Zhao Ruheng

Zhao Ruheng, female, born in 1944 in Tianjin, China. She began studying dance at Beijing Dance Academy in 1955, demonstrating outstanding performance talent. During her student years, she was guided by renowned Soviet dance experts and played significant roles in ballet productions such as "Swan Lake," "The Pirates," and "Giselle." After graduating in 1961, she joined the China National Ballet and performed in many large-scale dance dramas, including "Swan Lake," "Forest Fairy," "Giselle," and "Red Detachment of Women."

In 1972, due to a foot injury, Zhao Ruheng left the stage and later studied at Beijing Second Foreign Languages Institute, focusing on teaching, rehearsing, artistic research, and international exchanges. In 1993, the Ministry of Culture appointed her as the executive deputy director of the China National Ballet; the following year, she was promoted to director. During her leadership, she introduced various ballet schools of thought and collaborated with internationally renowned companies and choreographers, restaging classics such as "Sleeping Beauty," "The Fairy," "Gabriele," and "Giselle."

Zhao Ruheng emphasizes integrating Chinese elements and creating ballet works with national characteristics. In 2001, she collaborated with director Zhang Yimou and composer Chen Zuohuang to create the ballet "The Crimson Lantern," which achieved success. Subsequently, she led the creation of several works, including the Chinese version of "The Nutcracker," "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai," and "Yellow River." Her works have been performed on international stages multiple times, receiving widespread attention.

She has extensive experience serving as a judge in the international dance community, serving as a juror and judge in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, Denmark, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Turkey, Israel, Indonesia, Singapore, as well as Taiwan and Hong Kong regions of China. She joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1988. In 2005, she was awarded the title of "Advanced Individual in the Tertiary Level Cultural System" nationwide; in 2016, she received the title of Honorary Committee Member of the 10th China Literary and Art Circles Federation.

Currently, Zhao Ruheng serves as Honorary President of the China Dancers Association, Dance Arts Director at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Ballet Art Advisor at Beijing Dance Academy, and advisor for the Beijing Xiaoxing Ballet Arts Development Foundation. Throughout her career, she has received numerous honors, including the 2022 "Honorable Artist of the National Centre for the Performing Arts" and the 2024 Chinese Federation of Literary and Art Circles Lifetime Achievement Award (Dance).