Dancer, choreographer, creator, producer, and educator Qi Zhang was born into artist influence. Her mother an actor, her father a musician, and grandfather a traditional watercolorist provided Qi an environment of profound artist stimulus and expression as a child. A lasting impression that would inevitably inspire and guide Qi as she embraced her own artist expression and development.

Qi began her artist career at age 11, studying dance in Liaoning, China. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance and Education from the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy in China, studying both classical Chinese and modern dance. Upon graduation Qi was chosen as principal dancer for the Beijing Youth Dance Troupe.  Qi remained with this professional troupe for 4 years as featured dancer in many international productions including Japan, Italy, Germany, and North America, South Korea among others.

As a principal dancer, she performed many major pieces including "The Beauty Fish," "Butterfly Lovers," "Dream of the Red Chamber," "Yellow River,""Great Wall" "Emperor Xuan Yuna"  Puccini's "Turandot," etc.

Qi professional abilities and artist achievement have awarded her numerous honors including the "Wenhua Award" for best performance, presented by the Chinese National Government and the Chinese Minister of Culture, it is among the highest award presented a professional artist throughout China. "Silver Medal Award" for Chinese classical solo performance during National Dance Competition held in China every 3 years. 

Qi abilities and experience as both producer and choreographer are evident. Successfully creating many solo, ensemble and multi-media productions including "Annealing China," "Again," "Reflection," "6 Years," and the multi-media production "Beyond Time."

Qi exceptional talents extend beyond the dance world collaborating with celebrated world renowned artist such as, conductor for the New York Philamonic Zubin Mehta, film director Zhang Yimo, (Raise the Red Lantern, Hero), film and stage composer William Goldstien, jazz legend Wadda Leo Smith, MacArthur "Genius" Fellow award composer Bright Chen, Academy award winning director Allan Miller and choreographer Cristyne Lawson.



Qi solo dance performance in Puccini's Italian opera "Turandot", directed by Zhang Yimo, under the musical direction of Zubin Mehta, with performances in Florence, Italy, was featured in a documentary by two time Academy award winning director Allan
Miller, appearing throughout North America on NBC, HBO, and PBS. 

Ms. Zhang Artistic director of Qi Zhang Dance Studio. Qi has provided master class, and lectures at California Institute of the Arts, CSSSA, Beijing Dance Academy, SIAS International University.  In 2006, Qi received an award from the Asia and Europe Foundation to share her creativity and collaborate with other international artists in Warsaw, Poland.  In 2007, Qi was invited to work as the creative director of the movements and choreographer for the international animated 3D feature film "Olympia".

Qi Zhang most recently choreographed the San Diego Repertory Theater production" The Oldest Boy" which opened on November 16. 2015  Her ability to adapt the original production which was opened at the Lincoin Center in New York to the stage at Lyceum in San Diego was a chanllange she trully enjoyed.  

"Gorgeous! Extremely imaginative and hypnotically beautiful." —VARIETY

"Bewitching, seriously moving and ingenious." — NEWSDAY

Ms. Zhang earned her Masters of Fine Arts degree in Dance, Choreography and Production, graduating as scholarship recipient and top of her class from the School of Dance at California Institute of the Arts.