SCDIBC 2024 Jury

Meet our Jury of 𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜𝗕𝗖 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲 – 𝗩𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗿 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗲𝘃

Vladimir Issaev, Ballet Master, Choreographer, and Artistic Director, has left an indelible mark on the global dance scene. Born in 1954 in Russia and a naturalized American citizen since 2008, Issaev’s ballet journey began at 11, at the Choreographic School of Voronezh. His passion led to over 15 years of performance at the Opera Houses of Ufa and Odessa before advancing his studies at Moscow’s State Institute of Arts Lunacharsky G.I.T.I.S.

Graduating in 1986 with top honors as a Ballet Master and Master Choreographer, Issaev became the youngest director of all ballet schools in the country as Academic and Artistic Director at the Choreographic School of Frounze. Defecting in 1987, he relocated to Venezuela, joining the Ballet Nacional de Caracas before moving to Miami in 1997. Since then, he has created several generations of international well-known dancers.

Issaev’s dedication to education extends to preserving and promoting the Vaganova Method through his trainings and seminars. His accolades include the prestigious “A Life for Dance” Award in 2023. He founded the Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida, established the Miami International Ballet Competition, and serves as Artistic Director of the Asia Ballet Academy, showcasing his enduring commitment to dance education and inspiration worldwide.

Meet our Jury of 𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜𝗕𝗖 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲 – 𝗪𝗲𝗶 𝗪𝗲𝗶

Wei Wei born in Liaoning, China, Wei Wei graduated from Shenyang Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor’s degree in dance in 2003. He joined Hong Kong Ballet as a Corps de Ballet member the same year, was promoted to Soloist in 2007 and became Principal Dancer in 2013. In 2021, he assumed the additional role of Associate Ballet Master and was named Principal Character Dancer.

With Hong Kong Ballet, Wei has danced principal and featured roles, including Prince Siegfried in John Meehan’s Swan Lake, Hilarion in John Meehan and Lin Mei-fang’s and Septime Webre and Charla Genn’s Giselle, and Albrecht in the latter, Prince Désiré and Carabosse in Cynthia Harvey’s The Sleeping Beauty, Prince in Stephen Jefferies’ and Terence Kohler’s The Nutcracker and Spanish Doll in the latter, Basilio and Don Quixote in Nina Ananiashvili’s Don Quixote, Conrad and Lankendem in Anna-Marie Holmes’ Le Corsaire, Romeo in Rudi van Dantzig’s Romeo and Juliet, Juliet’s Father in Webre’s Romeo + Juliet, Count Danilo Danilowitsch in Ronald Hynd’s The Merry Widow, Armand and Baron de Varville in Val Caniparoli’s Lady of the Camellias, Pao Yu in Wang Xin Peng’s The Dream of Red Chamber, Prince Calaf in Natalie Weir’s Turandot, Lewis Carroll, Cheshire Cat and King of Hearts in Webre’s ALICE (in wonderland), Captain Hook in Webre’s Peter Pan, José in Yuh Egami and Hu Song Wei Ricky’s Carmenand lead roles in George Balanchine’s Jewels.

Wei’s international guest performances include the International Ballet Gala, Malaysia in 2012 and Queensland Ballet’s 50th Anniversary International Gala in Brisbane, Australia in 2010. He won second prize in the Male Ballet Dancers’ category at the Taoli Cup Dance Competition in 2003.

Meet our Jury of 𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜𝗕𝗖 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲 – 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗺

Kenny Shim completed his BA in Contemporary Dance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, and subsequently his Post Grad at London Contemporary Dance School (Masters in Contemporary Dance Performance). He joined the EDge Dance Company (London) 2016. During his training in the U.K., Kenny has worked with choreographers and company’s members from around Europe such as Wayne McGregor, Tom Roden, Alexander Whitley, Phillipe Blanchard, Gary Lambert, Alison Curtis-Jones, Lea Anderson, Joseph Toonga, Jeanne Yasko and Fred Ghedrig. With an aptitude in choreography, Kenny has crafted works that have toured Europe namely, ‘Within’ and ‘Rite’. Recently, Kenny produced his debut production: TRIPLE BILL of Contemporary Dance Works, featuring two new choreographies – Winged Wolves and the Bamboo Mew and Pieces of Three Movements. He is also the commissioned choreographer for the 15th & 16th Boh Cameronian Arts Award (arts awards that has been devoted to recognising outstanding Malaysian art practitioners). Kenny has a strong interest in film and has collaborated with Chicago based NEON 35 MEDIA Company in choreographing the recent H&M advert. He is also the movement director of the acclaimed musical The Edge, 10th Anniversary production written by Nick Choo, directed by Christopher Ling

Meet our Jury of 𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜𝗕𝗖 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲 – 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝗴

After graduating with honors from the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy Ballet department in 1986, Tong Wang performed as a principal artist with companies such as Shanghai Ballet, Tulsa Ballet Theatre, Dayton Ballet, Colorado Ballet, and, most recently, Ballet West. He danced all the Romantic and Classical ballets and work by esteemed choreographers such as Balanchine, Ashton, Tudor, Hans Van Manen, Carnko, Culberg, just to name a few.

Tong performed internationally and was featured in 2002 Winter Olympic Concert, Edinburgh Festival, and China International Dance Festival. While dancing professionally, Tong completed his B.F.A. and M.F.A. degrees in Ballet Teaching and Choreography with the University of Utah Ballet Department and also worked as a guest faculty member from 2000-2005.

From 2005-2007, Tong served as Assistant Professor of Dance at Wright State University. He held the position of Dance professor at Butler University from 2007-2011. In fall 2011, Tong joined the distinguished Dance Department of University of California, Irvine. Currently serving as an associate professor, Tong is one of the creators and artistic directors for East Meets West International Dance and Music Festival from 2016 to present.

As a master teacher, Tong has taught internationally and nationally at National Ballet of China, Hong Kong Ballet, Ballet West, Beijing Dance Academy, Colorado Ballet, and National Choreography Initiative.

Meet our Jury of 𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜𝗕𝗖 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲 – 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗶 𝗦𝗼𝗸𝗶

Kenichi started ballet from the age of three in Yokohama, Japan. In 1985, he joined Universal Ballet at the age of 16. In 1990, he moved to the Hong Kong Ballet as a soloist.

Since 1991, he has joined the Austrian Salzburg State Theater Ballet as a soloist and dances in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy and Spain all over Europe. Return to Japan in 1996.

In 1997, he joined as a soloist with the National Ballet of Japan and opened Soki Balllet International in the same year.

In 2007, he was in charge of the choreography of Junior/Senior Men at the 18th All-Japan Ballet Competition of the Japan Ballet Association.

In 2012, he served as a Japanese judge at the 25th Valna International Ballet Competition with the recommendation of Dr. Kenji Usui. In 2013, he served as a judge at All Japan Ballet Union. He served as a judge for the Korean International Ballet Competition in 2016. From 2017, judge of the Canaan International Ballet Competition (Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia,Singapore). Judge of Miami International Ballet Competition since 2020.

Instructed at Dutch National Ballet Academy in 2018. He choreographed “Grand Defile” at Chura Vista Ballet (San Diego, USA) and won the first prize in the contemporary junior category for his choreographed work “Romance”at YAGP 2019 Japan Semi-Final. 2019-2020, Kenichi is coordinating and mentoring the scholarship of the Kirov Academy of Ballet of Washington DC.Since the same year, he has been Head of “art ballet intensive” Japan.

Meet our Jury of 𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜𝗕𝗖 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲 – 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝗞𝘄𝗼𝗸

Linus graduated from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and the Royal Academy of Dance, majored in Ballet and Dance Education. He studied the Russian Vaganova Ballet teaching methodology with Mr. Vladimir Issaev. He is the first Hong Kong teacher to obtain the certificate of “Professional Ballet Teacher in the Vaganova Method” presented by the Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida. Linus furthered his education in classical music and obtained his certificates in the Yale University and the University of Edinburgh. He has also completed a Professional Certificate program from the Harvard University in Business. He was awarded with full ballet scholarship at Ivy Chung School of Ballet. He has also received Alumni Association Scholarship for the Arts (Dance and Drama), SKH Lui Ming Choi Secondary School. Funding from the Hong Kong Bank Foundation, Linus was awarded the HKSAR/Mainland Exchange Scholarship, allowing him to have cultural exchange with the Liaoning Ballet Company and Shenyang Conservatory of Music.

Linus has an extensive performing experiences. During his professional training in HKAPA, he has performed “Fragmented Dialogue-Fleeting Moments”, “Dance/lines- Propaganda Ballet”, “Night Falls Fast-of night and other things”,” November Dances-Chopin Suite”, “Carmen” and ballet classicals such as Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty with the Hong Kong Ballet Company. Linus took part in numerous stage performances and worked with different performing arts company such as “The French May Arts Festival”,”Cirque de Soleil”,“Shu Ning Presentation Unit” ,” Blindates” (Danceart Company),” And Then There’s You” (Hong Kong Arts Festival), ”Community Cultural Ambassador Scheme –Tree in my home”, leading roles of “Sleeping Beauty and Four Seasons”, “Wonderland 2009 & 2010”and Chinese New Year Night Parade (Ivy’s Ballet Company). Linus has played the principal role in “I Believe” ballet performance organised by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, in which he was also the Rehearsal Director of the show.

He worked as a dance teacher in schools such as La Salle College, Fukien Secondary School, Valtorta College, International Christian School. He has also been invited to the National Zhubei Senior High School Taiwan as a Guest Professor and choreographer. He was the Artistic Director of Beyond Dance Company. He also works as a movement coach for different stage plays such as Gia Theatre.

Linus is active in choreography work as well. Recently, his work “ Notre Suite Romantique” and ”Hungarian Rhapsody” were both awarded Outstanding Performance and Gold Award of the Hong Kong Open Dance Contest. He was awarded “Outstanding Choreography Award” in the Star of Canaan Dance International Ballet Competition with his work ”The Theory of Everything”,Gold Award with “Finale Suite Romantique”,” and Silver Award in Group Dance (choreographed by Linus) in the Hong Kong Ballet Group’s 5th Young Ballet Stars Awards. He also directed different classical ballet such as “Coppelia”,“Swan Lake”, “Paquita” ,”Giselle”, “Le Corsaire”,”Les Sylphides” and “Don Quixote”. Linus was Artistic Director of Beyond Dance Company. Under his artistic direction ,Beyond Dance Company was awarded numerous prizes in different dance competitions.

Linus served as Vice-principal of Ivy Chung School of Ballet. He was also Ballet Master of Ivy’s Ballet Company. As Ballet Master of Canaan Dance, he was appointed Audition Director and ballet master to present scholarships for Kirov Academy of Ballet, Washington, Sarasota Ballet School, Ballet Centre of Forth Worth, the School of Cadence Ballet. He also served as lecturer and examiner of the Russian Ballet Association, teaching ballet history and theory.