Zhang Yao
Principal Dancer
Born in Beijing. After graduated from Beijing Dance Academy in 1999, Zhang Yao joined the National Ballet of China and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2003. In 2004, he joined the Hong Kong Ballet as Senior Soloist and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2005. In 2002, Zhang Yao won the Silver Medal at the Varna International Ballet Competition and received the Career Outstanding Contribution Award from the Cultural Ministry of China. Zhang Yao was invited to perform at the Varna International Ballet Competition in 2004 and the Vail International Dance Festival in Colorado, U.S.A. in 2005, in Charity Gala "Dancing for AIDS Orphans" at the Seisphonen Centre in Yokohama, Japan in August 2007 and in the Prague Ballet Gala in Czech Republic in January 2008.