Classical dancer set to don new garb with contemporary performance

[Photo Provided to China Daily]

"For the first time, I start thinking about talking about myself through dancing."

About a year ago, she initiated her idea of Every Moment, which was supported by Xu Rui, the vice president of Beijing Dance Academy.

As the director of the dance work, Xu helped Hua to contact Khan, inviting him to choreograph for Hua.

Hua flew to Moscow in July to meet Khan, when he performed his piece, Until the Lions there.

"I was thrilled that he agreed to choreograph for me after watching the videos of my dancing," says Hua, who traveled to London to meet Khan again to do a rehearsal.

Born in Dalian, in Liaoning province, Hua was introduced to Chinese classical dance by her parents, both dance lovers.

In 2004, she came to Beijing to study at the affiliated school of the Beijing Dance Academy and later study Chinese classical dance at the Beijing Dance Academy.

She is a two-time winner of the Tao Li Cup, the top dance honor for young Chinese professional dancers, in 2009 and 2012.

Now, Hua is a member of the dance troupe of the Beijing Dance Academy.

"It's not easy to change my dance language from Chinese classical dance to contemporary dance. I don't want to give up my past experience with Chinese classical dance. I want to combine these two forms of dancing," says Hua.