Dancing to the next stage of excellence

Other highlights include Beijing Dance Academy student Wang Dashan performing the leading role of Tang Dynasty poet Wang Wei, in a traditional Chinese dance piece, titled Niao Ming Jian (Bird-Singing Stream). Named after Wang Wei's poem of the same title, it tells the story of the poet's life.

"I practiced from 8 am to 9 pm every day for the past four months. This intensive training has been a memorable experience," recalls the 22-year-old. "I watched lots of videos about Wang Wei and other Tang Dynasty poets to get closer to the character. I didn't sleep much because Wang Wei was always on my mind."

According to Zheng Lu, Wang Dashan's coach and deputy director of the traditional Chinese dance department at the Beijing Dance Academy, the Taoli Cup was a great chance to test teaching at the school.

"The traditional Chinese dance department has existed since the school was founded in 1954. Many great Chinese dancers have trained there. We have been evolving to give traditional Chinese dance a new life, while maintaining its essence. These young students mirror our efforts and achievements," says Zheng.

Shao Junting, a teacher at the Beijing Dance Academy, still remembers that when she participated in the cup as a student, she practiced day and night. It took her over a year to prepare her piece, Lotus Flower, which won the top prize during the 8th Taoli Cup. It became her most famous piece, and is still performed by students of traditional Chinese dance at the Beijing Dance Academy.

"This year, I participated in the Taoli Cup as a teacher, and demonstrated my classroom and teaching approaches. The transition from a dancer to a teacher is not easy and I am still adjusting," she says. "What touched me most was when young students came and told me how much they loved my performance of Lotus Flower, which is now considered a 'classic'."

For the first time, the Taoli Cup featured contemporary dance, which is a relatively new style in China compared to traditional Chinese dance and Chinese folk dance, and still caters to a minority taste.