Wings of change

The trajectory of Chinese dance, much like the peacock's majestic plumage, has been expansive and vibrant, especially since the reforms of 1978. Yang's performance at the 1990 Beijing Asian Games marked a pivotal moment, showcasing the fusion of traditional Chinese dance with contemporary flair. Her influence has spread through the dance community, inspiring productions like Dynamic Yunnan and Under Siege that have captivated audiences in over 50 countries.

"As a Chinese dancer, I am very proud of being able to present Chinese culture to the world through my art," said Yang, balancing conviction with humility.

Amid the lush greenery of Yunnan and the ethereal mists of Shaanxi, a bird once on the brink of oblivion has taken to the skies — not just in the wild, but on the world stage of performing arts. The crested ibis, a symbol of fortune that once faced extinction, has been given a new lease of life, both in its natural habitat and in the realm of cultural expression.

In the quiet corners of Yangxian county, Shaanxi province, what seemed like the final chapter for the crested ibis was being rewritten. Seven surviving birds, discovered by vigilant Chinese scientists, became the seed of hope for a species that had vanished elsewhere due to over-hunting and pesticide use. From these fragile beginnings, a conservation triumph emerged, and the crested ibis began its steady return from the shadows of extinction.

Shanghai Dance Theatre, recognizing the profound narrative woven into the ibis' resurgence, brought its tale to life through the dance drama Soaring Wings: Journey of the Crested Ibis. Premiering in 2014 with Zhu Jiejing as the lead, the production earned accolades as the Eastern counterpart to Swan Lake, masterfully blending the grace of ballet with the essence of Chinese dance.

Yet, the path to reviving such an obscure avian character was not without its challenges. Zhu Jiejing, whose own dance aspirations were once stirred by childhood dreams of beautiful dresses, ventured to the crested ibis' ancestral grounds in Sado, Japan.

There, she observed the minutiae of their existence, from their drinking rituals to their foraging habits. Zhu's dedication to her art was clear: to dance like the ibis was to understand its very soul. "It's not about imitation; you have to dance with your heart," she said.

Zhu's journey with dance, a testament to resilience and passion, had led her from being a young hopeful at the Shanghai Dance School to the distinguished principal dancer she is today. The rigors of training, once a stark contrast to her initial vision of dance, had become the foundation of her artistic integrity.

In 2015, Zhu and the Soaring Wings troupe embarked on an exhaustive two-month tour across Japan, performing 57 times in 64 days. "It takes a lot of confidence to conduct such a large-scale commercial tour of a Chinese dance drama overseas," Zhu said.

As the drama unfolded, the auditorium descended into an intense silence — so profound that one could hear a pin drop. To Zhu's amazement, the silence was shattered by a thunderous eruption of applause at the conclusion of the show.

"The audience's applause was so overwhelming that it felt like a tidal wave crashing onto the stage," recalled Zhu. "I realized that the audience was showering us with their utmost approval."

The profound adoration and support from the Japanese audience uplifted the performers' spirits. The final performance even brought them a big surprise.

"After our last show, just when we believed everything had concluded flawlessly, the auditorium was suddenly illuminated; fireworks erupted and ribbons danced through the air, and our emotions soared beyond control," Zhu shared. "The audience unfurled a banner bearing the words 'Eternal Sino-Japanese Friendship' and 'Thank You'."

Over the past decade, Chinese dance has accelerated its global reach. From the Nasdaq screen in Times Square to the hallowed halls of the Kennedy Center in Washington DC and the Lincoln Center in New York, Chinese stories like The Peony Pavilion and The Red Detachment of Women have captured the imagination of audiences worldwide.

The journey continued in January 2018 when Soaring Wings brought its poetic interpretation of the crested ibis' flight to the Lincoln Center. Despite a historic "bomb cyclone" snowstorm and temperatures plunging to — 15 C, the theater, with nearly 2,000 seats, was filled.

Zhu, reflecting on these milestones, sees a bright future for Chinese dance on the international stage, saying, "Now, armed with confidence, the authentic artistic creations that we wholeheartedly support have received acclaim from the West."