Ballet and Dance Companies in Asia

Asia is the world’s largest and most populous continent, home to over 60% of the world’s population. The continent’s immense size and varied cultures have had a profound impact on the development of dance and ballet around the world.

From the ancient court dances of China and Japan to the graceful Bharatanatyam of India and the energetic folk dances of Korea and Vietnam, the dances of Asia are as varied as the continent itself. Asian dances often incorporate elements of martial arts and acrobatics, and are known for their ornate costumes and colorful choreography.

Ballet, too, has been deeply influenced by Asian dance. The French ballet master Marius Petipa was greatly inspired by the Javanese court dance he saw during a trip to Indonesia in the 19th century, and incorporated many of its elements into his own work. The Russian ballet company the Mariinsky also has a long history of performing Asian-themed ballets, such as «The Nutcracker» and «Swan Lake.»

Today, Asian dancers and choreographers are making their mark on the international ballet scene. Japan’s Yoko Morishita is the first Asian woman to be appointed principal dancer at the Mariinsky, while South Korea’s Seh-Hyun Oh is the current director of the English National Ballet. In the United States, acclaimed choreographer Alexei Ratmansky has created works for both the American Ballet Theatre and the San Francisco Ballet that draw on his own Russian-Jewish heritage as well as Asian influences.

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the influence of Asian dance and ballet will only continue to grow.

Make your search more local

Better take a look coutry by country at the information on Asian dance.

The Best Dance Companies in Asia

Here you can find information about some of the best dance institutions in this continent. You can also take a look at the dance auditions in Asia.