Queensland Ballet’s Artistic Director Li Cunxin was plucked from poverty at the age of 11 when he was selected by Madame Mao’s cultural advisors to attend the Beijing Dance Academy. He sensationally defected to the US after going to Houston Ballet as an exchange student in a story made famous through this autobiography Mao’s Last Dancer which was adapted as a feature film in 2009. Earlier this year Li received an Order of Australia (OA) for his service to the performing arts, particularly ballet. Noosa Today caught up with Li Cunxin on the eve of the Noosa Alive Festival which will feature an exclusive Queensland Ballet performance.
It’s been 20 years since you retired from dancing how do you think the industry has changed, if at all, in that time?
The dance industry has become more dynamic in the past 20 years. Our audiences have matured and diversified and demand a very high standard and variety of programming. The standard of the dancers is ever rising, and choreography is constantly evolving. Despite ballet being a heritage artform, it has certainly not stayed still and is ever-changing.
What does it take today to be an exceptional dancer?
Intuitive musicality, exceptional artistry, excellent technique and great work ethic.
What are the greatest challenges for a dancer to continue to perform at their best?
Some of the greatest challenges dancers face are: overcoming injuries with positivity, developing resilience and tenacity, maintaining an open mindset and focusing on continual education and improving.
Earlier this year when you received an Order of Australia you said in an interview that ballet was a way out of a cruel, tough life your parents lived in China. Some people would think ballet was a very demanding life. How do the two worlds compare?
Even though ballet is a demanding, difficult and challenging art form, it is also beautiful, elegant, colourful, energetic and life-transforming. Whereas the terrible and harsh childhood life I endured in China was all about survival, survival, survival.
Have you been able to fulfil your ambition to save your family?
Yes. I have been fortunate enough to be able to make a transformative difference for my family in China. My family’s standard of living has increased immeasurably since our childhood and it has been such a pleasure to have played some part in that.
How was the connection between Queensland Ballet and the Noosa Alive festival formed?
Ian Mackellar first reached out to me soon after I arrived in Brisbane to take up the Artistic Directorship of Queensland Ballet in 2013. Our wonderful relationship started in the 2014 Noosa Alive Festival (it was called Noosa Long Weekend Festival then). We have enjoyed being part of the Festival ever since. We love the opportunity to share our beautiful art form with new audiences who might not otherwise be exposed to ballet.
What has it meant for Queensland Ballet to perform at the Noosa festival?
It’s a wonderful opportunity for Queensland Ballet’s Company dancers and Jette Parker Young Artists to perform to an appreciative and enthusiastic audience in Noosa. We always walk away feeling quite special and we greatly value our partnership with the Festival. We’re always proud to sit alongside other local, national and international performers in the Noosa Alive! program.
What made you select the performances you have for the Noosa festival?
We always aspire to bring a program of beautiful, vibrant and memorable classical and contemporary works. We include works that not only give audiences a taste of what Queensland Ballet offers across a typical annual season and also work that showcases the breadth of talent in our company, our versatility and remarkable technique. I always enjoy my Q&A sessions with the audience members as it gives me an opportunity to connect and share my love of ballet with more people.
What do the dancers like about coming to Noosa to perform at Noosa Alive?
Noosa Alive Festival is a favourite of our dancers and they’re always delighted to be cast to perform. Many of our dancers are from other countries so the chance to not only perform in Noosa but also enjoy the beach and gorgeous natural beauty of the coast is a unique opportunity. All our dancers enjoy the opportunity to take ballet on the road, whether it’s for our annual regional tour of Queensland or for special festivals like this. It allows them to perform for different audiences who are, more often than not, very appreciative as it’s not something they have access to all the time.
