Prima Ballerinas 621

Yuan Yuan Tan: A Life in Dance It's strange to think that something as seemingly frivolous as ballet could be the driving force behind a life. But for me, Yuan Yuan Tan, it's the absolute truth. From the moment I first stepped onto a stage, I was captivated by the elegance and athleticism of ballet. The stories told through movement, the beauty of the costumes, the camaraderie with my fellow dancers - all of it drew me in and wouldn't let me go. Early Years in Nanjing I was born in 1976 in the city of Nanjing, China. From an early age, I showed a natural inclination towards the arts. My parents weren't dancers themselves, but they saw my talent and nurtured it. I started ballet classes at the tender age of seven, completely smitten with the magic of movement. My parents were supportive, enrolling me in the Nanjing Dance School where I honed my skills, developing a love for the discipline and precision required for ballet. It was here that my love for ballet truly blossomed, fuelled by my fascination with its captivating artistry. As I grew, my talent blossomed. By 14, I had been chosen to join the esteemed Shanghai Ballet, embarking on a new chapter of my life. The journey wasn't easy, far from it. The strict training regimen demanded unwavering dedication. It was physically challenging, demanding long hours and demanding discipline, but I relished the opportunity to develop my abilities. The dancers around me became like family, we pushed each other to become better, to push the boundaries of what we could achieve. Every step, every pirouette, was a journey of self-discovery and artistic growth. Emerging as a Soloist It wasn't long before my natural talent shone through, earning me the position of soloist within the Shanghai Ballet. My early solo roles were both thrilling and challenging, but each performance was an invaluable experience, each one contributing to my artistic development. With each dance, my confidence grew, and my performances took on a depth and intensity that captivated audiences. I felt my passion for the art form deepening with every step I took. Stepping onto the World Stage In 1995, my career took a significant turn. A chance encounter with renowned choreographer, Maurice Béjart, was a defining moment. His vision, his innovative style and the way he breathed new life into classical ballet was truly inspiring. We struck up a rapport that went beyond just the professional, it felt like a kindred spirit connection. He invited me to join his Béjart Ballet Lausanne. It was a nerve wracking and exhilarating moment - leaving the familiarity of the Shanghai Ballet, for a company that represented the pinnacle of ballet artistry, and venturing into the unfamiliar territory of Switzerland. Life in Switzerland was a significant culture shock, a world away from the bustle and familiarity of Nanjing. But I adapted, drawn by the energy of Lausanne. Béjart embraced me, giving me an opportunity to expand my artistry with solo roles in his famous pieces, 'The Rite of Spring' and 'Bolero.' It was a challenge to master his dynamic, powerful style but a deeply fulfilling experience, and a vital stage in my development. My repertoire grew beyond just classical ballet, the opportunity to collaborate with a range of talented choreographers and to develop a wider performance skill set was incredible. San Francisco Ballet - A New Chapter After five years at Béjart Ballet Lausanne, my career took another turn when I received an offer from the San Francisco Ballet, which I accepted. The opportunity to dance under the direction of Helgi Tomasson, a renowned artist and ballet master, felt like a step into a new artistic world. San Francisco welcomed me with open arms, the artistic energy of the city was a driving force for my own growth as a dancer. I thrived on the opportunities that Helgi and the company presented, particularly collaborating on several ballets with legendary choreographers like Alexei Ratmansky and Christopher Wheeldon. Breaking New Ground with 'The Lady of the Camellias' A pivotal point in my career arrived with the 2007 world premiere of 'The Lady of the Camellias.' Helgi Tomasson crafted the role of Marguerite, a courtesan, especially for me, with its dramatic range allowing me to push my artistic boundaries and showcase my versatility as a dancer. This ballet garnered much attention for its raw emotionality, my performance received exceptional praise, and I felt the power of a deeply personal story told through the language of ballet, reaching a level of expression I had never achieved before. It opened up new perspectives on what I could accomplish, challenging my capabilities, and revealing new facets of my own artistry. It was a performance that transcended just being a dancer, it allowed me to truly inhabit the character and deliver the story. Pushing Boundaries with Choreography As my career continued, my passion for ballet extended beyond simply being a performer. I started to dabble in choreography. The desire to express my artistic vision through the creation of dance movements grew stronger with every passing performance. Initially, my creations were relatively modest - small works within the framework of established ballets, opportunities that allowed me to experiment with movement and shape my artistic voice. But this taste for creating was just the beginning of my journey as a choreographer. Collaborations and Inspiration One particular collaboration was an illuminating moment, working with the Chinese artist, Ai Weiwei. His work and art installations always inspired me, they captured such a distinct contemporary feel. I collaborated on his project 'The Square', a powerful work with poignant commentary on political and social dynamics. The collaboration pushed me into new creative territories, challenging my perspectives and understanding of the language of movement. It was a fantastic experience and reinforced my view that ballet has an incredible power to convey profound and impactful stories, it's not just a spectacle of beautiful movements but a powerful art form capable of sparking crucial dialogues. Balancing Ballet and Motherhood A few years ago, my world was transformed by becoming a mother. Balancing my career with motherhood was a significant challenge, but one I relished. The transition came with its own unique adjustments and I found new strength and resilience, but I never gave up my pursuit of dance, even during those initial, somewhat hectic, early years. It is a balance that I’m still finding, there’s no magical formula, but I believe in nurturing both passions - motherhood and ballet - they’re not mutually exclusive but actually enhance and support each other. My daughter is growing up in a world where dance is a part of her daily life. Looking Back, and Moving Forward As I reflect on my journey, I feel a sense of immense gratitude. I’ve been blessed with an incredible career, travelling the world, and performing on the biggest stages in ballet. My career has been one of constant evolution, growth and personal development, which continues to be shaped by my experiences. I am grateful for the opportunities that have come my way, the chance to work with amazing artists and the privilege of sharing my passion with audiences. My future plans are filled with a mixture of anticipation and excitement. I’m excited to see what new opportunities lie ahead, to continue to explore my creativity as a performer and choreographer, and to inspire the next generation of dancers. My commitment to ballet remains strong and unwavering, but now I see its role in my life from a wider perspective, one that encompasses my life as a mother and as an artist with something more to offer beyond the performance stage. As the years go by, the drive and commitment remain constant, the vision and passion still blaze brightly within me, the ballet flame within me will always burn. I feel deeply privileged and fulfilled that I am a ballet dancer, the embodiment of this timeless art form.