Tianjiang Cui 2139 Stanford Avenue Saint Paul MN 55105 (651) 698-6775 (651) 962-5078 fax (651) 698-7493 Work Samples Video: Lotus Girl (video, higher bandwidth) Lotus Girl (video, lower bandwidth, 56K) Court Lady's Dance (video, higher bandwidth) Court Lady's Dance (video, lower bandwidth, 56K) To view the work samples, Windows Media Player is required. If you do not have it installed, you can download it for free here: Download Windows Media Player

Minnesota Chinese Dance Theater Chinese dance Chinese dance is a unique form of art. With its rich heritage, graceful movements, and colorful variety, the Chinese dance has impressed people of different ages, groups, and ethnic backgrounds. The Minnesota Chinese Dance Theater is dedicated to promoting traditional Chinese dance. We have a professional dance program and a group of talented dancers to serve the local communities and general public. With quality performance and presentation of Chinese classic dance, ethnic dance, and contemporary dance, we have received excellent comments and reports from our audiences and the news media. Available: Most weekends and some weekdays Space: Most stages with sound and lighting systems are appropriate. Fee: $500 to $2,500; negotiable

Additional Information:
The Minnesota Chinese Dance Theater is dedicated to promoting traditional Chinese dance.

Dance has ancient roots in China. Archaeologists have found images of circle dances on ceramic pots in the province of Qinghai that date back some 6000 years. During the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.E.-220 A.D.), scholars were sent out to record folk dances. This process has continued intermittently up through the present day, which means that China has one of the best-documented dance histories of any region in the world. The earliest formal academies of Chinese dance were founded over a thousand years ago, introducing a tradition of elaborately choreographed court dance forms that is still influential. The court dances of China show evidence of numerous cultural influences. Central Asian, Korean, Tibetan, Persian and Indian elements made their way into these dance forms as a result of centuries of invasions, political alliances, and trade along the Silk Road. Another important influence on Chinese dance is the presence within the current borders of China of over fifty minority nationalities, such as the Mongolians, Hmong, and Uighur peoples. Each minority culture has its own dance traditions, and Chinese dance conservatories typically teach versions of these traditional forms along with historical, court and modern dance styles.

In Chinese American communities throughout the U.S., dance has become an important way to teach young people about their heritage, and to help promote multicultural understanding. Chinese dance groups, often with the guidance of a teacher educated in China, train young dancers in traditional styles, choreograph new pieces, and create exciting and colorful stage productions.

Tianjiang Cui, an award-winning choreographer and instructor trained at the Beijing Dance School, founded the Minnesota Chinese Dance Theater. She and several of her students established the group in 1990 with the goals of keeping these dance traditions alive in the local Chinese community and sharing them with audiences from all ethnic backgrounds. Today, the group operates a professional dance program, training many dance students in Chinese styles. The Minnesota Chinese Dance Theater regularly hosts guest choreographers from China, which helps to enrich the group's work and expand its repertoire. Their performances have received great acclaim from audiences and critics alike. In December of each year, the Theater puts on a large-scale, spectacular show. They also offer smaller performances throughout the year, including Chinese New Year celebrations, appearances at the State Fair, universities, schools, and many local businesses.