During their first week of tour, 20 OIBA students received a warm opening ceremony and a grand welcome dinner by Zhixing China and College of International Education, Capital Normal University. They enjoyed a rich schedule in Beijing learning about the culture. Activities included:

• visiting Beijing International Chinese College to learn about Chinese ancient print, calligraphy, and DIY Fans

• touring the brilliant forbidden City

• attending the Bayi Dance School

• taking in the beautiful Summer palace #颐和园

• enjoying traditional Chinese hot pot

• learning the Chinese Folk dance Northeast YangGe 东北秧歌

• working with the dance troupe of Capital Normal University to learn Chinese Folk dance Dai Zu Wu 傣族舞

• attending the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy, the top professional dance Academy in China (!) to help celebrate their 70th anniversary; watching their Contemporary, classical Chinese dance and Chinese folk dance classes; 7 of OIBA dancers had the opportunity to taking classes with the students of level 2 Classical Ballet, a very rare opportunity

• taking a fun Chinese language class

• and climbing the Great Wall of China!

During their second tour week, OIBA students and teachers shared culture and met friends in Tianjin and Shanghai. Activities included:

• representing the USA by performing in the opening ceremony of the 2024 Tianjin International Children’s Art Festival

• learning the Chinese Fan Dance at the Tianjin Conservatory of Music

• visiting the Tianjin Juilliard School

• receiving a warm welcome at the Tianjin Foreign Languages University

• exploring the beautiful campus of the Hoangho-Paiho Museum of Natural History

• experiencing traditional Chinese culture at the Tianjin Normal University Science and Technology Education Center library

• learning ancient Chinese gold stone rubbing

• participating in Tai Chi and martial arts

• visiting Shanghai Theatre Academy Dance College, studying Chinese Folk dance Jiaozhou Yangge 胶州秧歌 and Classical Chinese dance.

OIBA continued its cultural tour in Shanghai, “the Paris of the East,” known for its incredible cultural offerings. The city provided brilliant learning and immersion experiences for OIBA students. The renowned Shanghai Ballet hosted OIBA and students were able to observe a dancer’s company class, which was incredibly inspiring! OIBA students learned Chinese classic and folk dances at the Shanghai Theatre Academy Dance College… in just four hours each!  OIBA travelers also enjoyed a short but fulfilling two-day trip to Guangzhou! Students rehearsed at the Guangzhou Juliet Ballet studio, visited the famous Guangzhou tower, and had delicious northeast cuisine at Bing Sheng restaurant.

On July 30th, students and teachers arrived in Japan! OIBA went right into workshops and rehearsals at the Casa de Arte Ballet School, which is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. As you may recall, students from Casa de Arte have joined OIBA in its most recent two Nutcracker performances in Portland, and now, OIBA students are finally able to experience exchange activities in Kumamoto!

OIBA hosted two workshops taught by Directors Xuan Cheng and Executive Director Ye Li at the Casa de Arte school, providing new perspectives on ballet to many youthful faces while bridging the language barrier. OIBA students participated in masterclasses with Japanese dancers and performed in the 20th anniversary celebration of the Casa de Arte Ballet School, performing selections from four ballets: Cinderella, Player, The Waiting Room, and The Nutcracker.

OIBA students and teachers soaked up the culture in Hong Kong! In addition to visits to museums and restaurants, students had the unforgettable opportunity to tour and sit in on a rehearsal with the Hong Kong Ballet.

This led to an EPIC final few days in Dongguan, Guandung, China. Fourteen OIBA dancers competed in the 5th Rising Stars Dance Competition and performed in the Gala performance, and everyone did an incredible job!

OIBA students won 3 Rising Stars awards, 2 group dance Gold awards, 4 soloist Gold awards, and 2 soloist Silver awards.

OIBA dancers were also ranked FIRST PLACE overall out of the 140 competitors, receiving the highest Jury prize.

What a fruitful journey!!