Taste of Life Hellas 2018-19

moon goddess, and she threw her whole heart into it.
“I heard the accompanying music many, many times to
understand the changes of the character’s emotions,” says
Wang. She recorded every rehearsal, studying them with
choreographers to perfectly harmonise emotion, movement
and music. “I really put myself into the shoes of Chang’E.”
Wang’s devotion to forging a stronger bond between spirit
and body was transformative, both for her, personally, and for
those watching.
“My performance was completely
different this time,” says Wang. “I
learned how to express my emotions
and how to naturally transmit them
to the audience. When the mind
has a slight reaction, the bones and
muscles have subtle changes, transmitting
the right message.”
This effortless interplay of mind and motion added a dimension
to dance that Wang cherishes now more than ever.
“In the past, whether I was made to be the lead dancer or
play another role, I didn’t care too much. But now I regard
the lead as a precious opportunity. From now on, I try my
best to perform perfectly for every role, every minute, and
every second I get.”
Outside in
In her quest to cultivate her craft by looking inside, Wang
also looks outside herself, finding new sources of inspiration for
growth. Mentoring the next generation of Shen Yun dancers
is “a learning process for me, which enriches my experience.”
Seeing through another’s eyes helps her become more
selfless. “I have to help them according to their individual
needs to solve their problems,” says Wang. And the advice of
one of her teachers often echoes in her mind.
“When I was a teen, one teacher told me that if I wanted to
learn dance, I had to learn to be a good person first, and then
to influence others,” she says. “It’s not just a kind of pressure
but a driving force.”
A newfound adoration for heritage has also become an
integral component in her dancer’s toolbox, allowing her to
better understand the rich complexity of the characters she
portrays on stage.
“When I visited historical sites around the world in the
past, I just browsed them,” says Wang. “Now I learn the historical
background in advance and carefully watch everything,
such as the bricks and tiles and the
construction of the architecture. I
might eat at specialty shops to taste
“I hope I can always dance. the real local flavour.”
I will dance however long
As Wang travels around the
world, sharing centuries of authentic
Chinese heritage, she lives
I can.”
amidst a painful irony — Shen Yun
can’t perform in the birthplace of
this beautiful culture. Since the Cultural Revolution in the
’60s, the communist regime has waged war on China’s sacred
traditions.
This, coupled with missed opportunities in her youth, has
left a pain in her heart. “I lived in the ancient city of Xi’an
when I was young,” says Wang. “Because historic monuments
were all over the city, I didn’t feel they were rare.” Not visiting
the famous Terracotta Army or the Mausoleum of the First
Qin Emperor has left her “feeling so regretful.” So for now,
Wang experiences her homeland’s majestic culture on stage
with the rest of the world, a gift for her as much as them.
“Modern people always look for ways to vent their emotions,
such as happiness and dissatisfaction with life,” says Wang.
“But it’s hard for them to find an adequate way, so they might
do something extreme. As a result, many strange and bad
things happen in society. I’m lucky to find dance to express
myself with my body.”
A joy and authenticity radiate from her, giving new meaning
to the words “legendary character.” She smiles. “I hope I can
always dance. I will dance however long I can.”