Chan Hon Goh, C.M. D.Litt (

simplified Chinese Simplification, Simplify, or Simplified may refer to: Mathematics Simplification is the process of replacing a mathematical expression by an equivalent one, that is simpler (usually shorter), for example * Simplification of algebraic expressions, ...

: 吴振红;

traditional Chinese A tradition is a belief or behavior (folk custom) passed down within a group or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past. A component of cultural expressions and folklore, common examples include holidays ...

: 吳振紅; born in 1969 in Beijing, China), is a Chinese-born Canadian ballerina. Goh was most notably a

principal dancer A principal dancer (often shortened to principal) is a dancer at the highest rank within a professional dance company, particularly a ballet company. A principal may be male or female. The position is similar to that of '' soloist''; however, p ...

with

The National Ballet of Canada The National Ballet of Canada is a Canadian ballet company that was founded in 1951 in Toronto, Ontario, with Celia Franca as the first artistic director. A company of 70 dancers with its own orchestra, the National Ballet has been led since 2022 ...

before going on to become a published author, director, teacher, executive producer, and entrepreneur.

Early life

Chan Hon Goh was born in 1969 Beijing, China to Choo Chiat Goh and Lin Yee Goh. Both of her parents were Principal Dancers with The National Ballet of China and her uncle,

Choo San Goh Goh Choo San (; 14 September 1948 – 28 November 1987) was a Singaporean ballet dancer and choreographer whose decade-long association with The Washington Ballet brought that company international acclaim. Childhood The son of Goh Kim Lok (1904 ...

, was an acclaimed

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

choreographer and Associate Director of the Washington Ballet. In 1976, during the height of political unrest, they left China for

Vancouver Vancouver ( ) is a major city in western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the ...

British Columbia British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...

, where they established the Goh Ballet Academy. In Vancouver, Chan Hon Goh took her first ballet class at age 9. By age 13, Goh was training in Goh Ballet’s Professional Division and went on to perform as part of their Youth Company and at various international competitions. During her time as a student, Goh became the first Canadian to be awarded a prize at The Royal Academy of Dance’s Genée International Ballet Competition and the Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland.

Career

Stage career

Chan Hon Goh began her professional career with The National Ballet of Canada in 1988. She progressed to Second Soloist in 1990, to First Soloist in 1992 and in 1994, Ms. Goh became the first ever Principal Dancer of Chinese heritage in the company’s history. During her stage career, Goh danced lead roles in ballets such as Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Onegin and the title roles in Giselle, Madame Butterfly and La Sylphide. Of particular note was her extensive Balanchine repertoire. Goh had multiple roles created for her at The National Ballet of Canada. She was chosen to perform in the company’s premieres of works by contemporary choreographers

John Neumeier John Neumeier (born February 24, 1939) is an American ballet dancer, choreographer, and director. He has been the director and chief choreographer of Hamburg Ballet since 1973. Five years later he founded the Hamburg Ballet School, which also in ...

, Christopher Wheeldon, and Jirí Kylián, among others. Goh frequently appeared as a Principal Guest Artist with the Suzanne Farrell Ballet (Kennedy Center for Performing Arts) and with major ballet companies in Europe, Australia, North America and Asia. Dancers Goh has partnered with include Vladimir Malakov,

Peter Boal Peter Boal is artistic director of Pacific Northwest Ballet and director of its affiliated school in Seattle, Washington. He was born in Bedford, New York, in 1965 and began studies at the School of American Ballet (SAB) at age nine. Boal assume ...

and Johan Kolberg. Over two decades later, on May 31, 2009, Chan Hon Goh danced her farewell performance as Giselle at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto with The National Ballet of Canada.

Career off-stage

Along with her husband Chun Che (also a former Principal Dancer with The National Ballet of China), in 1996 Goh launched her own shoe brand "Principal by Chan Hon Goh®." The company manufactures pointe shoes and dance slippers. Chan Hon Goh is also a published author. In 2002, Goh's autobiography (co-written with

Cary Fagan Cary Fagan (born 1957) is a Canadian writer of novels, short stories, and children's books. His novel, ''The Student,'' was a finalist for the Toronto Book Award and the Governor General's Literary Award. Previously a short-story collection, ''My ...

) entitled Beyond the Dance: A Ballerina's Life was released by Random House. The book was a finalist for the

Norma Fleck Award The Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction is a lucrative literary award founded in May 1999 by the Fleck Family Foundation and the Canadian Children's Book Centre, and presented to the year's best non-fiction book for a youth aud ...

for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction and The Rocky Mountain Book Awards. In 2010 Chan Hon Goh became the director of the Goh Ballet Academy. In 2019, Chan Hon Goh opened a second studio location in Toronto, Goh Ballet Bayview. For the past 20 years, Goh has been an honorary advisor to the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto.

Awards and honours

Chan Hon Goh’s accomplishments have garnered several awards including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the YWCA Women of Distinction Award, the New Pioneers Arts Award and the Best Teacher Award at the World Ballet Competition. In 2019, Goh was appointed as a member to the Order of Canada for her excellence in ballet as a principal dancer, artistic director and cultural ambassador. Goh was recognized as the recipient of an honorary degree from the University of British Columbia for her significant contributions to society.

References

External links

Dance like Everyone is Watching

Chan Hon Goh
{{DEFAULTSORT:Goh, Chan-hon 1969 births Living people Date of birth missing (living people) Canadian ballerinas Chinese emigrants to Canada National Ballet of Canada dancers Naturalized citizens of Canada People from Vancouver Prix de Lausanne winners Vancouver Academy of Music alumni People from Beijing Chinese ballerinas