CultureFrom Principal Ballet Dancer to Royal Celebration Choreographer in South Africa

Singapore-born Chen Yu-kuang became the country’s first Chinese male principal ballet dancer. From the 1990s into the new millennium, he took leading male roles in classics including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Giselle. He entered dance almost by accident at 21 and nearly quit while studying in Britain, but a mentor persuaded him to return to the company. His stage career lasted 20 years. After retiring, he opened a school and was invited by royalty in a neighboring South African kingdom to choreograph the king’s birthday celebration.