Yuan Yuan Tan Quotes

Powerful Yuan Yuan Tan for Daily Growth

About Yuan Yuan Tan

Yuan Yuan Tan, born on November 27, 1980, in Shanghai, China, is an accomplished ballerina who has left an indelible mark on the world of dance. Raised in a family passionate about ballet, Yuan began her training at the age of five in Shanghai before being accepted into the San Francisco Ballet School at the tender age of ten. In 1997, at the age of just seventeen, Yuan became the youngest principal dancer in the history of the San Francisco Ballet, a position she would hold for more than two decades. Her career with the company saw her perform leading roles in classics such as Swan Lake, Giselle, and The Nutcracker, as well as contemporary works by renowned choreographers like Christopher Wheeldon and Helgi Tomasson. Throughout her career, Yuan has been influenced by various dance legends, including Mikhail Baryshnikov and Alicia Alonso. Her unique style, characterized by a blend of power, grace, and emotional depth, has earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious Dance Magazine Award in 2003 and the Benois de la Danse prize in 2017. In addition to her work with the San Francisco Ballet, Yuan has also appeared as a guest artist with companies such as the American Ballet Theatre and the National Ballet of Canada. In 2015, she co-founded Dance for Paradise, an organization dedicated to providing relief and resources to communities affected by natural disasters. Yuan's quotes reflect her passion for dance, her dedication to excellence, and her commitment to using her platform for good. One of her most famous quotes is, "Dance is not just a career, it's my life." These words encapsulate Yuan's love for dance and her unwavering dedication to her craft. Today, she continues to inspire dancers around the world with her artistry, passion, and resilience.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Dance is the hidden language of the soul of the body."

This quote suggests that dance serves as an expression or manifestation of one's inner emotions, thoughts, and feelings, which may not always be easily articulated through words. It implies that the human spirit holds deep, complex sentiments that can find release and interpretation through the art of dance. Essentially, Yuan Yuan Tan is stating that dancing allows the body to communicate the soul's unique and personal language.


"Every dancer's dream is to dance without an audience, because that's when you can truly express yourself."

This quote suggests that for a dancer, the ultimate expression of their art lies in personal, uninhibited dance, away from the gaze of an audience. Dancing without an audience allows the dancer to freely explore their emotions, creativity, and technique without external influence or judgment. It's a moment of pure self-expression, where the dance becomes a form of self-discovery rather than performance. However, it is also important to note that performing for an audience is essential as well, as it validates and amplifies the expression of the dancer, allowing them to connect with others on a deeper level through their art.


"Ballet is a way of feeling beautiful; it's a gift for our spirit."

This quote emphasizes that ballet serves as a means to evoke feelings of beauty within oneself, offering a spiritual nourishment. It suggests that the art of ballet transcends physical grace and technical skill, touching on an individual's emotional and spiritual well-being. In essence, it communicates that through ballet, one can find a connection with their inner self, fostering a sense of beauty, serenity, and inspiration.


"The best dancers are not always the most technical but have a special connection with their audience."

The quote highlights that exceptional dance performance isn't solely about mastering complex techniques, but also about creating a deep emotional bond between the performer and the audience. This "special connection" refers to the artist's ability to evoke feelings, tell stories, or resonate with viewers on a personal level. In other words, skillful dancers aren't only those who excel in technical aspects; they are also those who communicate effectively and touch hearts through their performance.


"As a dancer, I feel so much joy and freedom when I perform. It's like I can express all my emotions without words."

The quote highlights the profound connection between dance and emotion. Dancing, for Yuan Yuan Tan, is a means of unrestrained expression, allowing her to convey feelings and thoughts that would otherwise remain unspoken. This suggests a deep understanding of how movement, rhythm, and artistry can transcend verbal language and communicate complex emotions directly, fostering a sense of joy and freedom in the process.


I think Hong Kong's ballet audience is very sophisticated in the sense that they are able to find the beauty in good performances.

- Yuan Yuan Tan

Think, Audience, Very, Sophisticated

I remember watching Audrey Hepburn dancing in movies, and I was inspired by how graceful she looked, though I understand it was no easy task.

- Yuan Yuan Tan

Dancing, I Remember, Though, Graceful

My favorite shoe brand is Christian Louboutin - I don't have a favorite shoe store per se.

- Yuan Yuan Tan

Christian, Store, Per, Brand

I have learned to be patient.

- Yuan Yuan Tan

Patient, Learned, Be Patient

I like walking in Golden Gate Park.

- Yuan Yuan Tan

Walking, Golden, Like, Gate

I love wine tasting in Napa. I don't have a huge collection, but the bottles I do have are special.

- Yuan Yuan Tan

Love, Special, I Love, Tasting

I just don't do much social media. No, it is more important to strike a balance between ballet and real life.

- Yuan Yuan Tan

More, Social, Strike, Social Media

My Chinese side comes out in my dancing. There's a certain in-the-moment sentimentality, an appreciation for the smallest details.

- Yuan Yuan Tan

Dancing, Side, Smallest, Sentimentality

I love to watch old movies when I get time off.

- Yuan Yuan Tan

Love, Movies, I Love, Old Movies

I can let go of a lot of stuff, but I focus on things I think I should, like dancing, because it takes 100 percent concentration on every step.

- Yuan Yuan Tan

Dancing, Think, I Think, Let Go

My workout is ballet class and rehearsal - I've never belonged to a gym.

- Yuan Yuan Tan

Never, Ballet, Rehearsal, Workout

If Shanghai wants to be an international cultural center, they have to do something about that. The reason I left is that I wanted to explore what ballet is all about, and if I had stayed put, that wouldn't have happened.

- Yuan Yuan Tan

Explore, Reason, Center, Shanghai

For me, dance is about the aesthetics and the hard work that goes into creating something so beautiful. Motivation and dedication to the craft is what pushes me to do my best, to always strive to do better, and the outcome is always worth it.

- Yuan Yuan Tan

Motivation, Craft, About, Outcome

Things don't always happen the way one wishes they would.

- Yuan Yuan Tan

Happen, Always, Would, Wishes

I own the complete DVD set of all the Audrey Hepburn movies ever made.

- Yuan Yuan Tan

Movies, Ever, DVD, Hepburn

I'm flying all around the world, and it's hard to be settled.

- Yuan Yuan Tan

World, Hard, Settled, Flying

I can be very hard on myself, very demanding.

- Yuan Yuan Tan

Myself, Hard, Very, Demanding

I think ballet has influenced my personality a lot in the sense that I am very disciplined in all of my endeavours. I am always on time; I take things very seriously. I've built up my inner strength and self-esteem over time as I've improved as a dancer.

- Yuan Yuan Tan

Self-Esteem, I Think, Very, Ballet

I have never gotten my nails done.

- Yuan Yuan Tan

Never, Done, Gotten, Nails

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