Dancer, choreographer, writer, producer, and educator Qi Zhang was born into artist influence. Her mother an actor, her father a musician, and grandfather a tradition watercolorist provided Qi an environment of profound artist stimulus and expression as a child. A lasting impression that would inevitably inspire and guide Qi as she embraced her own artist expression and development.
Qi began her artist career at age 11, studying dance in Liaoning, China. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance and Education from the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy in China, studying both classical Chinese and modern dance. Upon graduation Qi was chosen as principal dancer for the Beijing Youth Dance Troupe. Qi remained with this professional troupe for 4 years as featured dancer in many international productions including Japan, Italy, Germany, and North America South Korea among others.
As a principal dancer, she performed many major pieces including "The Beauty Fish," "Butterfly Lovers," "Dream of the Red Chamber," "Yellow River," Puccini's "Turandot," etc.
Qi�s professional abilities and artist achievement have awarded her numerous honors including the "Wenhua Award" for best performance, presented by the Chinese National Government and the Chinese Minister of Culture, it is among the highest award presented a professional artist throughout China. "Silver Medal Award" for Chinese classical solo performance during National Dance Competition held in China every 3 years. "The Best Artist of the year," presented by the Minister of Culture, Henan Provience, China.
Most recently Qi has been invited to present a private solo performance for the Queen of Thailand. Selected by the Consulate General of The People's Republic of China and Thailand, Qi was the only artist invited to perform during the evening�s ceremony serving as an artist representative for The People�s Republic of China.
Recently featured at "Dance on Camera West," an international film festival dedicated to the world of dance, Qi�s abilities and experience as both producer and choreographer are evident. Successfully creating many solo, ensemble and multi-media productions including "Annealing China," "Again," "Reflection," "6 Years," and the multi-media production "Beyond Time."
Qi�s exceptional talents extend beyond the dance world collaborating with celebrated world renowned artist such as, conductor for the New York Philamonic Zubin Mehta, film director Zhang Yimo, film and stage composer William Goldstien, jazz legend Wadda Leo Smith, MacArthur "Genius" Fellow award composer Bright Shen, Academy award winning director Alan Miller and choreographer Cristyne Lawson.
Qi�s solo dance performance in Puccini's Italian opera "Turandot", directed by Zhang Yimo, under the musical direction of Zubin Mehta, with performances in Florence, Italy, was recently featured in a documentary by two time Academy award winning director Allan Miller, appearing throughout North America on NBC, HBO, and PBS.
Ms. Zhang most recently was awarded lifetime honorary professor of Sias International University in Henan Province in China. Qi currently serves as Artist Consultant for California Institute of the Arts, Artistic Director of Henan Province in China, and Artistic Director for the Center of Asian Performing Art in Thousand Oaks, California. Qi has provided masterclass, workshops and lectures at California Institute of the Arts, Beijing Dance Academy, Shanghai Theater University, Liaoning Ballet of China, Beijing Opera House, Sias International University, Pasadena Dance Theatre, and the Shin Dance Academy.
Ms. Zhang earned her Masters of Fine Arts degree in Dance, Choreography and Production, graduating as scholarship recipient and top of her class from the School of Dance at California Institute of the Arts.
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