Runqiao Du

Biography

Runqiao Du was born in Shanghai, China. At the age of 11, he was selected and awarded a scholarship to study at the famed Shanghai School of Dance. Upon graduating with honors in 1989, Mr. Du moved to the United States to begin his performing career with The Washington Ballet. During his nearly 20 year tenure with TWB, he performed various leading roles in classical and neoclassical ballets including Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Albrecht in Giselle, Prince Charming in Cinderella, Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the Cavalier in The Nutcracker.

He has also had the opportunity to dance leading roles choreographed by some of today’s most influential choreographers including works by Christopher Wheelden, Nacho Duato, Mark Morris, Edwaard Liang, Septime Webre and Twyla Tharp.

In 2000, while maintaining his position with The Washington Ballet, he accepted an invitation from the legendary ballerina, Suzanne Farrell, to join her brand new company The Suzanne Farrell Ballet as a principle dancer. Under her coaching, Mr. Du danced some of the most important works created by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins and Maurice Bejart.

In 2008, after his illustrious performing career, Mr. Du accepted a lecturer position from the Dance Department of the Towson University where he teaches Ballet Technique to the top level BFA Majors. He also teaches Ballet Repertory, Men’s Ballet Technique, Partnering, and is the Artistic Director of the Towson Dance Company for the fall semester. In the Dance Department, Mr. Du plays a major role in creating a curriculum structure of male dancers. He has written a brand new course DANC 343 Ballet for Men to train ballet technique in college.

Mr. Du joined the American Dance Institute faculty in 2009 and was the Artistic Director of the ADI Ballet School from 2010 to the spring of 2015. He also formed Ballet ADI, the resident company of American Dance Institute in 2010. The company produces two highly acclaimed productions each year since its creation. In 2010, he completed an entire production of The Nutcracker for the ADI School students. The School performed The Nutcracker annually in ADI Theater as well as benefit performances in Children’s Inn at NIH and Walter Reed Amy and Naval Hospital in Bethesda MD. In 2016, along with his wife Erin Du, Mr. Du created and successfully launched ADI’s Future Artists Initiative to promote and support diversity in dance. Mr. Du has been a guest artist and guest teacher nationally and internationally. His choreographic work has also been presented in various companies, festivals, and competitions, including YAGP, VelocityDC Dance Festival and the Millennium Stage at The John F. Kennedy for the Performing Arts Center. Mr. Du is married to long time professional partner, Erin Du, and is blessed with two daughters.