Yu Wei took everyone’s breath away... she is pure beauty.
-Merilyn Jackson, Philadelphia Inquire 9/5/04
There are strains of ballet, folk and modern dance throughout her program - she is adept at them all.
-Annette John-Hal, The Philadelphia Inquier 1/6/02
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 10/00
From the Presenters
"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
"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
"Thisprogram 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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"What a delight! Yu Wei and Jared Martin are such thorough professionals, and 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
"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
"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
“I think you'd like 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
"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
"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
"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