YGP Singapore 2023 Ballet Master – Mr. RUNQIAO DU. Artistic Director of DUCON International 

Runqiao Du, Founder and Artistic Director of “Runqiao Du Ballet Coaching”, a ballet educational program that provides quality live virtual ballet lessons for worldwide access. The program also conducts teachers training workshops, seminars as well as In Person summer and winter ballet intensives. As an active member of the international ballet community, Mr. Du teaches master classes, holds lectures at schools and multiple ballet companies. He is also a jury member for Youth America Grand Prix. Star of Canaan International Ballet Competition, and DANCE OPEN AMERICA.

Mr. Du was born in Shanghai, China. At the age of 11, he was selected and awarded a full scholarship to study at the famed Shanghai School of Dance. Upon graduating with honors, Mr. Du moved to the United States to begin his performing career with The Washington Ballet. During his nearly 20-year tenure with TWB, he performed various leading roles in classical and neoclassical ballets including Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Albrecht in Giselle, Prince Charming in Cinderella, Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the Prince in Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty, and the Cavalier in The Nutcracker.

He also had the opportunity to dance leading roles choreographed by some of the most influential choreographers including works by Jerome Robbins, Christopher Wheelden, Nacho Duato, Mark Morris, Edwaard Liang, Septime Webre, Twyla Tharp, William Forsythe, Trey McIntyre, Lila York, and Jiri Kylian.

In 2000, while maintaining his principal position with The Washington Ballet, he accepted an invitation from the legendary ballerina, Suzanne Farrell, to join her brand-new company The Suzanne Farrell Ballet as a principal dancer. Under her coaching, Mr. Du danced some of the most important works created by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Maurice Bejart.