Asian

[Guest pointequeen]

I noticed that there aren't may asians (not including russians) in the ballet pro world. I know that usually companies do not exclude dancers because of their race but could asian dancers become pro in the US?

sorry if this sounds like a dumb question:rolleyes:

[Victoria Leigh]

Actually Erin there are a LOT of Asian dancers in this country and in probably almost all of the companies! There are dancers from China, Japan, So. Korea, and probably several other countries too.

[Mel Johnson]

Even in Vietnam, all those years ago during the war, I was able to find ballet classes being taught by a Vietnamese teacher who had been trained at the Paris Opera School. I also found classes to take in Japan and the Philippines. The "Ballet Boom" hadn't hit S. Korea yet, when I was there, and in Taiwan, I was too far out in the boondocks to be able to get to classes I knew were in Taipei.

[Guest Broken Shimmer]

A while ago I read an article in Cosmogirl about a Philippina ballerina who now dances with ABT. I can't remember what her name is though, if I can I'll try and find the article. I do remember her saying, that she had to work harder though because Philippino people are usually short (which is true, I'm Philippina myself and when I went there most people do tend to be on the shorter side). But I know there's a new dancer in ABT that's asian!

[Guest pointequeen]

Yeah, I heard about her. Her name is Stella Abrera. Is she short too? Where do you find all their heights?(its true, filipinas are usually not tall; nobody in my family is taller than, 5'3)

[PinkShoes24]

hi! I'm Phillipino too, I'm only 5', , and i think i stopped growing, because my whole family is around this height (grr) Anyway, is it possible for American companies to accept short, Phillipino girls? Just wondering, I was also wondering, what month was that article in? Thanks!

[Victoria Leigh]

Phillipino is not a problem, but 5' could be. It's pretty small for corps de ballet, so, a dancer of this stature will need to be special enough to be a soloist.

[Guest tigger_fan_ann]

hahaha! Here in the Philippines, I always have a heard time fitting in when it comes to ballet. I'm a Filipina and yet I'm already 5'6'' at age 14. Quite tall for my nationality. It's really hard... one time, they had to remove me from a beautiful dance because I was too tall.

 

Not all Filipinos are small. Like for my family, most guys grow up to be 6'0'' or taller. The gurls are like 5'9'' or something.

 

err...I'd like to correct you all about something.

 

When we refer to the people from the Philippines, it's Filipinos not Philipinos. It may be a little confusing but you'll get used to it.

[Victoria Leigh]

I wondered about that, tigger fan, as I had seen it posted that way, Filipino, but was not sure. Thank you for clearing that up!

[Guest tigger_fan_ann]

no problem...hehe

[Rubies]

San Francisco Ballet has several asian dancers. Go to http://www.sfballet.org/about/company/artists.asp

[Guest pointe]

There are quite a few Asians who have made it big in ballet:

 

Yuan Yuan Tan from China: Principal, SFB

 

Miyako Yoshida from Japan: Soloist or Principal (not sure!), Royal Ballet, England

 

Tong Shusheng form China: Principal, Guangzhou Ballet, China and frequent guest artist with Cincinnati Ballet (from Pointe Magazine - Oct/Nov 2002)

 

Yin Le from China: Principal, Houston Ballet

 

These are the ones that I can recall off my mind. I know there are numerous Chinese from China and Japanese who are attached to smaller regional companies around US. I think Ballet West do have quite a few Asians in its ranks.

 

~pointe~