1.Imprints of Tang Dynasty

This dance showcases the resplendent charm of the Tang Dynasty through the group portraits of revived female figurines, from its gradual rise to peak prosperity and eventual decline, which finally return to tranquility. The Dynasty may seem static when we read the historical records. Dance, however, has endowed this dynasty with a new imagery—an era that was once vividly alive and later fell into silence. The core essence of this dance does not lie in interpreting the psychological thoughts behind the image of female figurines. Instead, it allows the audience to revisit that age known as the “Golden Age” through the performance.

2.Dancing Strings

This short ballet piece is set to Niccolò Paganini’s 24 Caprices and dramatizes the moment of its creation. One male dancer as Paganini, while eight ballerinas represent musical notes. Together, they bring the composition process to life through movement.

3.Convergence

“Convergence” dance piece is a duet focused on the image of balance in opposition and diversity. In this piece the dancers take on the principles of masculinity and femininity as main way of their expression. The main inspiration for the choreography is the idea of harmony and change contained in the Tao philosophy. The piece was created as a result of a strong influence of Chinese traditional culture on the choreographer’s artistic life which manifests itself by combining contemporary dance technique with Chinese sword dance and Chinese fan dance.

4.Ngajat Lesung

This dance is illustrating the manifestation of power and masculinity in the Iban men of Sarawak. It is a traditional practise of this native group which highlights the Iban warrior in showcasing his strength by lifting a wooden rice mortar weight around 20 kilograms (lesung kayo) with his teeth which is culminating this dance presentation. This has followed by the welcoming of the warrior by the Iban maidens.

5.The first, The last

Two meetings. In the first — something begins. In the second — something fades. Between them: a glance, a gesture, a silence too full to explain. A body learning someone else. A voice not yet spoken. A goodbye that doesn’t say its names.

6.Working-in-Progress

“Exploring energetic contrasts and complex emotions, the choreography centres movement in the storytelling. Themes explored in the creative process include the creation of identity through belonging in a world in flux.” (Dr Lise Uytterhoeven)

7.Polarissima

Story of a lost person’s search for and following of the guiding light — a metaphorical “North Star” (Polaris). It reflects the journey of discovery and the establishment of an inner sense.

8.Trace – Colors in Motion

This work is choreographed by two Masters Students in the NYU American Ballet Theater Pedagogy Program. The choreography is innovative, bringing together Classical Ballet technique with Contemporary choreographic form, and brings together two choreographic works to tell a unified story.  Maria Ferraro, NYU ABT Masters Student created “Trace”. Set to Schubert’ s Impromptu No. 3, “Trace” blends contemporary movement on pointe with classical music and aesthetics, as the dancers traverse and trace the space, creating a dynamic interplay between modern form and traditional structure. Sasha Ai Ling Lane, also a NYU ABT Masters Student created the second section of the dance, “Colors in Motion”, which is an energetic ballet piece that is inspired by watercolors. The choreographers themselves will be performing, bringing the process to a full circle of creation, collaboration and performance.

9.Timeline

In the quiet symmetry of life, we grow like parallel lines: close, yet forever apart.

10.Whispers in Motion

The convergence of hearts is like the whispered dialogue between stars, shimmering with invisible ties. In each other’s movements, souls weave endless resonance and harmony.

11.The Sleeping Beauty

Final scene of Act III of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Sleeping Beauty, choreographed by Marius Petipa. The wedding adagio, variations, and coda of Princess Aurora and Prince Désiré.

12.Hé

The work Hé takes the homophones of the Chinese characters “河 (river)”, “和 (harmony)” and “合 (collaboration)”. It takes water as the vein, harmony as the soul, and collaboration as the step. By depicting the Thames and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, it stages a “Dialogue of Rivers” and “mutual learning between civilizations”. Based on the experiences of exchange students and integrating Chinese and British musical theater elements, it demonstrates a three-dimensional dialogue between Chinese and British cultures, showing their symbiosis, coexistence and cooperative progress.