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
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
#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 rehearsals for Ben Stevenson's Cinderella in 2013. Photo Christian Tiger
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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.