Our City, Your Ballet: Yaoqian Shang

Tell us about your role at Birmingham Royal Ballet.

My name is Yaoqian Shang, and I'm a Principal Dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet. I've been with the Company since 2013, so this year marks 13 years of dancing and performing here. It's been an incredible journey, and I'm proud to have grown both as an artist and as a person during my time with BRB.

As a Principal Dancer, every day is different, but it always begins with Company class at 10.30am. Rehearsals usually start at midday and can continue until 6.30pm, unless we have a performance that evening, when our schedule finishes a little earlier to allow time to prepare for the show. It's a demanding routine, but stepping onto the stage makes all the hard work worthwhile.

What has been one of your most memorable moments with the Company?

One of my most memorable moments was the opening night of Black Sabbath – The Ballet at Birmingham Hippodrome. Having Tony Iommi performing live with us made the evening feel truly extraordinary, and the audience's reaction was unlike anything I've ever experienced in a theatre. The atmosphere was electric, and it's a performance I'll never forget.

What do you love most about Birmingham?

When I first moved to Birmingham, I was pleasantly surprised by the city's large Chinese community. As someone from China, it was wonderful to discover so many authentic Chinese restaurants and shops that reminded me of home. It's one of the things that has made settling in Birmingham so easy, and I've really enjoyed building a life here over the past 13 years.

What makes Birmingham Royal Ballet's audiences so special?

Our audiences are always incredibly warm and supportive. Whether we're performing a brand-new production or bringing back a much-loved favourite, you can feel their enthusiasm and appreciation from the stage. Their encouragement inspires us to keep growing as artists and to continue creating work that connects with people.

What would you say to someone who thinks ballet isn't for them?

I'd encourage them to give ballet a chance. It's an art form that has endured for centuries because it has the power to move, inspire and bring people together. In a world that's changing so quickly, with advances in technology and so much happening around us, I think we all need art in our lives. Ballet reminds us of our shared humanity, celebrates beauty and emotion, and feeds the soul in a way that few things can.