Kunshan, China – October
From October 2 to 4, 2026, the PDE International Dance Competition was held in Suzhou, China. Two members of the Duke Kunshan University Dance Varsity brought home two Gold Awards — Zidi Gao in ballet and Guanyi Liang in Chinese dance. The two Gold Awards also marked a strong start to the 2026–2027 academic year for DKU Dance Varsity. The achievements came in highly competitive fields. The Chinese Dance team made its debut at the PDE regional competition among 219 entries across all age groups, while the Ballet team earned gold among 559 entries across all age groups.
Zidi Gao Wins Gold in Ballet, While Guanyi Liang Claims Gold in Chinese Dance
Prix d’Europe (PDE) is an international dance competition founded in Paris in 2015. Open to dancers of different ages and levels, it features a wide range of disciplines, including ballet, classical and contemporary dance, as well as traditional Chinese and folk dance. Through regional competitions and higher-level stages in China and Europe, PDE provides dancers with a platform to showcase both technical ability and artistic expression.
For Zidi Gao, this was her first competition representing DKU Dance Varsity and her first return to the competition stage in years. Although she felt nervous before the performance, the moment the music began, she quickly immersed herself in the dance. Even after a few small mistakes near the end, she stayed calm, adjusted her movements, and completed the performance with confidence. The stage itself was also familiar to her. Having performed there many times before, returning as a ballet dancer representing DKU made the experience particularly special. She hopes to continue refining her technique and improving her future performances.
Zidi Gao Poses in Ballet Attire
For Guanyi Liang, this was her first international dance competition since entering university. She recalled feeling nervous before stepping on stage, but once the performance began, those worries disappeared and she became fully immersed in the dance. The competition also gave her the opportunity to observe higher-level dancers, inspiring her to see new directions for future improvement. To Liang, the experience marked “a new beginning” for herself and her teammates in DKU Dance Varsity.
Guanyi Liang Performs Chinese Dance at the PDE International Dance Competition
Behind the two Gold Awards were months of preparation and support. Liang expressed special thanks to DKU Athletics for providing the opportunity to compete, and to Coach Joy (Yue Zhang) for her patient guidance throughout the preparation process. She also thanked her family, classmates, and Zidi Gao, who prepared alongside her for the competition. Gao likewise expressed her gratitude to her coach, the university, and everyone who gave her the opportunity to return to the stage.
Zidi Gao and Guanyi Liang with Coach Joy (Yue Zhang)
For both dancers, the two Gold Awards are not only recognition of their hard work, but also a new starting point. Through their distinct journeys, the two dancers show how dedication, courage, and the support of a team can help dancers grow. As the new academic year gets underway, we look forward to seeing DKU Dance Varsity write its next chapter on stage.
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