It is an honor to be featured in the @nytimes article “Princes Can Be Asian Too.” It has been a pleasure to work with @javier.c.hernandez to create this story about not just my own career but the endless possibilities of uplifting AAPI dancers. After seeing the overwhelming response to the article from readers around the world, I feel humbled to see my story resonate within the hearts of so many young dancers. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I have been given to reach the place I am now, and knowing that my work can inspire others energizes me to work even harder.
Sincerely, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your love and support.
📸 @anrizzy
First time returning home with my friends. This is a quest, something I told myself I had to do at least once in my life and I’m doing it with no regrets 🙏🏻
So grateful for every single one of my friends who took the time, believed in this and said yes. You know who you are 🤍
Mira Nadon @mira_nadon
Gilbert Bolden III @gilbertboldeniii
Jovani Furlan @jovani.furlan
David Gabriel @david.gabriel_13
Roman Mejia @roman.julian.mejia
Tiler Peck @tilerpeck
Emma Von Enck @emmavonenck
Kloe Walker @kloelwalker
Indiana Woodward @indiana_woodward
Sara Mearns @saramearns
Peter Walker @peteraltubewalker
Stars of New York, Ballet Gala
Chun Wai Chan and Friends
Director: Chun Wai Chan
Produced by: Chunner Studio @chunnerstudio & Yang Yang @luzyanglin
Cinematography: Peter Walker @kw_creative
Music: Victor Osadchev @victorosadchev
Edited by: Peter Walker & Ballet World Connected Marketing @balletworldconnected
Hangzhou West Lake University 7.15
Shanghai Grand Theater 7.17 & 7.18
Huizhou Culture and Art Center 7.21
Shenzhen Long Gang International Art Center 7.23 & 7.24
Special thanks to New York City Ballet and all our generous sponsors 🤍
IT’S HAPPENING!! Stars of New York Ballet Gala — Chun Wai Chan & Friends is coming HOME! This one is personal. My family, my people, my hometown, y’all finally get to see me do what I love. Don’t miss it, all the details are in the poster! ✨
Tickets (for Huizhou, Guangdong) are on sale now!
This summer, from July 14–24, I’ll be bringing some of my closest friends and artists from New York City Ballet back to China for a tour that feels bigger than just performances.
As the first Chinese principal dancer in the company’s history, I’ve started to realize this journey is becoming part of my mission, building a bridge between cultures through dance, sharing the beauty, discipline, and humanity that ballet has given me.
We’ll be bringing works by George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, Justin Peck, Tiler Peck, and also my own creation, Butterfly Lovers, which I first created three years ago at Lincoln Center back in 2023.
The older I get, the more I understand it’s never only about steps, turns, or applause. It’s about connection. It’s about bringing people together in a world that can sometimes feel divided and loud. Art reminds us to feel again. Dance reminds us we are human.
I can’t wait to share this journey with audiences across China this summer ❤️
📸 @feelslikedan
FLASH FOOTAGE // Principal Dancer Chun Wai Chan and Corps de Ballet Member Ruby Lister made a stirring debut in Edwaard Liang’s Distant Cries.
Catch this ballet four more times on our Contemporary Choreography III program through May 20—head to the #linkinbio to reserve tickets.
@chunner@ruby_list@edwaardliang #edwaardliang #newyorkcityballet #nycballet #ballet
