Celebrating Li


After 11 years at the helm of Queensland Ballet, our visionary Artistic Director, Li Cunxin, will step down at the end of 2023.

We invite you to share your messages of gratitude.

In 2013, Li Cunxin arrived at Queensland Ballet studios in Brisbane filled with dreams, drive, and an ambition to make an extraordinary impact.

Devoted to artistic excellence, his international reputation alongside a remarkable skill set and intense passion for the artform has elevated Queensland Ballet to new heights and firmly placed the Company on the world stage. 

We invite you to share your messages of gratitude. 

##Celebrate Li with a message using #QBcelebratingLi

#Li's Legacy

A world-class ensemble of 48 dancers.

A world-class young artists program of 12 dancers – the Jette Parker Young Artists Program.

A world-stage repertoire.

70 Company seasons, 880+ performances and 565,000+ tickets sold.

A world-class Academy in its standalone, dedicated home at Kelvin Grove State College.

A world-class Thomas Dixon Centre, home to Queensland Ballet, second home to our Academy and a cultural hub and destination for people of all ages and abilities.

The foundations for a world-class Production facility, the Roy and Nola Thompson Production Centre at Yatala, Gold Coast.

A growing Health and Community program, delivering real impact across the State.

A stable culture of giving through corporate partnerships and visionary donors.

Possibly most impressive, is that despite the global pandemic, floods and so much more, Queensland Ballet has been able to maintain meaningful jobs and engagement for our artists and artworkers. This is something to truly celebrate.


Continuing Li's legacy

Continuing Li's legacy

Many of you have asked us if you could leave a donation to honour Li. Amongst Li’s numerous contributions to Queensland Ballet, he is incredibly proud of our Company’s commitment to nurturing our young artists of the future. Unsurprisingly therefore, Li has requested that your donations are directed towards our Jette Parker Young Artist Program and Queensland Ballet Academy. Thank you for honouring Li in this way.

#Highlights from Li's tenure

Take a look at some of the highlights from Li's 11 years of magic at Queensland Ballet


2013

2013

A vision to create momentum

· All Brisbane performances sold out
· Tripled season ticket sales
· 160% rise in philanthropy and sponsorships from 2012
· Established Ben Steveon's The Nutcracker as an annual Christmas tradition, a ritual embraced by world-leading ballet companies across the globe
· Established live orchestral music for all full-length ballets through major philanthropic efforts

2014

2014

Rising to the challenge

· Launched the Jette Parker Young Artist Program enabled by Jette and Alan Parker through the Oak Foundation
· Queensland Ballet presents the Australian première of Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo & Juliet. Only a small number of companies around the world have been granted permission by Lady Deborah MacMillan

“It was my dream to see Queensland Ballet perform a work by the late, great Sir Kenneth MacMillan. I am so very grateful to Lady Deborah MacMillan for having trusted the Company to do justice to one of his most spectacular works, Romeo & Juliet.”

2015

2015

Enriching lives through ballet

· First Queensland Ballet tour to London

“There are moments of great pride as I look over the last three years. One such moment was when the curtain went up on Peter Schaufuss’ La Sylphide at the historic Coliseum Theatre. Over seven performances our dancers made their mark upon the world stage. The tour was an unforgettable experience for us all, including the enthusiastic group of supporters who were able to join us.”

· Greg Horsman’s The Sleeping Beauty breaks Queensland Ballet box office records

2016

2016

The golden age for Queensland Ballet

· Queensland Ballet rebrands its training programs and establishes the Queensland Ballet Academy with Christian Tátchev as Academy Director, recognising the extent of the Company’s commitment to nurturing young talent and training excellent. The strength of the program reflected in the growth of enrolments
· Queensland Ballet presents Midsummer Night’s Dream - a co-production with Royal New Zealand Ballet renowned choreographer Liam Scarlett
· Derek Deane’s Strictly Gershwin becomes the Company's highest selling production to date

2017

2017

A year of love stories

· Swan Lake smashes the previous box office record set and becomes the highest box office record ever achieved for a single production
· Li returns to the stage for The Nutcracker – his first appearance for 18 years since his retirement

“Eighteen years after retiring from the stage meant a lot of work to get back to performance fitness - mentally and physically. I think the most enduring impact of this return to the stage for me was a renewed appreciation and respect for our dancers and what they do every day.”

2018

2018

Every ballet starts with a dream

· November was a milestone moment for Queensland Ballet that saw the Company stage productions simultaneously in two countries, speaking volumes about the growth in size, capability and talent. On the same night in November, we opened both A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Shanghai and the contemporary season of Bespoke at home in Brisbane.

2019

2019

We are bold in our vision

· New world-class Queensland Ballet Academy facility begins construction at Kelvin Grove State College
· Inaugural Giving Day results in more than $2.17 million raised, used to fit out the Academy with ballet barres, pianos, sound equipment, physio and Pilates equipment, and other apparatus the young dancers required
· Reinforced commitment to programming new Australian works, including children’s ballet The Little Green Road to Fairyland by Paul Boyd, co-produced with Queensland Music Festival
· Queensland Ballet presents Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo & Juliet

2020

2020

A year of memories

· Following the postponement of Season 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Queensland Ballet launched 60 dancers: 60 stories
· The project raises more than $1 million to ‘Keep the Magic Alive’ while the Company is unable to perform due to pandemic restrictions
· New state-of-the-art Queensland Ballet Academy facility opens its doors with an official ceremony attended by Education Minister and McConnel MP Grace Grace, the Governor of Queensland, and Kelvin Grove State College Executive Principal Llew Paulger

2021

2021

A triumphant return to the stage

· Queensland Ballet returns to the stage to audience and critical acclaim with the 60th Anniversary Gala, after the postponement of Season 2020 to 2021
· Li announces plans for the new Roy and Nola Thompson Production Centre on the Gold Coast, after purchasing land at Yatala thanks to a generous donation from the philanthropists
· Queensland Ballet signs two-year partnership with Home Of The Arts (HOTA), further cementing a presence on the Gold Coast

2022

2022

· The redeveloped heritage building, the Thomas Dixon Centre, set to open mid-2022, becoming Brisbane’s new cultural hub; the home of Queensland Ballet; and the first performing arts building in the world to be WELL-accredited

“I think what motivates me on a daily basis is not conforming to mediocrity. It’s easy to say well, I’ve done it, I’ve done more than other people, I can stop now. But I just think life is too short, and I’d like to make as much of a contribution as I possibly can in my lifetime.”

#Image gallery

Flick through the archives and enjoy special moments from Li's 11 years as Artistic Director of Queensland Ballet, and reflect on the impact he has made.

Li Cunxin taking Company Class in 2012. Photography Christian Tiger

Li Cunxin taking Company Class in 2012. Photography Christian Tiger

Li Cunxin taking rehearsals for Ben Stevenson's Cinderella in 2013. Photo Christian Tiger

Li Cunxin taking rehearsals for Ben Stevenson's Cinderella in 2013. Photo Christian Tiger

Ben Stevenson and Li Cunxin work with Clare Morehen and Huang Junshaung.

Ben Stevenson and Li Cunxin work with Clare Morehen and Huang Junshaung.

Li Cunxin with Clare Morehen and Huang Jun Shuang in rehearsals for Cinderella in 2013. Photo Christian Tiger

Li Cunxin with Clare Morehen and Huang Jun Shuang in rehearsals for Cinderella in 2013. Photo Christian Tiger

Ben Stevenson and Li Cunxin in studio during Cinderella rehearsals. Photo Christian Tiger

Ben Stevenson and Li Cunxin in studio during Cinderella rehearsals. Photo Christian Tiger

Li Cunxin with Eleanor Thompson on stage at the Empire Theatre in Toowoomba before the curtains goes up on Giselle for the 2013 Regional Tour. Photography David Kelly

Li Cunxin with Eleanor Thompson on stage at the Empire Theatre in Toowoomba before the curtains goes up on Giselle for the 2013 Regional Tour. Photography David Kelly

Artistic Director Li Cunxin backstage before the opening of Ben Stevenon's The Nutcracker in 2013. Photography David Kelly

Artistic Director Li Cunxin backstage before the opening of Ben Stevenon's The Nutcracker in 2013. Photography David Kelly

Queensland Ballet Principal Dancers Meng Ningning and Hao Bin perform in Ben Stevenson's Cinderella in 2013. The first season of Li's 2013 season. Photographer David Kelly

Queensland Ballet Principal Dancers Meng Ningning and Hao Bin perform in Ben Stevenson's Cinderella in 2013 - the first show of Li's season. Photographer David Kelly

Teri Crilly performs as Clara in the first season of Ben Stevenson's The Nutcracker in 2013. Photo David Kelly

Teri Crilly performs as Clara in the first season of Ben Stevenson's The Nutcracker in 2013. Photo David Kelly

The audience during Queensland Ballet's premiere of Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Romeo & Juliet in 2014 at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC

The audience during Queensland Ballet's premiere of Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Romeo & Juliet in 2014 at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC

Queensand Ballet - Australian premiere of Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Romeo & Juliet 2014. Photo David Kelly

Queensand Ballet - Australian premiere of Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Romeo & Juliet 2014. Photo David Kelly

Li Cunxin and Peter Schaufuss in the studio for La Sylphide rehearsals in 2015. Photo by Christian Tiger

Li Cunxin and Peter Schaufuss in the studio for La Sylphide rehearsals in 2015. Photo by Christian Tiger

View of packed crowd at the Riverstage in 2014 to view a free performance of Greg Horsman's Coppélia as part of the G20 Cultural Celebrations. Photography Atmosphere Photography

View of packed crowd at the Riverstage in 2014 to view a free performance of Greg Horsman's Coppélia as part of the G20 Cultural Celebrations. Photography Atmosphere Photography

Principal Dancers Yanela Pinera and Camilo Ramos perform in Strictly Gershwin in 2016. Photo David Kelly

Principal Dancers Yanela Pinera and Camilo Ramos perform in Strictly Gershwin in 2016. Photo David Kelly

Principal Dancer Laura Hidalgo performs in Liam Scarlett's Midsummer Nights Dream. Photo David Kelly

Principal Dancer Laura Hidalgo performs in Liam Scarlett's Midsummer Nights Dream. Photo David Kelly

Li taking a member's dance class

Queensland Ballet dancers perform Jack Lister's Rational Animal in the 2017 season of Bespoke. Photo David Kelly

Queensland Ballet dancers perform Jack Lister's Rational Animal in the 2017 season of Bespoke. Photo David Kelly

Li on stage for an AUSLAN post performance Q&A

Li with Queensland Ballet teaching Artists at a QB Junior event

Li as Drosselmyer in The Nutcracker with now Principal Artist, Mia Heathcote in 2017.

Li and former Principal Artist Laura Hidalgo on stage at a notes rehearsal for Liam Scarlett's The Firebird. Also featuring Soloist Vito Bernasconi. 2018.

Breaking ground at the Thomas Dixon Centre at the commencement of refurbishment works in 2019.

Officially opening Queensland Ballet Academy in Kelvin Grove in 2019, alongside The Hon Minister Grace Grace, The Hon Paul de Jersey, and former Principal, Kelvin Grove State College, Llew Paulger.

Li officially opens the newly refurbished Thomas Dixon Centre in 2022.

Li celebrating the opening of Kenneth McMillan's 'Elite Syncopations' in his tenth year as Artistic Director in 2022.

Li celebrates his tenth year as Artistic Director with Queensland Ballet staff and dancers in 2022.

Li fulfils his dream to have performed all three lead male roles in Kenneth McMillan's epic production, Manon. He returned to the stage to play Monsieur GM in 2022.

A special moment in his career, as Li is joined on stage by his wife, Mary, for three special performances of Manon in 2022.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and perform. Long before we performed on this land, it played host to the dance expression of our First Peoples. We pay our respects to their Elders — past, present and emerging — and acknowledge the valuable contribution they have made and continue to make to the cultural landscape of this country.

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