China News Agency, Vancouver, March 1. Question: How can I gain a foothold in the Western Ballet Palace?
——Interview with the famous Canadian Chinese ballet dancer Wu Zhenhong
China News Agency reporter Yu Ruidong
Wu Zhenhong, who was born in a ballet family and immigrated to Canada with her parents since she was a child, joined the National Ballet of Canada at the age of 19. Five years later, she became the first Chinese principal dancer of the troupe and held this role for 15 years.
Since then, she took over the ballet academy founded by her parents in Vancouver, and is committed to cultivating rising stars.
With her artistic achievements and social contributions, she has won many awards including the highest honor of Canadian citizens, the Order of Canada, and an honorary doctorate from the University of British Columbia (UBC).
Wu Zhenhong recently accepted an exclusive interview with China News Agency "Dongxiwen" in Vancouver, telling how she views her career and success.
The interview transcript is summarized as follows:
China News Agency reporter: In the Canadian classical ballet circle, it is actually very difficult for a Chinese woman to become a national principal dancer. What do you think is the main reason why you can stand in that position?
Wu Zhenhong:
When I was at the National Ballet of Canada, once I had just finished rehearsing, a colleague from the office came over and said that you were the first Chinese starring in the troupe after checking the archives for the company’s celebration.
I didn't actually think about it at the time.
When I heard this, I hope that in the future, not only me, but also many Chinese main actors will appear on the stage of the National Ballet of Canada and the world.
Ballet itself is a very difficult career, because you can't just rely on the image, you must have a figure, but also a sense of music, physical softness, understanding, expressive ability on stage, and ability to communicate with the audience. etc.
This needs to be practiced every day, every hour, and every moment, and it needs to be improved.
Ballet is a western art.
Although it is a very international art now, are these dance dramas suitable for Asians in Canada, North America, or Europe?
I think you must be very devoted, constantly pondering, and actually practicing.
As far as my personal conditions are concerned, my body is not that soft, and I have to break through my own obstacles and keep practicing and grinding.
Some people make the mistake of thinking that ballet is all about physical expression.
In my opinion, a ballet artist should not be just a dancer, but needs to use his mind to figure out how to embody his unique expression in the role.
This requires observing the performances of many stars in the history of ballet, absorbing them, and then expressing them through their own understanding.
File photo of Wu Zhenhong's stage stills.
Courtesy Wu Ballet Academy, photo by Cylla von Tiedemann
China News Agency reporter: In your opinion, what proportion do you think artistic talent, family training and personal efforts account for in your own success?
Wu Zhenhong:
The best answer is to divide it into stages.
It takes a lot of hard work at first.
Without self-demanding hard work, it is impossible to reach a certain level.
So you must be hardworking at the beginning.
If you work hard once, you will know that to succeed, you need to work hard forever.
The second is my family background.
Because I am surrounded by people who understand what a dance career is, they can give me some "tricks" or help me plan step by step.
So fortunately, my parents have experience in this area to teach me.
After reaching a certain level and position in this industry, how can we take another step forward?
That is definitely a talent that cannot be taken away by others.
Everyone can work hard and find a good teacher to help them, but the talent cannot be taken away by others.
In November 2022, the University of British Columbia (UBC) held an honorary doctorate award ceremony for Wu Zhenhong, who was the first Chinese principal dancer of the Canadian National Ballet, in recognition of her artistic achievements and social contributions.
Photo by Yu Ruidong
China News Agency reporter: Among the many awards and honors you have won, which one or which ones do you particularly value?
Wu Zhenhong:
When I immigrated to Canada with my family when I was young, I couldn't speak a word of English.
The only familiar thing is ballet.
Because my parents used to be the main performers of the National Ballet of China, I was always surrounded by music and dance.
Winning for the first time is very important, and this is not a small award.
When I was 15 years old, my father took me to Lausanne, Switzerland to participate in an international dance competition.
Originally, it was just for seeing, so the preparations were hasty.
But to my dad's surprise, I made it to the finals and got a scholarship.
This is a very meaningful award for me because it gave me the confidence to step into the world of ballet and turn it into a career without doubts.
Going forward, every time I can put on a new dance drama and play a new role, although it is not a certificate or a trophy, it is an award in my heart, because this is my dream and it has come true.
I received the Order of Canada in 2019.
This is a national recognition.
What real contribution does an artist make to the country and society?
I didn't invent something that would change people's lives.
But such recognition is real, which shows that art has a certain place in people's life and is necessary.
I can bring a better environment to the society through my art, which makes me very happy.
China News Agency reporter: You once told the media that as a Chinese, you may be discriminated against in your work and life. But be wary of using discrimination as an excuse for not working hard enough or succeeding. why would you say so?
Wu Zhenhong:
I think there must be discrimination, and some people must use this as an excuse.
The most important thing is to be realistic: Did my success depend on "hiding" or "avoiding" or "covering" anything?
For example, if I have a movement that I just can't complete, then I decide not to do it again.
Let's change the movement, don't jump this movement again.
But in fact, this is a kind of "hiding", because I can't reach it, so I "remove it" and don't accept this action.
And I don't think it should be.
In my opinion, society is discriminatory, so is what I encounter discrimination, or do I use discrimination as an excuse to excuse myself for not being good enough?
This must be clearly distinguished.
In October 2022, six outstanding representatives of Chinese Canadians including Wu Zhenhong (pictured right) were awarded the "Red Maple Legend" award in Toronto.
The award aims to honor outstanding Chinese representatives who have worked hard in all walks of life in Canada, actively given back to the society, and created legends in life.
Photo by Yu Ruidong
China News Agency reporter: After you retired from the National Ballet of Canada, you became the director of the Goh Ballet Academy founded by your parents. How do you achieve a balance between art and commerce?
Wu Zhenhong:
Literature and art and commerce will always stand in different positions.
I also often "struggle", because if we want the best artistic quality, we must have money to invest.
We do not rely on any government funding, but rely on box office and commercial sponsorship.
There is indeed a certain pressure, because we have to rent a theater, invite a symphony orchestra and star dancers, plus expenses such as publicity fees, it feels like this is our "real life", and our "beautiful fantasy life" is on the stage of.
My basic requirement is not to lower the artistic standard.
There must be enough talent, confidence, strength and financial ability to maintain the requirements in terms of artistic quality.
Otherwise, there would be no meaning or motivation for me to do it.
What I want to do is the best, which is impressive and meets my artistic standards.
Wu Zhenhong at the Wu Academy of Ballet in Vancouver.
Photo by Yu Ruidong
China News Agency reporter: You have led the ballet academy team to rehearse the classic play "The Nutcracker" since 2009, and now it has become a reserved repertoire every Christmas in Vancouver. What are the characteristics of "The Nutcracker" in Vancouver in your mind?
Wu Zhenhong:
Although Vancouver is an internationally renowned city, in the past there was no local team for The Nutcracker.
After I retired from the National Ballet of Canada, I felt that this was a great opportunity to use my art to contribute to society.
This is also a great opportunity and challenge for the ballet academy.
Every year we invite the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra to collaborate with our actors and perform in the largest theater in Vancouver.
More than 200 dancers participated in the rehearsal.
We believe that other excellent dance groups in the community and stars in the ballet world should also participate in cooperation.
I myself have skipped many different choreographed versions of The Nutcracker, and I have seen many versions.
What is unique about our rehearsal of The Nutcracker for Vancouver is that it is a collaboration and brings the Nutcracker of classical ballet to the stage with the highest vision.
The actors have to rehearse for 3 months, and the director has to be innovative.
For example, there is a magician in our dance drama, which cannot be seen in other versions.
File photo of Wu Zhenhong's stage stills.
Photo courtesy Wu Ballet Academy, photo by David Cooper
China News Agency reporter: Now you have funded the establishment of scholarships for young ballet learners. Why?
Wu Zhenhong:
I know that when immigrant families like my parents came to Canada, they inevitably went through a very difficult process, and they only gained later.
But what they taught me is that people must have a kind of love and help others.
Because they themselves are able to succeed only with the help of many people.
My own experience is the same. I have also been cultivated and helped by many people, so I am very grateful.
Now I am blessed with the ability to set up scholarships.
Many people may not have the financial ability to learn dance, but they should also have the opportunity to rely on their talent and hard work to realize their dreams with the help of scholarships.
China News Agency reporter: Among the many roles you have performed on stage, which one do you think is most like yourself?
Wu Zhenhong:
I think that through these characters, I can dig out a part of my own personality, which is very interesting.
When I was playing Juliet, it felt like I really loved so deeply and sacrificed my life for one person; or in "Giselle", so devoted and crazy about love; or in "Sleeping Beauty", in brilliant Really feel like a princess in the palace.
These are my reality and not fantasy on stage.
Which character is most like me?
It's me in every way, but maybe Sleeping Beauty is the most like me.
This ballet is very meaningful to me because I performed the solo in "Sleeping Beauty" when I participated in the competition for the first time in Lausanne, Switzerland.
From an early age my father made me feel like a princess in the family, and this special feeling of love gave me great strength and confidence.
From a professional perspective on the stage, "Sleeping Beauty" has the highest technical and artistic requirements in ballet.
So I have the most understanding of Sleeping Beauty myself.
(over)
Respondent profile:
Wu Zhenhong in his office in Vancouver.
Photo by Yu Ruidong
Wu Zhenhong, a famous Canadian Chinese ballet dancer.
Born in Beijing, he immigrated to Canada with his parents when he was young.
He was the principal dancer of the National Ballet of Canada from 1994 to 2009, and was also the first Chinese principal dancer of the company.
Now Vancouver is mainly engaged in ballet education, dance drama creation and other work.
He has won the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, the Outstanding Immigrant Award, and an honorary doctorate from the University of British Columbia.
In 2019, the Governor-General of Canada awarded the highest honor to Canadian citizens, the "Medal of Canada", in recognition of his achievements in the field of dance and his contributions to cultural undertakings and community services.