On February 14th, long-time Principal Dancer Yuan Yuan Tan will retire from the stage dancing as Marguerite in Frederick Ashton’s Marguerite and Armand with Aaron Robison.
For almost three decades, Tan has been a fixture at San Francisco Ballet rising to the top of the ranks in 1997, making her the youngest dancer to ever reach that status in the company.
“I am indebted to my mentors and teachers, whose wisdom, encouragement, and belief in my potential have been instrumental in my success,” said Ms. Tan.
“To my dancer colleagues and collaborators, thank you for the shared moments of triumph. Through collective dedication and hard work we have created a legacy that goes beyond individual accomplishments.
Finally, to the San Francisco audiences over the last three decades, I express my sincere thanks. Your belief in me has been a driving force, and I am grateful for the inspiration you have provided.
As I reflect on the years gone by and enter the next stage of my career, I am reminded of the importance of contributing to the growth and success of others and inspired to continue making a positive impact in ballet and beyond.”
Yuan Yuan Tan and Aaron Robison Rehearsal
About Yuan Yuan Tan
Yuan Yuan Tan has had an extensive career as a ballerina at San Francisco Ballet, her repertoire comprised of nearly one hundred contemporary, neoclassical, and classical ballets. She is most well-known and appreciated for her interpretations as the title character in Giselle, Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, and Odette/Odile in Swan Lake.
She has danced in works choreographed by:
- George Balanchine
- Sir Kenneth MacMillan
- John Neumeier
- Christopher Wheeldon
- Helgi Tomasson
- Yuri Possokhov
- Edwaard Liang
- Wayne McGregor
Shanghai born, Tan has maintained a close connection to the arts community in her country, serving as the artistic director and co-choreographer for the Tan Yuan Yuan and Her Friends production in China since 2022 as well as establishing the Tan Yuan Yuan International Ballet Art Studio in partnership with the Shanghai Theater Academy in 2016.
Her international reach goes beyond being a dancer; Tan is also a teacher, speaker, and published author. These accomplishments combined has earned her two Mayor of San Francisco Art Awards (2018 and 2022) and the following recognition by former San Francisco Mayor Mark Farrell:
“Her grace, skill, versatility, and strength have helped her become the first Chinese prima ballerina in the United States and one of the greatest Chinese ballerinas of all time. She has gracefully served as cultural ambassador for San Francisco and the United States. We are immensely grateful for her contributions to our city’s cultural history.”
Tan received SF Ballet’s inaugural Silver Artists Society award in 2022, recognizing her 27th anniversary with the Company and longstanding contributions to SF Ballet.
All performances of Marguerite and Armand will take place at War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco.
- February 9 @ 8:00PM
- February 10 @ 2:00PM and 8:00PM
- February 11 @ 2:00PM
- February 13 @ 7:30PM
- February 14 @ 7:30PM
- February 15 @ 7:30PM
Featured Photo of San Francisco Ballet’s Yuan Yuan Tan in Liam Scarlett’s Hummingbird // © Erik Tomasson
