June 2nd, 2024. Xuejuan Dance Ensemble 15th anniversary Recital. Meridian HS, Falls Church, VA.
Xuejuan Dance Ensemble (XDE www.xjdance.org) was founded in 2009 with the mission of providing education and training in Chinese classical and ethnic/folk dances. XDE’s founder and artistic director, Xuejuan Feng, is a graduate of Beijing Dance Academy (BA) and University of Maryland (MFA). Since its inception, the ensemble has welcomed and nurtured dance students of differing ages and backgrounds. The ensemble offers training in technique and repertoire through a diverse curriculum.
Based in Herndon, Virginia, XDE performs widely in the Greater Washington metropolitan area. Besides having a prominent presence in the Chinese American community, XDE has also performed at events including the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, the VelocityDC Festival, Atlas Intersections Festival, and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. In addition, members of XDE have won outstanding awards in dance competitions such as All American Talent, American Youth Talent and Artist Contest, Star Dance Alliance, Global Chinese Dance Competition, and the Taoli World Dance Competition. XDE students also receive dance education enrichment via masterclasses and workshops with professional teachers or performers from China and the US.
Greater Washington Chinese Dance (GWCD www.gwcd.org) was established in 2022 as the non-profit affiliate of XDE with the aim of bringing the art of Chinese dance to diverse audiences in America. GWCD activities complement and enhance the works of XDE by focusing on community outreach in order to promote cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. GWCD has taken Chinese dance to a variety of settings:
Educational institutions (public and private elementary schools to universities)
Workplaces (Coast Guard, Transportation Security Administration, and Great Wolf Lodge)
Public events (Kennedy Center Dance Sanctuaries, Lotus and Water Lily Festival, National Dance Day, Fairfax County Summer Entertainment Series, and Fiesta Asia)
Performing arts venues (Capital One Hall, Wolf Trap’s Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, and Olney Theater)