Wang Xuejun (dancer)
Wang Xuejun is an Australian ballet dancer of Chinese descent, as well as a performer of Chinese classical and folk dance. He trained at the Beijing Dance Academy, and has performed as a principal dancer with Australia Sydney Dance Company. More recently he has been a principal dancer and choreographer for the New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts.[1]
Biography
Wang was born in Beijing, China, in 1963. He was singled out at a young age to train at the Beijing Dance Academy, being selected on the basis of his body conditions, which were deemed ideal for dance.[2] From 1978 to 1984, he performed as a principal dancer with the Guangzhou Ballet and then the Guangdong Dance Theatre.[3][4]
In 1991, Wang left China and received a humanitarian visa in Australia, later becoming an Australian citizen.[5] After arriving in Australia, Wang performed with the Sydney Festival Ballet.[3] In 1992, he joined the Sydney Dance Company, where he became a principal dancer and performing in productions such as "Black and Blue," "Beauty and the Beast,"[2] Trivoli,[6] and Ellipse.[7]
In October 2005, Wang was in Shanghai in a production of the Legend of Mulan with the Sydney Dance Company. During rehearsals, he was arrested by Chinese immigration officials because he had handed literature identified as "pro-democracy" to someone.[3] In his hotel room, authorities also found literature on Falun Gong, a meditation practice that is persecuted in China. Wang and his wife—who is also a professional dancer—have practiced Falun Gong since the mid-1990s. He was deported back to Australia while still in his rehearsal clothes, and was unable to perform in the production.[3][5]
In 2006 Wang joined Divine Performing Arts (later renamed Shen Yun Performing Arts), making the transition from ballet to traditional Chinese dance. He has performed as a principal dancer in addition to serving as a choreographer.[8][9] Wang views his role with Shen Yun as being to educate people about traditional Chinese culture: "We try to explore this history in terms of modern society, to let people know how good and beautiful our culture truly is.[2]
References
- ^ ConcertoNet.com, [1], Deities, Dragons, Dancers and Divas], 2010.
- ^ a b c Sid Smith. Spectable scurries into town on eve of Chinese New Year”, Chicago Tribune.
- ^ a b c d Tom Allard and Jano Gibson, Australian dancer deported from China, Sydney Morning Herald, October 6, 2005.
- ^ The Main Artists of Divine Performing Arts
- ^ a b Tom Allard and Sharon Verghis, Out-of-step dancer treads on China’s toes, Sydney Morning Herald, October 7, 2005.
- ^ Jill Sykes, Trivoli, Sydney Dance Company, Sydney Morning Herald, February 20, 2003.
- ^ Jill Sykes, Ellipse, Sydney Dance Company, Sydney Morning Herald, May 10, 2002.
- ^ Frankfurtlive.com, Shen Yun Europa-Tourneestart in Deutschland February 5, 2008.
- ^ Bill Stephens, Myths and legends - Chinese New Year Spectacular, Canberra Review, April 2007.