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[[File:After the show.jpg|thumb|Yuan Yuan Tan after diving into Lilacs.]]
[[File:After the show.jpg|thumb|Yuan Yuan Tan after diving into Lilacs.]]


'''Yuan Yuan Tan''' ({{zh|s=|t=|p=|c=谭元元}}; born 1977, [[Shanghai]], [[China]]) is a Chinese [[ballerina]]. She is the [[prima ballerina]] of [[San Francisco Ballet]] where she holds the rank of [[principal dancer]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/weekend/2017-07/29/content_30289177.htm|title=Raising the barre[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn|last=李齐|website=www.chinadaily.com.cn|access-date=2017-10-04}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/weekend/2017-07/29/content_30289177_2.htm|title=Raising the barre[2]- Chinadaily.com.cn|last=李齐|website=www.chinadaily.com.cn|access-date=2017-10-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/weekend/2017-07/29/content_30289177_3.htm|title=Raising the barre[3]- Chinadaily.com.cn|last=李齐|website=www.chinadaily.com.cn|access-date=2017-10-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/the-little-mermaid-from-san-francisco-ballet-about-the-program/1215/|title=The Little Mermaid from San Francisco Ballet {{!}} About the Program {{!}} Great Performances {{!}} PBS|date=2011-11-30|work=Great Performances|access-date=2017-10-03|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfballet.org/artists/dancers/yuan-yuan_tan|title=San Francisco Ballet - Dancer|website=www.sfballet.org|access-date=2017-10-03}}</ref>
'''Yuan Yuan Tan''' ({{zh|s=|t=|p=|c=谭元元}}; born 1977, [[Shanghai]], [[China]]) is a Chinese [[ballet dancer]]. She is the [[prima ballerina]] of [[San Francisco Ballet]] where she holds the rank of [[principal dancer]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/weekend/2017-07/29/content_30289177.htm|title=Raising the barre[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn|last=李齐|website=www.chinadaily.com.cn|access-date=2017-10-04}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/weekend/2017-07/29/content_30289177_2.htm|title=Raising the barre[2]- Chinadaily.com.cn|last=李齐|website=www.chinadaily.com.cn|access-date=2017-10-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/weekend/2017-07/29/content_30289177_3.htm|title=Raising the barre[3]- Chinadaily.com.cn|last=李齐|website=www.chinadaily.com.cn|access-date=2017-10-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/the-little-mermaid-from-san-francisco-ballet-about-the-program/1215/|title=The Little Mermaid from San Francisco Ballet {{!}} About the Program {{!}} Great Performances {{!}} PBS|date=2011-11-30|work=Great Performances|access-date=2017-10-03|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfballet.org/artists/dancers/yuan-yuan_tan|title=San Francisco Ballet - Dancer|website=www.sfballet.org|access-date=2017-10-03}}</ref>


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Yuan Yuan Tan was born in Shanghai, China and raised in the city’s traditional Hongkou District. She first learned to dance in pre-school and took an interest in ballet after watching an old broadcast of the legendary ballerina Galina Ulanova performing Swan Lake. She maintained an interest in dance throughout her primary education, where she excelled academically.
Yuan Yuan Tan was born in Shanghai, China and raised in the city’s traditional [[Hongkou District]]. She first learned to dance in pre-school and took an interest in ballet after watching an old broadcast of the legendary ballerina [[Galina Ulanova]] performing [[Swan Lake]]. She maintained an interest in dance throughout her primary education, where she excelled academically.<ref name=":0" />


At the age of 10, she was scouted by the Shanghai Ballet School and invited to apply to their training program. She was one of 24 candidates chosen from thousands of potentials in her age group from across China. Tan’s father, an engineer, adamantly opposed the idea, instead wishing for her to continue in academia and pursue a medical or law degree. Her mother, who once harbored ambitions of becoming a dancer herself, was supportive of Tan's desire to enroll in the ballet school. The parents’ impasse was resolved by flipping a 5-fen coin. Tan’s mother won the toss and her father capitulated.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Citation|last=Coolcat|title=Interview with Tan Yuanyuan|date=2013-04-07|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-MjS4FAuZ4|accessdate=2017-10-04}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Citation|last=TEDx Talks|title=Balance - My Life as a Ballerina {{!}} Yuan Yuan Tan 谭元元 {{!}} TEDxShanghai|date=2016-12-06|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmeILhvYdaE|accessdate=2017-10-04}}</ref><ref name="CNN_interview">[http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/06/25/ta.yuanyaun/index.html "The Perfect Poise of Tan Yuan Yuan"] CNN, June 25, 2008.</ref>
At the age of 10, she was scouted by the Shanghai Ballet School and invited to apply to their training program. She was one of 24 candidates chosen from thousands of potentials in her age group from across China. Tan’s father, an engineer, adamantly opposed the idea, instead wishing for her to continue in academia and pursue a medical or law degree. Her mother, who once harbored ambitions of becoming a dancer herself, was supportive of Tan's desire to enroll in the ballet school. The parents’ impasse was resolved by flipping a [[Renminbi|5-fen coin]]. Tan’s mother won the toss and her father capitulated.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dancemagazine.com/haunting-beauty-2306898523.html|title=Haunting Beauty|date=2009-11-24|work=dancemagazine|access-date=2017-10-04|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Citation|last=Coolcat|title=Interview with Tan Yuanyuan|date=2013-04-07|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-MjS4FAuZ4|accessdate=2017-10-04}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Citation|last=TEDx Talks|title=Balance - My Life as a Ballerina {{!}} Yuan Yuan Tan 谭元元 {{!}} TEDxShanghai|date=2016-12-06|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmeILhvYdaE|accessdate=2017-10-04}}</ref><ref name="CNN_interview">[http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/06/25/ta.yuanyaun/index.html "The Perfect Poise of Tan Yuan Yuan"] CNN, June 25, 2008.</ref>


== Ballet Career ==
== Ballet Career ==


=== Training and competitions ===
=== Training and competitions ===
Yuan Yuan Tan’s formal dance training began at the Shanghai Ballet School at the age of 11. Because of her parents earlier indecisiveness, she was enrolled one year later than the other students in her class and was at a disadvantage. The rigorous training regime left her depressed and homesick until at the age of 13, a new teacher arrived that inspired her to excel. At 14, she began competing at international ballet competitions representing the People’s Republic of China.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
Yuan Yuan Tan’s formal dance training began at the Shanghai Ballet School at the age of 11. Because of her parents earlier indecisiveness, she was enrolled one year later than the other students in her class and was at a disadvantage. The rigorous training regime left her depressed and homesick until at the age of 13, a new teacher arrived that inspired her to excel. At 14, she began competing at international ballet competitions representing the [[China|People’s Republic of China]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />


Tan’s first major breakthrough came in 1992 at the 5th International Ballet Competition in Paris, France. Galina Ulanova, Tan’s childhood idol was serving as a judge, and awarded her segment with a perfect score. Tan went on the win the gold medal of the junior female division. In 1993, Tan won the gold medal of the junior female classical division at the 1st Japan International Ballet and Modern Dance Competition in Nagoya, Japan. She also received that year's Nijinsky Award, named after Russian ballet legend Vaslav Nijinsky, the first time the prize was granted to a female dancer.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
Tan’s first major breakthrough came in 1992 at the 5th International Ballet Competition in Paris, France. Galina Ulanova, Tan’s childhood idol was serving as a judge, and awarded her segment with a perfect score. Tan went on the win the gold medal of the junior female division. In 1993, Tan won the gold medal of the junior female classical division at the 1st Japan International Ballet and Modern Dance Competition in Nagoya, Japan. She also received that year's Nijinsky Award, named after Russian ballet legend [[Vaslav Nijinsky]], the first time the prize was granted to a female dancer.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />


In 1994, Tan attended the John Cranko School in Stuttgart, Germany on a full scholarship, where she continued her training with the Vaganova method. 6 months into her two-year scholarship, Helgi Tomasson, Artistic director of the San Francisco Ballet, the oldest ballet company in the United States, invited Tan to dance as a guest of the company, having spotted her at the Paris competition in 1993.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
In 1994, Tan attended the [[John Cranko School]] in [[Stuttgart|Stuttgart, Germany]] on a full scholarship, where she continued her training with the [[Vaganova method]]. 6 months into her two-year scholarship, [[Helgi Tómasson|Helgi Tomasson]], Artistic director of the San Francisco Ballet, the oldest ballet company in the United States, invited Tan to dance as a guest of the company, having spotted her at the Paris competition in 1993.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />


=== San Francisco Ballet ===
=== San Francisco Ballet ===

Revision as of 07:42, 4 October 2017

Template:Chinese name

Yuan Yuan Tan
Born
谭元元

Shanghai, China
Alma materShanghai Ballet School
John Cranko School
Occupation(s)Ballet dancer, choreographer, brand ambassador
Years active1995–present
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
TitlePrima ballerina, Principal, San Francisco Ballet
Guest Principal, Hong Kong Ballet
Yuan Yuan Tan poster in front of San Francisco City Hall.
Yuan Yuan Tan after diving into Lilacs.

Yuan Yuan Tan (Chinese: 谭元元; born 1977, Shanghai, China) is a Chinese ballet dancer. She is the prima ballerina of San Francisco Ballet where she holds the rank of principal dancer.[1][2][3][4][5]

Early life

Yuan Yuan Tan was born in Shanghai, China and raised in the city’s traditional Hongkou District. She first learned to dance in pre-school and took an interest in ballet after watching an old broadcast of the legendary ballerina Galina Ulanova performing Swan Lake. She maintained an interest in dance throughout her primary education, where she excelled academically.[1]

At the age of 10, she was scouted by the Shanghai Ballet School and invited to apply to their training program. She was one of 24 candidates chosen from thousands of potentials in her age group from across China. Tan’s father, an engineer, adamantly opposed the idea, instead wishing for her to continue in academia and pursue a medical or law degree. Her mother, who once harbored ambitions of becoming a dancer herself, was supportive of Tan's desire to enroll in the ballet school. The parents’ impasse was resolved by flipping a 5-fen coin. Tan’s mother won the toss and her father capitulated.[1][6][7][8][9]

Ballet Career

Training and competitions

Yuan Yuan Tan’s formal dance training began at the Shanghai Ballet School at the age of 11. Because of her parents earlier indecisiveness, she was enrolled one year later than the other students in her class and was at a disadvantage. The rigorous training regime left her depressed and homesick until at the age of 13, a new teacher arrived that inspired her to excel. At 14, she began competing at international ballet competitions representing the People’s Republic of China.[2][7][8]

Tan’s first major breakthrough came in 1992 at the 5th International Ballet Competition in Paris, France. Galina Ulanova, Tan’s childhood idol was serving as a judge, and awarded her segment with a perfect score. Tan went on the win the gold medal of the junior female division. In 1993, Tan won the gold medal of the junior female classical division at the 1st Japan International Ballet and Modern Dance Competition in Nagoya, Japan. She also received that year's Nijinsky Award, named after Russian ballet legend Vaslav Nijinsky, the first time the prize was granted to a female dancer.[2][7][8]

In 1994, Tan attended the John Cranko School in Stuttgart, Germany on a full scholarship, where she continued her training with the Vaganova method. 6 months into her two-year scholarship, Helgi Tomasson, Artistic director of the San Francisco Ballet, the oldest ballet company in the United States, invited Tan to dance as a guest of the company, having spotted her at the Paris competition in 1993.[2][7][8]

San Francisco Ballet

At age 18, she became a soloist dancer with the San Francisco Ballet Company. Two years later, in 1997, at age 20, she was promoted to principal dancer, attaining the highest position for a ballet dancer, an unusually rapid upward path.[10] She was at that time the youngest principal dancer ever in the history of the San Francisco Ballet company. Today, she is a marquee name for the company, while San Francisco Ballet Company itself is widely considered to be among the best in the world and in the words of choreographer Mark Morris, the "best company in North America".[11]

She has danced lead female roles in Helgi Tomasson's Giselle, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, Nutcracker, Tomasson/Possokhov's Don Quixote, Morris' Sylvia, and Lubovitch's Othello. She created roles in Tomasson's The Fifth Season, Chi-Lin, Silver Ladders, and 7 for Eight, Possokhov's Magrittomania, Damned, and Study in Motion, Wheeldon's Continuum and Quaternary, and Welch's Tu Tu. Her repertory includes Ashton's Thaïs Pas de Deux, Balanchine's Symphony in C, Theme and Variations, Concerto Barocco, Prodigal Son, and Apollo, Duato's Without Words, Robbins' In the Night, Dances at a Gathering, and Dybbuk, and Makarova's Paquita.[12]

She has been featured in Vogue, Esquire, ELLE, Numéro, and Tatler. Currently she is also a brand ambassador for Rosewood Hotels, Van Cleef & Arpels and Rolex.[13][14]

References

  1. ^ a b c 李齐. "Raising the barre[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
  2. ^ a b c d 李齐. "Raising the barre[2]- Chinadaily.com.cn". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
  3. ^ 李齐. "Raising the barre[3]- Chinadaily.com.cn". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
  4. ^ "The Little Mermaid from San Francisco Ballet | About the Program | Great Performances | PBS". Great Performances. 2011-11-30. Retrieved 2017-10-03.
  5. ^ "San Francisco Ballet - Dancer". www.sfballet.org. Retrieved 2017-10-03.
  6. ^ "Haunting Beauty". dancemagazine. 2009-11-24. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
  7. ^ a b c d Coolcat (2013-04-07), Interview with Tan Yuanyuan, retrieved 2017-10-04
  8. ^ a b c d TEDx Talks (2016-12-06), Balance - My Life as a Ballerina | Yuan Yuan Tan 谭元元 | TEDxShanghai, retrieved 2017-10-04
  9. ^ "The Perfect Poise of Tan Yuan Yuan" CNN, June 25, 2008.
  10. ^ "SF Ballet" SF Ballet Dancer Page
  11. ^ "San Francisco Chronicle Jan 08, 2005" SF Chronicle
  12. ^ "Yuanyuan Tan" HK Ballet Guest Principal Dancer
  13. ^ "A Pirouette Through China's Capital With Tan Yuan Yuan". Rosewood Hotels and Resorts. 2017-05-01. Retrieved 2017-10-03.
  14. ^ Sulcas, Roslyn; Cooper, Michael (2013-11-20). "Ballet Dancers as Brands". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-10-03.
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