Dance school waltzes into platinum year

Chen has been appointed the honorary president of the Beijing Dance Academy's School of Creative Studies in 2023 and, as he says, "it's coming full circle".

"I was trained by the Beijing Dance Academy and I always feel grateful to my teachers here, who not only taught me dance and choreography, but also to be passionate and creative," says Chen. "During the past year, I worked with my team on this gala. We have a deep love for the academy and share a commitment to the art of dance. This dedication, combined with the creative energy of the entire team, brought me back to my years studying at the academy."

The Beijing Dance School was the predecessor of the Beijing Dance Academy, which first opened on Sept 6, 1954. It was the country's first institute of dance. Dai Ailian (1916-2006), also known as Ailien Tai, then 38, an overseas Chinese ballerina, was appointed the first president of the institute. In the past 70 years, the Beijing Dance Academy has trained an astonishing array of accomplished dancers, choreographers and educators.

According to Xu Rui, president of the Beijing Dance Academy, the 70th anniversary gala is more than just a celebration of the academy's past; it is a showcase of its enduring legacy and bright future. The performance will unite generations of the academy's alumni and current students, demonstrating the profound impact the academy has had on the dance world. Star dancers will perform in the gala, including Huang Doudou, Meng Qingyang, Hua Xiaoyi and Yin Shuo.

In the ballet session, excerpts from classic pieces, including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Don Quixote, will be performed. Classical Chinese dance inspired by movements of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) and Tang Dynasty (618-907) will also be featured in the gala. One of the highlights will see students of the musical department of the academy performing the song Mother, led by Ayanga, a popular musical actor in China.