Chinese Dance Fiesta 2026: Kunwu Intensive Dance Workshop

Professor Ma Jiaqin is a first-class choreographer from China and the creator of kunwu. She has served as Vice Chairman of the Jiangsu Dance Association and as the Founding Dean of the Dance Academy at Nanjing University of the Arts. She is a distinguished professor in charge of kunwu, and has held leadership roles in Suzhou’s performing arts institutions. She has received numerous awards, including the China’s Wenhua Choreography and Scriptwriting Awards, National Choreography First and Special Awards and Jiangsu Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles Contributor and Model title. Her centre for kunwu research and practice, the Kunwu Inheritance and Innovation Centre, was listed by the UNESCO as one of China’s intangible cultural heritage.

Representative works include Gan Jiang Mo Ye 《干将莫邪》, Wu Gu Niang 《五姑娘》, Yu Mei Re 《虞美人》 , Hua Meng 《花梦》 , Wu Zhi Lian Hua Lan 《五指莲花兰》, You Shan Tang 《游山塘》, Qing Zui San Yue Tia 《情醉三月天》, Dao Cao Ren 《稻草人》, Gui Mei 《鬼妹》, Chun 《春》, Feng Xue Xing Ren 《风雪行人》, Xiao Chun Xiang 《小春香》 and Chuan Yao – Yue Er Gao 《船谣——月儿高》.

Publications include Kun Yun Liu Fang 《昆韵流芳》, Collection of Academic Papers on Kunwu, Kunwu Syllabus for Undergraduates, as well as Teaching and Research Achievements on The Emergence and Ontological Structure of Kunwu.

Singapore Chinese Dance Theatre (SCDT), established in 2014, promotes Chinese dance through artistic excellence, nurturing young talent and creating innovative works rooted in tradition. It also engages communities through outreach efforts while showcasing its productions internationally.

Led by Artistic Director Jenny Neo, SCDT plays a key role in shaping Singapore’s Chinese dance identity. The company has been supported by the National Arts Council under its Major Company Scheme since 2016. It is a non-profit charity and Institution of Public Character (IPC), and a recipient of the 2024 Charity Transparency Award.