Meet Principal Artist

Chengwu Guo

Introducing Chengwu

Growing up in China, Chengwu Guo began dance classes at the age of eleven. He was accepted into the Beijing Dance Academy where he was able to combine his ballet training with academic studies. Chengwu’s talent for ballet was soon evident when he received a gold medal at the Tao Li Bei of China Competition, and also at the Beijing International Competition. In 2006 Chengwu became a prize winner at the prestigious Prix de Lausanne competition in Switzerland, receiving a full scholarship to complete his vocational ballet training. He chose to take up this scholarship at The Australian Ballet School. During his time at the School Chengwu toured regional Australia with The Dancers Company, and received glowing reviews for his roles in The Sleeping Beauty, Graduation Ball and Coppélia. Chengwu joined The Australian Ballet in 2008 and was promoted to principal artist in 2013.

Almost superhuman

The Age

REPERTOIRE HIGHLIGHTS

  • Albrecht in Maina Gielgud’s Giselle 2015
  • Puck in Frederick Ashton’s The Dream 2015
  • Solor in Stanton Welch’s La Bayadère 2014
  • The Prince in Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker 2014
  • Basilio in Rudolf Nureyev’s Don Quixote 2013

  • Principal Man, Mazurka, in Harald Lander's Études 2012
  • Mercutio and Tybalt in Graeme Murphy’s Romeo & Juliet 2011
  • First Red Knight in Ninette de Valois’ Checkmate 2011
  • Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Concerto 2011
  • Graeme Murphy’s Firebird 2009

You may not know

Chengwu likes to watch Japanese anime in his spare time.

Professional accolades

Awards

  • Green Room Award nomination for Don Quixote and La Sylphide 2013
  • Maurice Sullivan Scholarship 2013
  • Telstra Ballet Dancer Award and Telstra People’s Choice Award 2011

Guest appearances

  • The Dancers Company tour 2008

In the media

Principal dancer Chengwu Guo dazzled … with turns controlled like pulled toffee and glorious ballon, all performed with jaunty panache

DANCE AUSTRALIA