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Since 1997 David Wilcox has made nine trips to
China and
Taiwan, taken
professional
dancers and students on five dancing tours from two to five weeks, staged
three full-length
ballets on China's newest 2nd largest classical ballet company, and produced
that company's
first international tour to the United States.
In June 2006, the Long Beach Ballet performing
company was invited to perform in Guangzhou and Mr. Wilcox
produced an entirely new performance called "Ballet American Style" for the
Chinese Audience.
This very successful, ground-breaking tour
culminated with the performance on Saturday, June 24th, which was
accepted enthusiastically by the Chinese. The presentors of the
performance
have invited the
Long Beach Ballet to return for many more performances in the
future.
Below are thumbnails of photos from the tour.
Clicking on a photo will open the photos original size in a
separate window. Click the "back" button to return to this page after
viewing a photo full size.
 Long
Beach Ballet company members at Lotus Mountain, just outside of Guangzhou
City and overlooking the Pearl River. Site of the tallest gold-plated
Buddha in the world. |
 "Swing
It Up!" (choreography: Roberto Almaguer), one of the many ballets
performed in China during the "Ballet American Style" performance, served as
an introduction to American artistic culture for an enthusiastic Chinese
audience. |
 Long
Beach Ballet company members with the dancers of the Guangzhou Ballet.
After watching company class, the Long Beach dancers presented gifts to their
new Chinese friends. |
 The
Guangzhou Ballet graciously allowed the use of their tour bus during the
Long Beach Ballet's stay in China. |
 "Aymara"
(choreography: Helen Coope). |
 A
beautifully serene temple tucked away into the lush foliage of White Cloud
Mountain. |
 The
Chinese audience was introduced to many historic and cultural aspects of the
American way of life, including the days of the cowboys. |
 A
2,000 year old marble quarry has become a quiet sanctuary for rest and
reflection. Several Long Beach Ballet dancers tried their hand at an ancient form of
transportation. |
 Watching
the Guangzhou Ballet in their daily company class was a source of education
and inspiration for the Long Beach Ballet dancers. |
 Long
Beach Ballet dancers were invited as V.I.P. guests to a performance of Giselle
by the Guangzhou Ballet. |
 Rehearsal
at the Guangzhou Government Theater where "Ballet American Style" was presented.
The welcoming banner over the proscenium reads (in Chinese and English):
"Welcome American Los Angeles Long Beach Youth Ballet Regiment for Coming
Performance." |
 "Avalon"
(Choreography: Mark Bush). |
 Transportation
in China takes many forms, including this "motorcycle taxi" that cost about
30 cents. |
 Megan
Baker, former national champion in "baton x-strut" and Long Beach Ballet
company member wowed the audience with a ballet-baton performance to John
Phillip Souza's "Stars and Stripes." |
 The
spirituality of American history was portrayed in "Down in the River"
(choreography: Tyler Nelson). |
 Americans
love to laugh, and the American dancers enjoyed making the Chinese audience
laugh as well: The Grand Ballet (choreography: David Wilcox). |
 American
Indian culture was portrayed with a ballet titled "A'hiinken", translated
"The Ancestors" (choreography: Linda Gonzales). |
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