Renowned Chinese-Canadian principal ballet dancer Chan Hon Goh is set to present a special repertoire at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on June 21st, 2024, as part of its weeklong festival, 10,000 Dreams: A Celebration of Asian Choreography. Curated by the Kennedy Center, the celebration shines the spotlight on Asian and Asian American choreographers including honouring Goh’s uncle and legendary late choreographer Choo San Goh at a one-night-only program for a special tribute.
Singaporean-born choreographer Choo San Goh, who died in 1987 at the age of 39, served as resident choreographer for the Washington Ballet for nearly a decade, contributing works to the American Ballet Theatre, Paris Opera, the Royal Danish Ballet, Boston Ballet, among many others companies around the world. As one of the only Asian choreographers an American ballet company had ever commissioned, the Kennedy Center is recognizing the great American choreographer and trailblazer by inviting national and international special guests to present his iconic works, including the ‘Ballade.
Originally created for five young dancers including Chan Hon Goh, ‘Ballade’ is a journey of self-discovery, as dancers explore their connections with each other and reveal the depths of their own identities. Choo San Goh’s choreography is a testament to the boundless potential of youth and the enduring magnetism of artistic expression. The piece has never been performed by another company in the past 30 years, making this collaboration a historic moment.
“It’s an incredible honour to bring ‘Ballade’ to the Kennedy Center and to stage this beautiful piece on the talented dancers of the National Ballet of China. This piece is very dear to me, as it was created specifically for me by my late uncle. It’s a privilege to share it for the first time with audiences in Washington, D.C. and beyond.”
Chan Hon Goh’s connection to the National Ballet of China adds a poignant layer to this celebrated piece. Although her professional engagements primarily have been with The National Ballet of Canada, Goh’s relationship with the ballet company in China runs deep.
“I’ve always had a special place in my heart for the National Ballet of China as this was the company where my parents built their careers and where I was first exposed to the world of classical ballet,” says Goh. “To be able to bring to these dancers in China, the artistic nuances and stylized choreographic artistry to the North American stage is a special opportunity.”
By bringing Choo San Goh’s illustrious legacy and works back to his hometown in Washington D.C. with these extraordinary dancers from Beijing, this significant performance celebrating Asian creativity in the ballet field at the Kennedy Center not only marks a profound milestone for the Goh legacy, but also for the world of ballet.
Photo credit: Washington Ballet in Choo San Goh’s Fives by Dean Alexander
Photo credit: Chan Hon Go rehearsing ‘Ballade’ by: Nicholas Schmitt
