Ms. MeiLu

Ms. MeiLu started dancing at age 4 in Tianjin, China, and received full-time academic ballet training at the Tianjin Art School from age 11. She was awarded a scholarship to the Beijing Dance Academy, and graduated with degrees in Performance Ballet and Ballet Education. She danced with the National Ballet of China for 8 years, with leading roles in Maurice Bejart’s Firebird, Carmen, and In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated. With the National Ballet of China, Zhai performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages across 11 countries, including the Paris Opera House, the Royal Opera House in London, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., and was the opening act at the Edinburgh Arts Festival. Her performance repertoire includes Natalia Makarova’s Swan Lake, Roland Petit’s Carmen and L’Arlesienne, joint productions of Eugene Onegin and Romeo and Juliet with the Stuttgart Ballet, a joint production of Sylvia with Paris Opera, and original National Ballet of China productions of Raise the Red Lantern working with film director Zhang Yimou, Peony Pavilion and Red Detachment of Women. Zhai is currently Principal dancer and instructor with IPB and Yaya Dance Academy and lives in San Diego CA.