Chen Zhenwei, first Chinese principal dancer in NYC Ballet's 74-year history

Editor︰Ivy Cin

On the ballet stage dominated by Americans, a rendition full of Chinese characteristics, Butterfly Lovers, quietly debuted in Manhattan, New York, captivating the audience with the beautifully romantic story.

The choreographer and dancer of this performance is Chen Zhenwei, a dancer from Huizhou, Guangdong. He is the first principal dancer of Chinese descent in the New York City Ballet's 74-year history. How did a Chinese face rise to the pinnacle of a Western ballet company?

The only boy in dance class

As a native of Guangdong, Chen Zhenwei has been learning to dance with with his older sister since kindergarten and is the only boy in the dance class. His parents sent him to learn dancing simply to fill his spare time, but his passion for dance grew unexpectedly.

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Born in 1992, Chen Zhenwei has been learning dance since he was a child and has built up a strong foundation in dance. The image shows Chen practicing at the Guangzhou Arts School. (Web Image)

At the age of 11, he got the opportunity to learn ballet at the Guangzhou Arts School. Naturally, his family was against the idea, but Chen Zhenwei showed a decision-making prowess beyond his age. He wrote a seven-page letter to persuade his parents to let him study dance in Guangzhou.

With long arms and legs, for he is weak-limbed and even somewhat uncoordinated. But he was willing to work hard. "During those six years at the Guangzhou Arts School, you could say I had no life," said Chen, "I felt that if I missed practice for just one day, I would find my self in regression. Even when I was traveling, I had to carve out time to practice in my room."

Six years later, Chen Zhenwei's excellent performance at the Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland earned him invitations from nine renowned dance companies. Eventually, he accepted a scholarship from the Houston Ballet and went to the United States to study alone.

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Chen Zhenwei left his hometown at the age of 18 to study in the United States. After years of hard work, he found his place among a group of Western faces. (Image source: Chen Zhenwei@Weibo)

Five-year journey to the top

In 2012, he formally joined the Houston Ballet, becoming one of the only three dancers of Chinese descent in the company. However, Chen Zhenwei was injured shortly after joining and missed all the important roles, which left him no choice but to become an ensemble performer.

"When I was lost, I wanted too much," Chen recalled. Looking for opportunities everywhere, he thought about going to college and participating in competitions. At that time, a book named The One Thing changed him. "After I finished reading it, I realised that once you do one thing well, all other problems can be solved."

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"It makes me feel proud," said Chen Zhenwei, "when a Chinese face with black hair and yellow skin appears in the centre of the stage, impressing the audience with dance technique and strength." (Web Image)

In 2016, he starred as the Nutcracker Prince in the new version of "The Nutcracker", and was promoted to first soloist. In the following year, he was promoted again to principal dancer.

Generally speaking, ballet dancers start their careers as apprentices and need about a decade to rise through the ranks, but Chen Zhenwei did it in within five years.

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Chen Zhenwei participated in "Dance Storm", a dance reality show in Mainland China, and many people got to know him through this programme. (Web Image)

The first Chinese principal dancer in top-notch ballet company

However, becoming a principal dancer does not mean that he has reached the end.

Once, his parents went to Houston to watch his performance in "The Nutcracker" and noticed that he seemed to be in a "retirement mode". They encouraged him to find ways to keep improving.

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From 2018 to 2019, Chen Zhenwei was Guest Principal Dancer with the Hong Kong Ballet. The image shows Chen peforming as the Prince in the Hong Kong Ballet's "Swan Lake". (Web Image)

In August 2021, Chen Zhenwei joined the New York City Ballet which was founded by George Balanchine, "Father of American Ballet", and one of the top ballet companies in the world. 95% of its dancers come from the School of American Ballet. Only 5% come from outside the school, and Chen is one of them.

Moving from the relatively comfortable Houston to the dynamic New York, Chen Zhenwei not only dropped a rank and was no longer a principal dancer, but also had to face high costs and a busier lifestyle.

Besides, the operating methods and performance styles of these two ballet companies were of huge difference. Chen Zhenwei had to start from scratch again.

In May 2022, he was once again promoted to Principal Dancer, becoming the first Chinese with this title in the New York City Ballet.

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A well-built physique from years of training is also one of the reasons why Chen Zhenwei becomes popular. He has even been praised by netizens as "David in real life". (Web Image)

What is the key to standing firm in a top-tier ballet company?

"One of the most crucial qualities is the ability to adapt quickly," said Chen Zhenwei, "a Chinese face on a Western stage, especially in a ballet company led by Americans, means you have to work harder, and be more outstanding."

A choreographer once commented on Chen Zhenwei, saying that he was like going to someone else's house, dancing in someone else's culture, and doing it even better.

But Chen has done more than that. He is even influencing other people's culture.

Chen tries to integrate Chinese and Western cultures in his artwork, and the "Butterfly Lovers", mentioned at the beginning of the article, is an example. "I hope American audiences can also enjoy the fantastic Chinese culture," said Chen Zhenwei.

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Chen Zhenwei also promotes ballet through online and offline platforms. The image shows him teaching ballet to children back in China. (Web Image)

Read more: The foreigner who sings Chinese songs the best? "Tang Bohu" making the world listen to "Chinese Style"

Read more: China's first female conductor, 91 years old and still working to spread Chinese culture

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