Trinity Laban and Beijing Dance Academy (BDA) came together in Beijing this October to celebrate their long-standing partnership through a major collaborative performance.
Presented on 25 October at the finale of the 20th Beijing Dance Competition, Hé (和 / 河 / 合) brought students, academics and artists from both institutions together on stage, showcasing the strength of their international partnership.
Hosted by Beijing Dance Academy and organised by the Chinese Dance Association, the event reflected years of collaboration through performance, education and cultural exchange. The partnership continues to open up opportunities for students and staff to collaborate internationally, broaden their perspectives and engage with different artistic traditions.
Directed by Professor Xiao Xiangrong, Hé explored the themes of Harmony (和), River (河) and Collaboration (合). Drawing connections between the River Thames and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, the production reflected the close links between London and Beijing and the role of the arts in building understanding between cultures.
Six students from Trinity Laban’s MA/MFA Dance Performance programme participated in the project alongside 14 Beijing Dance Academy students and faculty members. Representing Trinity Laban were Mia Allison, Jessica Baynes, Rebecca Francis, Leok Lei, Isabella Mitchell and Shiting Tao. The institution was also represented in Beijing by Professor Anthony Bowne, Dr Naomi Lefebvre Sell, Victoria Stretton, Luqian Zhao and Anna Bernadska.
The collaboration showcased the strength of a partnership founded on shared values and a commitment to developing globally minded artists. Through joint projects such as Hé, students gain invaluable experience of working in international contexts, engaging with different artistic traditions and collaborating across cultures.
The performance also reflected the growing ambitions of the relationship between Trinity Laban and Beijing Dance Academy. Looking ahead, the partnership will enter an exciting new phase with the launch of the BA (Hons) Dance Choreography programme in September 2027 as part of the new Beijing Dance Academy Trinity Laban Joint Institute in Beijing.
Trinity Laban was further represented at the 20th Beijing Dance Competition by alum James Pett, the award-winning contemporary dancer, choreographer and director, who served on the competition’s judging panel. Beijing Dance Academy also received several accolades during the competition, recognising the institution’s continued artistic achievement.
As both institutions continue to strengthen their relationship, projects such as Hé demonstrate the enduring value of international collaboration in the arts, bringing together students, artists and audiences through the shared language of dance.
