LOCAL Houston | The City Guide March 2018 | Page 34

ART
ATHLETES ON STAGE
HOUSTON BALLET COMES ON STRONG
Sure, ballet is inspiring to watch, with its lithe, limber performers telling stories using only their bodies, but
do you know how much athletic strength it takes to pull off those jumps, twirls and grand jetés?
The Houston Ballet company features 59 stellar dancers whose athleticism is as astonishing to watch as
their artistry during performances. During a typical day in the studio, a dancer can jump up to four feet in
the air, and male dancers can lift up to 1.5 tons while performing with a partner. Even more impressive:
The amount of energy needed for a principal role in ballet is equivalent to running more than 15 miles!
One such artist/athlete is CHUN WAI CHAN, pictured here, who was recently promoted to Principal
dancer at Houston Ballet. His well-deserved promotion concluded Houston Ballet’s performances at the
Smart Financial Centre during the company’s Hometown Tour of Stanton Welch’s The Nutcracker, presented
by Houston Methodist. Chan was born in Guang-Dong, China, and received his professional dance training
at Guangzhou Art School and Houston Ballet Academy. He joined the Houston Ballet in 2012 as part of the
corps de ballet.
Catch the Ballet next at their performance of “Rock, Roll & Tutus” from March 1–4 at the George R.
Brown Convention Center’s Resilience Theatre. For more information, visit www.houstonballet.org.
CHUN WAI CHAN
Principal dancer at Houston Ballet
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museum district
12.20.2017
3:27pm
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exhibits
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gish at the movies
Photography by Claire Mcadams
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L O C A L | 3 . 2018
3 . 2018 | L O C A L
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