Xinyi Zhang
Founder/Artistic Director
Choreographer, Emerging Dance Educator
BFA in Chinese Classical Dance, Beijing Dance Academy
MA in Dance Education, New York University
The artistic career began in Beijing, where she studied at the Affiliated Secondary School of Beijing Dance Academy. During this time, she participated in the 9th Tao Li Cup National Dance Competition, performing “Spring Dawn” and received Third Prize in Solo Performance.
Early stage experiences included appearances on CCTV-11’s Peking Opera Showcase and in the 60th Anniversary Gala of Beijing Dance Academy. With extensive training, she performed at major events such as the World Women University Presidents Forum at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
She played the leading role of Bai Suzhen in the acclaimed dance drama “Broken Bridge”, choreographed by Hu Yan, and received First Prize in the North China Five Provinces Dance Competition.
After moving to the United States, she performed the duet “Coexistence” choreographed by Tian Tian in Cincinnati, and later starred in the ballet “Firebird” in collaboration with the Texas Medical Center Orchestra in Houston. She also danced as a main company member with Ad Deum Dance Company, a modern dance ensemble based in Houston.
In 2022, she pursued her Master’s degree at New York University, where she received both a College Scholarship and the Outstanding Artistry Award. After graduation, she starred as Mulan in the dance drama “My Mulan”, choreographed by Li Lin and Liu Lili, performed in Toronto. She was later awarded a full scholarship to the José Limón Dance Foundation Training Program. In 2023, she served as a judge for the Youth Dance Festival and collaborated with renowned choreographers such as Deborah Damast, Randall Flinn, and Durell R. Comedy.
In 2024, she created and directed the original dance production “Heaven & Earth”, an interdisciplinary work that blends modern and classical dance with multimedia storytelling. The same year, she joined the José Limón Dance Company, and was invited by NYU’s Steinhardt School of Music and Performing Arts Professions as the lead choreographer for a large-scale production of “Heaven & Earth”, in collaboration with Percussion Director Jonathan Haas, Dance Education Director Deborah Damast, and Chinese-Canadian musician Pius Cheung.
Throughout her time at Beijing Dance Academy, she successfully coached students for professional dance entrance exams. In the U.S., she has over eight years of teaching experience in Chinese classical dance, ballet, and modern dance, with her students earning top awards at national competitions such as YAGP, KAR, and Showstopper.
ABT® (American Ballet Theatre) National Training Curriculum
Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT)
Beijing Dance Academy Chinese Dance Graded Examination System
Huiwang Zhang
Guest Artist
Huiwang Zhang previously performed as a principal dancer with the China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater and Paper Tiger Theater Studio in Beijing.
After earning his Master’s degrees in Dance and Choreography in the United States and Germany, he joined the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company in 2017 as a principal dancer.
He has studied under renowned mentors including Stephen Koester, Sharee Lane, Ellen Bromberg, and Katharina Christl, and has also collaborated with Pearsonwidrig Dancetheater and Yin Mei Dance.
Huiwang’s movement research and teaching are deeply influenced by his traditional training in Chinese classical dance and martial arts, as well as by his mentors Jennifer Nugent, Sarah Pearson, Leah Cox, Patrik Widrig, Tao Ye, Eric Handman, and Janet Wong.
His choreographic works often explore sociocultural themes, amplifying the voices of communities at risk of social exclusion and those whose stories are forgotten by mainstream narratives. Through personal and intimate storytelling, he constructs an alternative form of history.
His works have been presented in China, the United States, and Germany. In addition to his performance and choreography, Huiwang volunteers as an editor for the online dance journal “Upsidedown” in China, where he contributes essays and translates ideas on contemporary dance creation into Chinese.
Studio Faculty
Tianyu Wang
Chinese Dance/ Modern Dance/ Contemporary Teacher
Tianyu Wang is a dancer from Beijing, China, where he graduated as the Student Body President of the Beijing Dance Academy’s Chinese Dance Program. He is currently in his fourth year of study at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), pursuing a BFA in Contemporary Dance. Before becoming a dancer, Tianyu was a pianist and swimmer, which provided him with a strong foundation in both music and physicality, helping shape his current path in dance.
Growing up in an artistic environment, he demonstrated exceptional talent in both dance performance and choreography from an early age, winning numerous competitions organized by the Beijing Dance Academy, and leading several solo and group performances. After studying at one of the best art schools in China, Tianyu moved to the United States with a desire to challenge himself and immerse himself in new cultures and dance styles.
During his time at UNCSA, Tianyu has worked with many esteemed choreographers and dancers, performing works by artists such as José Limón, Darrell Moultrie, Trey McIntyre, Juel Lane, Grady Bowman, Ashley Lindsey, Ming-Lung Yang, Brenda Daniels, and others.
His training spans a variety of techniques, including Cunningham, Limón, and Countertechnique at UNCSA, as well as Chinese Classical Dance, Chinese Folk Dance,
and martial arts during his earlier studies.
Tianyu strives to approach every moment with positivity and determination. He hopes to share his culture and continue creating opportunities through his academic and artistic pursuits. strives to approach every moment with positivity and determination. He hopes to share his culture and continue creating opportunities through his academic and artistic pursuits.
Shuqi Cong
Chinese Dance/ Modern Dance/ Contemporary Teacher
Shuqi Cong is an independent choreographer and dancer whose work bridges cultures and forms. He served as a choreographer for “Building a Snowflake” at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and appeared as a featured dancer on Hunan TV’s Dance Smash in 2020. In 2024, he performed in Shen Wei’s productions “Fusion” (Shanghai Xie Ding Art Center) and “Elephant·One Year” (National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing & Shanghai International Dance Center).
Cong’s original works have been presented across France and Germany, including his representative dance-theater piece “Destination”. He won First Prize for Choreography at the Singapore International Dance Competition for “Taste”, and his piece “Duel” was named one of the Top Ten Works at China’s Lotus Cup for Ethnic and Folk Dance. He has also collaborated with Portugal’s Quorum Ballet on “The Rite of Spring”. Cong is a former member of Martha Graham 2 Company.
Studio Faculty
Sierra-Loren Chapman
Modern Dance/ Contemporary Teacher
Sierra-Loren Chapman was born in Paducah, Kentucky, and grew up in Central Florida. Her early passion for dance led her to pursue formal training at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a focus in Contemporary Dance under the direction of Dean Endalyn Taylor Outlaw.
During her time at UNCSA, Sierra-Loren performed works by Jim Vincent, Juel Lane, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Brenda Daniels, Merce Cunningham, Robert Battle, and José Limón. She also performed “Dark Meadow Suite” by Martha Graham at The Joyce Theater in New York as part of the Martha Graham Dance Company’s 100th Anniversary Gala.
While at school, Sierra-Loren developed her choreographic voice, presenting both solo and group works, as well as choreography for film and music videos. Beyond her university training, she has studied with renowned choreographers such as AlexandraDamiani, Jacob Jonas, Victor Quijada, Tom Weinberger, Bruno Guillore, and Eric Beauchesne through international programs including BJM360, BODYTRAFFIC, RUBBERBAND, and Kidd Pivot’s repertoire workshop. In 2025, she presented her own choreography at SOLOCOREOGRAFICO Solo Dance Festival in Germany, marking her international choreographic debut.
In 2025, Sierra-Loren started her first season with MOMIX, where she continues to explore the intersection of physicality and imagination, and is inspired by dance’s ability to connect and transform through storytelling.
Jingxi Li
Chinese Dance Teacher
Jingxi Li is a dance educator, choreographer, and dancer specializing in Chinese folk and modern dance. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Choreography from Yunnan Arts University and a Master’s degree in Dance Education from New York University. She has taught and choreographed at various institutions and dance studios in China and the US, gaining extensive experience in the field. Her passion lies in blending traditional and contemporary dance to tell cultural stories through movement while promoting diversity and inclusivity in the dance community.
Studio Faculty
Lejing Liu
Chinese Dance Teacher/
Lejing Liu is a dancer, choreographer, educator, and movement analyst with a substantial dance science and education background. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Beijing Dance Academy, graduated with honors in 2022, and a master’s degree from New York University. Her training includes contemporary, Chinese classical, and modern dance techniques.
Lejing has gained experience serving as a dance teacher and choreographer at the Little Red School House and Dalton School in New York City. Her choreographic work and performances have been showcased at venues like the Lincoln Center, Ailey Citigroup, Radio City Hall, Frederick Loewe Theater, and NYU Future Reality Lab. Her approach to dance education reflects a blend of technical skills and a commitment to integrating cultural elements into her practice.
Abby Zeng
Chinese Dance Teacher
Abby Zeng, a dancer, choreographer, educator, and arts manager based in New York City, holds a BFA in Dance Education from Beijing Dance Academy and an MA in Dance Education at New York University. Her works have been performed nationally and internationally at prestigious venues such as Radio City Hall in NYC, Alvin Ailey, NYU, Beijing Dance Academy, the National Centre for the Performing Arts, and the Great Hall of the People. As an educator, she has taught in public schools both in China and America, sharing her passion and expertise in dance with students across continents.