Chinese-Canadian Girl Promoting Chinese Culture via Dance & Youth Leadership

Toronto, Canada — May 17–18, 2026 — The Pan-American International Taoli Cup Dance Competition (Canada Division) was successfully held in Toronto this past weekend. During the event, Chinese Canadian teenage dancer Ruixuan Zhao, in collaboration with instructor Wang Yuanyuan from WE Dance Studio, initiated and organized a high-level Chinese dance masterclass featuring renowned dancer and Minzu University of China associate professor Yumiti as guest instructor.

The masterclass attracted hundreds of dance enthusiasts across Canada and provided overseas students with rare opportunities to engage in professional Chinese dance training and cultural exchange.

Having trained in dance from a young age, Ruixuan Zhao has remained dedicated to promoting Chinese dance and traditional culture while studying abroad. She was awarded The James Nesbitt Trophy ’25, the highest dance honor presented by her school for the 2024–2025 academic year. In 2026, she also received First Place in the Senior Solo A Open Division at the Showstopper National Dance Competition.

Centered on the artistic exchange of ethnic dance traditions, the event highlighted the beauty and expressive power of Xinjiang dance. Through the language of movement and performance, the masterclass aimed to build cultural bridges and encourage the continued growth of Chinese traditional arts within North America.

The initiative received strong recognition from multiple overseas dance institutions. Beyond offering a professional learning platform for young dancers, the program demonstrated how grassroots youth leadership can foster cultural understanding between China and Canada, reflecting the cultural confidence and global vision of a new generation of Chinese youth abroad.