Dai Ailian

Dai Ailian (; May 10, 1916 – February 9, 2006) was a Trinidadian-Chinese dancer and an important figure in the modern history of dance in China. She was born in 1916 into an overseas Chinese family living in Trinidad and Tobago. Her years as a dance teacher and educator helped China build a generation of dancers, choreographers, and educators. She is known in China as the "Mother of Chinese Modern Dance" for her contributions to the field of dance in China, including her early articulation of three core commitments that shaped dance in China during the second half of the twentieth century.

Early life

Dai Ailian was born in Couva, Trinidad to a third-generation Chinese family, whose origins were in Xinhui, Guangdong Province. Born Eileen Isaac, she never knew her family's Chinese surname, as her paternal grandfather was given the surname Isaac upon his arrival in Trinidad. She used the name Eileen Isaac until her move to England, when her teacher Anton Dolin asked her for her Chinese surname. Her mother selected the surname Dai, after her father's nickname Ah Dai. Influenced by her mother, who loved music, she liked to dance from a young age. She began studying ballet in Trinidad from the age of 7.

In 1931 at the age of 15, Dai moved to London to further her study of ballet under former Ballets Russes dancer Anton Dolin where she danced alongside Alicia Markova. 1930s London was a hub for major ballet talent and she also studied with Marie Rambert and Margaret Craske, the foremost discipline of Enrico Cecchetti.

Founding of modern Chinese dance In 1937, Dai performed in benefit concerts in London organized by the China Campaign Committee to raise funds for the Hong Kong-based China Defense League, which was headed by Soong Ching-ling, wife of Sun Yat-sen. She also served as director and adviser to the Central Ballet of China, and was the vice-chairman of the Chinese Dancers' Association.

Prizes and recognition

1950, Model Worker as Principal Dancer and Choreographer for the ballet Doves of Peace. 1951, Third Prize, choreography Tibetan Spring, 3rd World Festival of Youth and Students, Berlin. 1953, Second Prize, choreography Lotus Dance, 4th World Festival of Youth and Students, Bucharest. 1955, Third Prize, choreography Flying Asparas, 5th World Festival of Youth and Students, Warsaw 1955, Winner of the 20th Century Choreographic Award in Beijing for her contribution to Chinese choreography. Source: