Legacy in Motion: Chan Hon Goh Presents 'Ballade' at the Kennedy Center
Written by Fête Chinoise Editorial Team
Image Credits: Teresa Wood
Chan hon goh during curtain speech on June 21. Photo by Teresa Wood.
On June 21st, Chan Hon Goh, esteemed Principal Dancer and Director of Goh Ballet Canada, presented a heartfelt rendition of 'Ballade' by her late uncle, Choo San Goh, at the Kennedy Center alongside dancers from the National Ballet of China.
'Ballade', the iconic dance piece originally crafted for five young dancers including Chan Hon Goh herself, is a journey of self-discovery. It explores the connections between dancers, unveiling the depths of their identities through Choo San Goh's visionary choreography. This performance marks a historic moment as 'Ballade' has not been staged by any other company in the past three decades.
“This piece is very dear to me, as it was created specifically for me by my late uncle. It’s a privilege to share it for the first time with audiences in Washington, D.C. and beyond.”
Goh Ballet with National Ballet of China dancers Xinyue ZHAO, Pengxiang SUN in Choo San Goh's Ballade. Photo by Teresa Wood.
Choo San Goh embarked on a pioneering journey in 1970 when he took a leap of faith and moved to Europe to join the Dutch National Ballet. This marked the beginning of a remarkable career that saw him become a resident choreographer for the newly established Washington Ballet in 1976, where he spent a decade and brought the company to international acclaim. Goh's talent was widely acknowledged, and his choreographic works, deeply influenced by his Asian heritage, resonated across the global ballet landscape. He made significant contributions to renowned institutions such as the American Ballet Theatre, Paris Opera, Royal Danish Ballet, Boston Ballet, among others.
Chan herself embodies a legacy of excellence and mentorship. As the first Chinese Canadian Principal Dancer with the National Ballet of Canada and now a prominent figure in the ballet community, Goh's career spans over two decades of artistic achievement. Beyond her performances, she has nurtured young dancers through Goh Ballet Canada and championed the arts through various cultural initiatives.
Goh Ballet with National Ballet of China dancers Xinyue ZHAO, Pengxiang SUN in Choo San Goh's Ballade.
While Chan primarily engages with the National Ballet of Canada professionally, the National Ballet of China holds a special significance for her as it is where her parents cultivated their careers and where she first encountered classical ballet.
“To be able to bring to these dancers in China, the artistic nuances and stylised choreographic artistry to the North American stage is a special opportunity.”
It was a deeply emotional moment witnessing Chan's achievements, from her teenage performance of ‘Ballade’ to now continuing its legacy.
Read our past interview with Chan to learn more about her story.
Chan hon goh during curtain speech on June 21. Photo by Teresa Wood.
“The passing of the torch from generation to generation comes from the belief that this living art form is dependant on mentorship.”
Explore a curated selection of arts and cultural events we've handpicked for you to experience this June. From pottery workshops to immersive installations, there's something for everyone. Plus, don't miss the traditional Dragon Boat Festival (Duan Wu Festival 端午節) coming up next week, offering a rich celebration of Chinese culture and heritage!