Principal

Susan Wang, the principal and founder of the Queensland World Dance Academy, began her journey in China. With degrees from Central Minzu University of China, Shanxi Institute of Performing Arts, and the Beijing Dance Academy, she has shone as a principal dancer with top companies such as the Beijing Navy Performing Arts Troupe, Inner Mongolian Dance Troupe, and Xinjiang Province Dance Troupe. Her diverse talents also led her to film, where she served as assistant director of the Pearl River Film Company.

Susan’s remarkable contributions to dance have earned her impressive awards, including the First Prize in Choreography at the Xinjiang Province Dance Competition and the title of Best Young Dance Artist from the China Association of Dance. Susan also studied under the renowned American dancer and educator Finis Jhung, deepening her expertise in classical ballet instruction.

Upon relocating to Australia, Susan furthered her education with a Bachelor of Arts, double-majoring in Communication and Media Studies and Theatre and Drama. She followed that with a Master of Arts in Dance from the Queensland University of Technology. Her academic achievements paved the way for a distinguished career as a guest lecturer and choreographer at institutions such as the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Edith Cowan University, Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts, Queensland University of Technology, and the Queensland Academy for Creative Industries. She has also been a sought-after Artistic Director for major national events, including the 2008 Brisbane Beijing Olympics Grand Opening and the Brisbane-Chongqing Sister City Celebration.

Susan’s artistic spirit has been supported by five Professional and Creative Development Grants from the Western Australia Department for the Arts, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Australia Council for the Arts. These grants facilitated her studies in Japan, the creation of her acclaimed production Modern Eastern Dance Choreography and supported her representation of Australia at the prestigious Beijing International Dance Festival with her postmodern work Wind of Three Seasons.

In 1994, Susan founded the Queensland World Dance Academy, where she continues to shape the future of dance. In 2007, she pioneered two accredited vocational education training courses—Certificate IV and Diploma in Western and Eastern Dance Performance—showcasing her innovative approach and dedication to nurturing new talent. Partnering with distinguished faculty from the Beijing Dance Academy, Susan’s courses continue to influence the next generation of artists.

Susan Wang remains a dynamic force in the dance community, continually inspiring and redefining the art form through her leadership and creative brilliance.