Chinese Musicals, Ballroom Dance and Modern Dance Pedagogy. Mr. Lv has created numerous large-scale event ceremonies and live-shows. He has published more than 15 educational textbooks, including the “Introduction to Dance Study” “Dance Aesthetics” and “Dance Pedagogy”.
Xiao, Suhua
Professor Xiao, Suhua is a nationally renowned choreographer, educator, and theorist. He’s a professor at Beijing Dance Academy, also on the duty as academic advisor for Master’s students. He’s the Vice President of the Board for Chinese Ballet Association, who’s been invited as a judge for more than forty international Ballet and Modern dance competitions around the world, and for more than twenty national dance competitions. His publications in choreography and teaching method has contributed to many internationally awarded choreography. Because of his contribution to the dance world, he has been awarded educational awards both from the China Education Ministry and the Beijing City government.
Feng, Ying
Feng Ying, is a renowned ballerina and ballet mistress in China, currently the director and artistic director of the National Ballet of China. She graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy and joined the National Ballet of China in 1980. In 1982, she was sent to the Opera National de Paris and studied with Ballet Masters like Maurice Bejart, Rossela Hightower and others. As a Prima Ballerina, she had danced the whole repertoire staged by NBC then, including Swan Lake, Giselle, Don Quixote,etc. Since 1997, she began a career as a teacher, répétiteur and choreographer. Collaborated with great choreographers like Ben Stevenson and Roland Petit, etc, she staged for the company Bourneville’s La Sylphide and Stevenson’s Fountain of Tears, etc. As the artistic director, she produced for the company Bejart’s Fire Bird, Neumeier’s The Little Mermaid, etc. Meanwhile, she also oversaw the restaging of Chinese New Year (Nutcracker, Chinese version), Le Sacre du Printemps,etc.
Wang, Mei
Wang, Mei: Renowned professor, and choreographer of the Beijing Dance Academy. Recipient of “Young Core Instructor” from the City of Beijing. Recipient of “Mr. Hu Chunan Teaching Grant” from the Beijing Dance Academy. Wang begins her dance career with ballet, then transitioned into Chinese folk dance and graduated from the Chinese Folk Dance program of the Beijing Dance Academy. She later studied Modern dance, and received the Modern Dance Diploma from the American Dance Festival. Wang has been a professor and dance director for the Modern Dance program since 1990.
Magnum Opus:
“Net”, “Naughty Kids”, “Dawn”, “Spring”, “The Phoenix Hairpin in My Heart”, “Tides”, “That Night”, “Legend on the Chair”, “Two Bodies”, “The Red Fan”, “Linger”, “Time Passes like Flowing Water”, “Dance as Your Heart Pleases”, “Finding the World Once Lost”
Major Events:
Opening Ceremony of the 7th National Games: 4th and 5th program, “Tides”, “Rhythm of Youth”; Opening Ceremony of the World Conference on Women NGO; Opening Ceremony of The Return of Hong Kong “In Full Bloom”, “Montage – 1999”, “We See the River Bank”, “Maybe We Will Fly”, “Gone with the Wind”, “Thunder and Rain.”
Xu, Zhigang
Xu, Zhigang：Mr. Xu has been a primary Chinese Classical Dance educator at Beijing Dance Academy Affiliated High School since he graduated from the same school in 1976. In the high school, he has taken on the roles as deputy headmaster, executive chairman among others. He was an editor of the China Performing Arts Pedagogy Collectives on the dance section, and was a principle demonstrator for the Chinese Classical Dance section. He was on the judging committee for the most prestigious China Tao-Li Cup Dance Competition for the 6th, 7th, 8th and the 9th events. Mr. Xu has won numerous awards including the “Outstanding Educator of Performing Arts at the 30th Anniversary of China’s Opening and Reforming”
Xing, Duoli
Xing, Duoli：Mr.Xing graduated from the first class of Chinese Folk Dance Education from the Beijing Dance Academy. He then studied at the Brigham Young University as a visiting scholar in dance. He has been a guest artist to Beijing Dance Academy, the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, China Northeastern Normal University. He is currently the artistic director of the Guangzhou University School of the Music & Dance, Vice Chairman of the Guangzhou Dancers Association, Deputy Director of the Guangzhou Education Bureau’s Arts Committee, Chairman of the Beijing Dance Academy Alumni Association Guangdong Province Chapter, Chairman of the Guangdong Province Sports Dance Association.
Yu, Xiaoxue
Yu, Xiaoxue：Mr. Yu is a National First Class Artist, many of his work were awarded as “Classical Artist Performances for 20th Century”. He’s the Dean of Beijing Dance Academy Chinese Folk Dance Department Performing Arts Major, the Executive Director of Chinese Folk Dance Grade Test Center. He was the first place winner for the Original Taoli Cup two times in a row, and first place winner for the National Dance Competition. He’s a recipient of the Chinese Artists Association’s “Cross Century Artist” honorary title.
Zhang, Qi
Qi Zhang is a dancer, choreographer, creator, producer, and educator. Qi received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance and Education from the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy in China, studying both classical Chinese and modern dance. Upon graduation she was chosen as principal dancer for the Beijing Youth Dance Troupe. She has received many awards, including the “Culture Award” for Best Performance by the Chinese National Government and the Chinese Minister of Culture, the highest award presented to a professional artist in China. After earning her Masters of Fine Arts degrees in Dance, Choreography, and Production from the California Institutes of the Arts (CalArts) in 2002, Qi has taught numerous master classes, workshops, and lectures in the US and abroad, including leading summer sessions at CalArts as a Chinese Dance Guest Consultant.
Yang, Ying
Yang, Ying：Yang is recognized as a “National Premier Performer” in China. 1996, she graduated with a BA in Literature with high honors from the Beijing Dance Academy, which is considered the “dancer cradle” by the international art community. Yang has systematically studied Chinese Folk Dance, Chinese Classical Dance, Dance Pedagogy, and Dance Performance. She is also experienced in theater arts. Yang has been winning competitions on the national scale since 1991, including: first place in the 4 th Beijing Dance Competition, first place in the 4 th Taoli Cup, top ten performance in Taoli Cup. She has also competed in international dance competition for China, as well as participated in cultural exchange programs, such as: featured dancer in the 1 st East Asian Games Opening Ceremony, featured dancer in the 7 th China’s National Games. Yang has performed in the USA, Germany, France, Japan, Canada, the Philippines, and Singapore, where she received high praises from local media. She has received the title of “The Cross-Generation Young Dancer” from the Chinese Dancers Association for her extraordinary achievements in the art of dance. There are only 20 recipients of this title in all of China. To further her study, Yang has obtained a master’s degree in dance from the Arizona State University.