Photo by Jared Martin
Yu Wei Dance Collection
Yu Wei - Amazing Connections To Audience
Donald K. Atwood, World Dance Reviews 2011
"Chinese, now Philadelphian American, dancer Yu Wei's performances are made up of lovely dances with movements inspired by places, people, emotions, and nature. Inspirations include an opening lotus blossom, a mountain, flowing water, the moon, smoke, rainbows, happiness and her own life. So often, despite the beauty of such dances, audiences do not relate to the movement metaphors in them. Not with Yu Wei. For every dance she vastly extends any concept of program notes with pre-dance videos that establish place and time, and set a context within which her movement choices are clear. Does that sound like a series of tutorials? It is not. Rather it is a series of lessons about how dance can embody so many things.
Yu Wei is a dancer trained in "classical" chinese dance. With those forms she makes sure every nuance of what she does is seen, and the result is uncluttered and elegant dances that speak to her audiences in ways evident from viewers rapt attention and silence. Audiences from age six to 96.
January 22 and 23 Yu Wei presented concerts of nine dances - including a prologue and epilogue to almost sold out houses at the Lakewood, Colorado Cultural Center. She embodied flowing water in long fingers and delicate hands, as her body moved along and into a stream. She became smoke, embodied happiness, and the grief of a woman whose husband is long away at war. She escaped - at least momentarily - the bondage of imposed nun-hood per result of refusing a suitor, became a rainbow, and gave her audience deep personal looks into her life and who she is. All of that was presented in ways that were marked by both stunning simplicity and a presence and technique that made that breathtaking" Donald K. Atwood's Resume
Yu Wei's program of Chinese dance enchants
Donald Rosenberg, The Plain Dealer 2010
"Dance is only one aspect of a performance by Yu Wei, whose Chinese Dance Collection also includes film, narration, lavish costumes and serene and soaring music by Chinese composers and Richard Wagner. The program, which Yu Wei presented Friday at Cuyahoga Community College’s Metropolitan Campus Mainstage Theatre, is at once autobiography and Chinese cultural history. Adding up all of these elements, you could view the event as a massive exercise in self-indulgence. But it is nothing of the sort. Instead, Yu Wei’s solo performance is an enchanting excursion to another world glimpsed through the eyes, ears and body of a dancer who inhabits her art. As she lies on her back and undulates legs, arms and fingers, you actually see a lotus coming to life.
In other sequences, Yu Wei explores more facets of nature or pays tribute to the homeland she left in 2000 to expand her artistic horizons in the United States. Every moment of her performance reveals a dancer of delicate beauty, control and imagination..."
to read the entire review. Click here
Press Quotes
"Yu Wei took everyone’s breath away with LOTUS - Burst of Pure Dream. Lying on her back with her head toward the audience, she depicted how a lotus unfolds. It was pire beauty.".
Merilyn Jackson, Philadelphia Inquire
"There are strains of ballet, folk and modern dance throughout her program that she is adept at them all. Yu Wei's dancing is all fluidity and grace. with disproportionately long hands that she flutter like a brid." Anneohn-Hal, The Philadelphia Inquier
"Yu Wei's graceful beauty... makes her a treasure both in China and the world."
The Dayton Daily News
"The lovely Yu Wei danced on the Chinese National Celebration day like no one before her. Her unique dance creations brought a restive audience to complete attention."
Philadelphia China America News
"The Inaugural Chinese New Year Global Gala at the Manhattan Center was a world class event filled with famous performers from around the world. The audience was spellbound by the pageantry of the beautifully produced show. But when Yu Wei's Chinese dance 'Happiness' appeared on the stage it made the strongest impression of all. Such a beautiful dancer. Such radiance, enthusiasm and truth. Her dancing captivated the audience with its brilliance. The solo performance did not rely on a big band or a huge stage production; just a wonderfully talented dancer filling the vast stage and performing in a pure Chinese folk dance style which depended only on the artistry of the dance itself..." Eai-Shu Xia The Epoch Times
At Friends School Abington PA
"Thanks, again, for an absolutely wonderful pair of performances. Your dance is stunning and your story genuinely warm and personal. I am so pleased to have been able to bring you to Lakewood and look forward to inviting you back in the future."
-Susan Martin, Cultural Center Administrator Lakewood Cultural Center, CO 1/23/2011
"Thank you so much for a memorable and excellent performance during the Festival of the Arts. As I told you, I believe your performance was absolutely near the top of all out events over the years. It was so enlightening as well as beautifully “danced.” We believe this festival and theme was the best yet. Thank you for helping make it so. The students who were in the morning lec/demo were very thrilled and well behaved! And the evening audience will talk about it for months!"
-Mary Lawson, King Community Center, Southwest Virginia Community College, Richlands, VA 5/6/2010
"Our audience really enjoyed your performance. It was very rewarding for me to have a sell out on our opener. Also, I know that the school children enjoyed the afternoon educational programs.
Thanks again for your wonderful performances. We enjoyed presenting you!"
-Skip Case, Executive Director, Garrett Lakes Arts Festival, McHenry, MD 4/27/2010
"Our school wanted to thank you and Yu Wei. The performance was wonderful! Our school so enjoyed her dancing and stories! Not only was it beautiful and informative, she had a lovely and funny personality, which kept the children's attention. We just read a story about China, so this really helped the students relate to the culture of China. I'm sure Yu Wei must miss her family tremendously, so please let her know how much we appreciate her touching the hearts and minds of the children of the United States! She has a special gift, we hope she will continue to share that for many years!"
-Hartford Sylvia Encinas Second Grade Teachers and Students, Chandler, AZ 4/16/2010
"Thank you so much for your beautiful performances. It was an unforgettable evening for our staff and community, and the schoolchildren absolutely loved you! Several of them came back for the evening performance and brought their families..."
-Sarah N. Schallern, Director Performing Arts, Alden Theatre McLean, VA 4/14/2010
"Your inspired program of Chinese dance was an exciting cultural eye-opener for our students and our staff as well. The fascinated and awe-struck faces of the children were ample testament to the fact that beauty and grace transcend cultural boundaries and speak directly to the heart of the viewer. The music, although different from the usually heard fare, was enchanting. The students loved seeing the unfamiliar instruments and hearing the strange and wonderful sounds. Your costumes were most intriguing to the audience. They added to the magic and made you appear to float over the stage. We thank you for this authentic and inspiring performance. The land of your birth and artistic training must be justifiably proud of its lovely daughter."
-Susan Frost, Overbrook Educational Center, Philadelphia, PA 11/2003
“Yu Wei came to Adams County, Pennsylvania for a 6 day program that included 10 assemblies for elementary school children and a public performance. I can’t say enough about how wonderfully she danced. All of the schools were very happy with her program and it proved that dance is a universal language. The students understood Wei’s stories-in-dance taken from the different cultures in china, that dance comes from life, and that dance can be a joyful expression of the human spirit. Dance is very difficult to present in our conservative community but this program was the exception… Happily, I recommend Yu Wei and her dance collection as an opportunity not to miss.”
-Judy Marti AIE Coordinator, Founder Adams County Arts Council 10/15/2009
"We at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire would like to take a moment to thank you for being a part of our 2008-2009 Artists Series. We want ot first off by saying thank-you for a stunning preformance. Your beautiful choreography and talent mede the sold-out performance unforgettable. Thank-you, also, for being so generous with your time while on our campus. Very seldom do we ask an artist to do four activities (and a full-performance) in only three days, but your willingness to meet and work with so many people was impressive. We truly appreciated your ability to interact with all age groups, from senior citizens to college studens. Everyone you worked with was touched by your love for dance and Chinese culture. Your artistry is second to none, and we enjoyed working with you very much."
-Jennifer Brockpahler, and Amanda Seveland, Arts / Events Coordinator. and Assistant Coordinator. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire WI 10/28/2008
"Yu Wei is a brilliant solo dancer from China. During six performances of her works at the recent Longwood Gardens Chrysanthemum Festival, she held capacity audiences spellbound with the beauty of her compositions and her performance. This is a very special artist and we will certainly engage her again. Your performances, Yu Wei, truly were highlights of the festival, and many of us were charmed over and over again by your dancing. Your beautifully crafted pieces and the performances of them are so moving to all that watch. Each number is so carefully put together, from the inspiration to the music to the costumes to the movements themselves. You really feel that each dance is a complete performance in itself. Your program was a perfect component of our Asian influenced festival, showing modern dance of China, based on traditions of the past. And, the audiences loved it. We loved having you here and hope that you will be able to return many times to the Gardens to perform."
-Priscilla J. Johnson, Longwood Gardens PA 11/13/02
"Over my 31 years in the business, I have seen many, many educational and entertaining programs. You have something very unique; a program that is at once entertaining and very educational. We are a people who know actually very little about your country. But, your beautiful dancing, along with the insightful film work that Jared has done to accompany your dance, makes for a program that is just exquisite. I would be most pleased to speak on your behalf to other presenters who may be interested in having them visit their community with your residency."
-J. Chris Moore, Executive Director Springfield Arts Council Springfield, Ohio 1/30/2006
"I have never seen a student body so involved in a program of this type. The students were in awe of Wei, were fascinated with her costumes and props, were only disruptive when she was lying on the floor and all couldn't see her. Many, many students asked questions and many more wanted to ask, but time was up. Following the program, students huddled around Wei, hugging her and talking to her. She really connected with these children."
-Sonya Ryhal, Airts in the Classroom Supervisor, Springfield Arts Council, Ohio 1/25/2006
"Approximately 1,300 people attended the two-day project at Castleton. Since the Yu Wei Chinese Dance Collection was a multi-media performance with a film projection and solo pieces, each dance was readily accessible to the audience. In addition, the film showed the audience what inspires an artist and what leads to the creation of a dance piece. Yu Wei’s breath-taking performance elaborated with stunning views of China on screen, helped the audience, not only understand her dance pieces, but also what it takes to be an artist. It sent a strong message of finding and pursuing a passion in life.. I highly recommend the Yu Wei Chinese Collection at your venue"
-Mariko Y. Hancock, Director of Cultural Programming Castleton State College, Castleton, Vermont 2/4/08
"On behalf of the Gloucester College Foundation and our 4,800 students I want to thank you for the marvelous artistry displayed at our Fund raising program on Friday. It ranks with the most memorable programs we've offered on campus and was both a cultural and an entertainment treasure. Your talent is truly extraordinary."
-Richard H. Smith, Executive Director Gloucester Board of Trustees, NJ 9/24/01
"The folks here are still talking about the wonderful performance and film you presented.The show was heartfelt and powerful. Very meaningful and educational for the students here. Your performance really was a unified and balanced presentation covering the many varied aspects of the human condition and therefore important for all of humanity. It is great that people with your sincerity and ability are willing to share with the world."
-Douglas Tiely, Director of Cultural Programming, Defiance College, Ohio 3/28/2006
"Thanking you for your wonderful performance and exquisite Dancing, it was appreciated by both young and old. The audience loved you. Many adults came without children just to see you dance. You have a very bright future as your dances are so unique."
-Holly Thomas, Artistic Director Candlelight Concert Society, Columbia, MD 11/26/07
"Thank you for another wonderful performance at Longwood Gardens. Everyone greatly enjoyed your exquisite performance. Your program was lovely. We enjoyed seeing so many new dances, and of course your beautiful costumes. We look forward to having you return in the future. Thank you again for making Festival of the Fountains so exceptional!"
-Dara Gordon Schmoyer/Performing Arts Coordinator, Longwood Garedens PA 7/16/07
"I'm still getting great comments about the show. Many said it was the most powerful performance ever on our stage"
-Eric Kerchner Director of Tryon Fine Arts Center, NC 2/28/07
"This program rates in the top five programs we've pressented for artistic merit and ausience enjoyment Yu Wei's artistry and talent captivated our audience. he stories told throuth dance are touching and beautiful throught Yu Wei's stunning choreography and elaborate costumes. The brief film segments of China tie the program togeher for an enchanting evening of entertainment."
-Larry Stock, Cultural Center Director Butler County Community College Butler, PA 2/22/07
"We really enjoyed Yu Wei's tour with Northeastern Arts Network. We had a many wonderful responses to her concert and school tours. I think Sindey was totally in "awe" of Wei! Everyone I talked to the next day had such admiration of her life through the film as well as her dances. We really enjoyed having her. Please know that when you come back to Montana you will have a warm welcome."
-Jill Hill. Sidney Preforming Arts - Northeastern Arts Network, Montana 5/2006
"Yu Wei is a wonderfully talented artist. The Q & A session with the audience was the best I’ve ever had here. I don’t think anyone wanted the evening to end – not Yu Wei, not the staff, and certainly not the audience. I think I can safely say that a good time was had by all."
-Mary M. Turner, Excutive Director, Smyrna Opera House DE 10/12/03
"Yu Wei, I am beyond words to tell you how moved I was, how much I enjoyed the evening, and what an amazing gift you have. The film segments were incredible and really helped set up the dance pieces. Each of your dances was more beautiful and moving than the one before it, all of them just stunning, elegant, and emotional. The music added a great flavor to the whole show. I wish I could come back again tonight, it was that wonderful."
-Barry Becker, Philly Fringe Coordinator 9/01/04
"We love your dance and we interviewed many of our audience after the gala ended. You won people's hearts and great respect. People are expecting more of your great work.."
-Julianne Xu, at The Inaugural Vhinese New Year Global Gala 1/19/04
At Simon Kenton School
"I was very glad that I went to your show and your dance deeply moved me, to be honest I went because I want both support Chinese artist (I don't mind weather I like or not) and take a break from the kids, I did not expect the show was that SPECTACULAR, I love your dance, as a musician I know how hard if it is a solo show"
-Yue Su, McLean VA 5/4/2010
"It was very nice meeting you at Garrett College last week. I am very glad that I came to your performance. It was wonderful. I talked to many people at the college afterwards. Everyone really enjoyed the show and highly complimented you. I am very proud to hear that being part of the Chinese culture myself."
-Qing Yuan, Garrett College, McHenry MD 4/26/2010
“I think you'd love to hearing this, I’ve traveled the entire world; you are the purest, most graceful, beautiful dancer I’ve even seen. Every moment of your choreography is so clear and meaningful, just on the right point of dance. You are the true master.”
-An un-known name audience at Tahoe, NV 1/13/06
"Yu Wei: Many thanks for the beautiful life-affirming performance tonight! Your lyrical re-telling of these ancient stories both informs and inspires. Your dance is exquisite. Your original choreography and interpretation of Chinese classical and folk traditions is elegant and beautiful. And the use of historical narration, poetry, film and music was creative and informative. Your dance is strong! Keep bringing beauty to the world Yu Wei! We need it!"
-Peter W. Clark, an audience at Philadelphia Museum of Arts 1/16/02
"To lovely, gifted Yu Wei, You gave me a precious gift today, and you did not know that you were doing it……When you danced SNOW today, I was transported back into that delicious sense of magic. My eyes filled with tears as I cried for the little girl who had been so full of imagination and promise, but whose dreams were not realized. Today, you gave me a gift - you let me feel the joy and wonder again…"
-Marion Schroeder, an audience at Longwood Gardens PA 11/09/03
"Your performance was fabulous. The kids and I enjoyed it tremendously. It was so nice for young dancers to have the opportunity to watch a real professional dancer. Showing the short films between the dances is a wonderful idea, it not only gives you time to change costume, but prepares the audience for what is to come."
-Yu Chuan, Director of The Jade River Danceres NJ 9/18/02
"Your work has a simple purity that I so connect to. It made me feel like I was hiking high in the mountains and surrounded by the beauty of nature.."
-Peter jakubowski, the lighting designer of the Garden State dance Festival NJ 4/19/02
Survey from Audiences for Yu Wei's "Water" dance
The National A.W.A.R.D Show Philadelphia - Arts Bank Philadelphia 5/19/2011
"I had a sense of stepping back in time to a faraway place. I liked your delicate movements, and the way your used the fabric of your costume. I definitely saw the water."
"Beautiful. The water was definitely there. Beautiful interpretation. Great music. Loved it. I was touched!"
"Clarity of movement was incredible. I loved the similarity of the flow and shape of arms to the fabric, execution in legs was a new somewhat disarming theme, costume was lovely especially the headdress."
"Lovely! Beautiful costume, make-up, so well executed! The music was perfect, subtle but also powerful. A lovely port de bras."
"Like water itself it was beautiful to watch. I cannot think of anything to say except that I loved it."
"You considered space as well as movement as part of your vocabulary. You are a lovely performer."
"Pure feminine. Great commitment and focus. Both beautiful and humble."
"Really entrancing. I found myself paying attention to the most minute detail."
"Beautiful movements, quite natural thought you were like a bird floating over water."
"A real contrast to other performances in this evening. With ethereal and minimal movement and grace."
"Beautiful movement, so delicate and patient. There is a sweetness about you."
"So elegant."
"Very interesting, well executed."
"I loved the way you developed your theme."
"Very graceful and subtle, looked like you were swimming."
"Very delicate, beautiful to watch, your arm movements so beautiful."
"Beautiful articulation, use of costume."
"Quality of movement was amazing, maybe lost on the audience."
"Enjoyed the rippling hands and behind the back arm movements especially interesting."
"Excellent performer."
"Very beautiful bittersweet story it seemed, lovely facial expressions."
"Beautiful movement especially in the arms. So much beauty (skirt too long, cut in half, want to see legs!)"
"Delicate and sensitive music and movement so synchronized it was mesmeric."
"Great technique. I felt like I was swimming"
"I loved the hand gestures and arm motions"
"Graceful calmness."
"Thank you. That was so beautiful."
"Just beautiful!"
At a class
Survey results for Yu Wei performance at the Carteret Arts Forum
New Point, NC 3/24/2011
"Creative, beautiful, lively/serene as appropriate."
"It was an excellent program and started right on time."
"The beauty expressed in her dance."
"Everything - I’ve never seen anything like it. Educational – the dance superb."
"The type of music/dance – felt like I was there."
I thought it unique to have the DVD explaining her life and dance. Yu Wei’s Biography and cultural information about China."
"Yu Wei, her talent and charm."
"Seeing and hearing about her life in China and how she came to be a dancer."
"The sophistication of the presentation."
"This was a beautiful program. I enjoyed every minute."
"Intense expression in her movements and her beautiful costumes
Her grace and beauty and creatively. Lovely."
"Blending of history and art from - in the dance itself, flow and grace."
"Beautiful - fluid – does she have any bones in her body?"
"Her talent and personality."
"The slide show made dancing much better."
"I don’t usually like dance programs but I enjoyed this one."
"Thanks you for a wonderful program."
"Great to have this type of culture in the county."
"Absolutely wonderful"
"Phenomenal! We absolutely loved it!"
"Loved it! Truly inspiring. Work on the technical stuff though"
"Great show
"Enjoyed the performance!"
At Back stage
Survey from audiences to Yu Wei
Responses from those who DID attend YU WEI's performance.
Garrett Lakes Arts Festival, McHenry MD 4/24/2010
"Yu Wei was just awesome!!!! Very informative about each dance and the info on her life. It was truly a very remarkable evening. Yu Wei's 'VISIT' after te show was most enjoyable :)"
"I brought my Mom from the Nursing Home and she just Loved it!!"
"The performance was wonderful! Thanks for making the decision to bring Yu Wei to town."
"I throughly enjoyed the performance. Yu Wei was a delightful performer and the film on China was very informative. It was a delightful evening."
"This was an outstanding program. It seemed to have been marketed well. The reception following was a great idea. I also enjoyed the question and answer period."
"This was a wonderful performance that I throughly enjoyed, and everyone surround me seemed to be equally pleased. Having this exquisite performer in a venue that made every seat a good seat..."
"I loved it...so unique and entertaining...nicely done."
"The perforrnance was amazing and Yu Wei was delightful. Her interaction with the audience was fresh and fun. I watched a cross section of attendees and all ages participated. the program was informative and beautiful."
"AMAZING...SPELLBINDING...FILM AND DANCE WERE WONDERFUL!"
"One of the most impressive and captivating performances GLAF has offered."
'This was a superb performance !"
"We thought it was a spectacular form of cultural information as well as being able to experience her fluid motion. Thanks for booking it. WOW !!"
"I did not attend, but my 8-year-old daughter saw a performance on Frinday as a school fieldtrip. She absolutely loved it."
"Yu Wei's performance was absolutely beautiful, every minute of it. We really enjoyed the Q & A and the reception following......."
Read the entire Survey click Here