“I used to want to change the world” —jiabo li
From principal dancer to teacher and studio founder — still dancing, still grounded.
Jiabo Li was once a principal with Hong Kong Ballet. These days, he runs a studio in Shanghai, teaches daily, still gets on stage sometimes — and never stops moving.
“Keep training. Keep loving it. Life’s not that complicated.”
Retirement wasn’t an ending — just a quiet shift from the spotlight to the studio, from leading roles to leading others.
He’s not here to talk about the glory days. He’d rather share stories of waiting in the wings, pushing through illness during rehearsals, or figuring out how to juggle teaching, performing, and managing — all without losing the joy.
“I used to want to change the world,” he says.
“Now I just want to live a little happier.”
The “97 Points” That Started It All
At 11 years old, Jiabo Li got a life-changing phone call — not to him, but to his mom. A ballet school called to say he had “excellent physical conditions,” scoring 97 points — supposedly the highest in the school — and encouraged him to apply to a professional academy.
He said yes. That’s how his ballet journey began.
Months later, chatting with his dormmates, Jiabo mentioned the 97-point score — only to discover every boy in the room had been told the same thing. “It felt like we’d all been tricked,” he laughs. “But back then, boys were rare in ballet schools — they really valued us.”
After graduating from the Far East Ballet School, he was accepted to the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts with a full scholarship. He moved to Hong Kong, finished his studies, and joined Hong Kong Ballet — spending the next 15+ years dancing professionally and building the most important chapter of his career.
The Quiet Work Before the Spotlight
Early on at Hong Kong Ballet, Jiabo spent years preparing roles he never got to perform.
“I learned the prince in Swan Lake over and over — more than ten times. But I never went on stage,” he says with a laugh. “Back then, it felt like I was rehearsing for someone else’s moment.” When you're just starting out in a company, it's common to be part of the second cast — ready to step in if someone gets injured, or when a ballet is restaged later on.
It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t always easy. But he kept showing up.
“When I finally danced Swan Lake, I didn’t need to think. The music, the steps — it was all already in me. Even with a new partner, we could get through the whole piece after just one run.”
to dance is a choice
Looking back on his years as a second cast, Jiabo admits there were moments of doubt. “Sometimes you give everything for a role and still don’t get the chance,” he says.
He’d occasionally ask himself, “What’s the point?”
But that feeling never lasted long. “Dancing brings me so much joy.” One line he said sums it all up: “Eating and sleeping are necessities — everything else is a choice. I chose to dance.”
From the beginning, ballet made him happy, and that was enough. Even after leaving the company, he still practices, watches performances, and explores new ways of teaching. The passion, he says, has never left.
Life After the Company
Leaving the company didn’t mean leaving dance. Jiabo laughs as he recalls that chapter: “It was a highlight in its own way — full of fun experiences that really helped me grow.”
After returning to his hometown Shanghai during the pandemic, he began teaching, then toured over 20 cities with ballerina Tan Yuanyuan. “We danced, traveled, ate great food — it felt like being back in a company.”
He later opened his own studio, Bao Dance, and continued performing, even taking on a lead role in The Legend of the White Snake. Now, he juggles roles as teacher, manager, and performer.
“It’s more work doing everything yourself,” he says, “but it’s also rewarding. I still get to be on stage — and that makes me happy.”
Ballet Is the Fusion of It All
When asked about his teaching philosophy, he doesn’t cite a specific method or school — instead, he talks about blending it all.
“Ballet can be many things. At one level, it's a physical exercise. At another, it’s about character, emotion, and storytelling,” he says. “My job is to bring everything I know together and share the best with my students.”
While technical precision is key — flexibility, control, musicality — he resists training that focuses on tricks alone. “If it’s only about technique, it becomes sport, not art.”
In his classes, you’ll hear about characters, storylines, and music — all of which help students step beyond their comfort zone and connect more deeply with the dance.
Competitions Aren’t the Goal
When asked about today’s young dancers performing complex, technically demanding variations in competitions, Jiabo doesn’t criticize — in fact, he’s supportive.
“I think it’s great,” he says. “Even very young kids showing strong technique in tough variations — that’s a sign of their ability.” For some, starting with a challenge can actually deepen their love for ballet and lead them to explore its many layers over time.
“Ballet isn’t just pointe shoes and turns,” he adds. “There’s pas de deux, character work, acting — it all comes together to create the full picture.”
He’s not against competitions either. “If a dancer can use it to showcase their growth at that stage, that’s a good thing.” Still, what matters most to him is that dancers find joy in the process — and eventually come to see ballet as much more than just steps.
“Should My Child Go Professional?”
Jiabo always smiles when parents ask if their child should pursue ballet seriously.
His answer is simple: “Why not give it a try?”
“You’re already on this path. Just take the next step and see what happens. Auditions are a two-way street — you choose the school, and the school chooses you. If it doesn’t work out, you move on. Don’t overthink it, and don’t fixate on just one option. Sometimes, it’s just about timing and luck.”
His advice is clear and calm: take your passion seriously, but don’t let it weigh you down. That kind of lightness is its own quiet strength.
From “Changing the World” to a Quiet Life Well-Lived
“At this point in life,” Jiabo says with a laugh, “I just want to live peacefully.” There’s no hint of regret — only clarity. “I used to dream of doing something big, something that would change the world. Now, I think being content and happy is enough.”
From dancer to studio director, he’s found his rhythm. “We now have three studios. Kids and adults of all ages come to take classes — not just ballet, but modern and Chinese dance too. Sharing what I know and meeting so many wonderful people — that brings me real joy.” He’s not chasing some distant goal anymore. “Just living life steadily… that’s more than enough for me.”
To Everyone Who Loves Ballet: Let It Be Your Lifelong Companion
At the end of our interview, we asked Jiabo if he had any words for those learning ballet — whether they’re young students or adults who once danced and still hold it close to heart.
His response was simple and sincere: “Whether you're a child or an adult, loving ballet is completely normal — and it’s a beautiful thing. Ballet is a refined art form with a long history. Over time, it’s become something anyone can appreciate. I’ve been dancing since I was a kid, and I’ve never found it strange. I still practice, and I’ll keep sharing my experience. Just keep it with you — no matter your age. Let it be a companion for life.”
“In this industry, everyone seems to be racing against time—
how flexible you are,
how technically strong.
how quickly you can join a company,
how early you become known,
But after hearing Jiabo Li’s story, we’re reminded of something else:
You can dance for a long time—and still enjoy it.
You can retire—and still hold on to your passion.
You don’t have to win right away—you can take your time.
A little more joy.
Sometimes, that’s already enough.
Dance Connects Us shares stories from dancers of all backgrounds and stages, not to set a standard or ideal, but to offer more perspectives, more possibilities, and more inspiration for anyone walking this path.
If you’re on this journey too,
we hope this episode gives you a moment to breathe.”
