Chongqing - With the city as her stage, the dancer Xie Kun embodies the essence of contemporary dance. Dancing freely and fearlessly, she and her students prove that the art of movement knows no boundaries. 

Xie Kun, a 36-year-old dancer, thinks everyone is born to be a dancer. (Photo/Liu Li)

An extraordinary dance class takes place in a dance studio surrounded by black curtains on three sides, with 13 students of varying ages, careers, and dance levels. The class is inclusive, featuring a diverse group, including a 60-year-old square-dancing auntie, a first grader, a male art teacher, and a campus couple. Despite their differences, they all share an unspoken understanding – “I may not dance beautifully, but right now, I’m confident and I’m enjoying the moment.”

Xie Kun’s students are significantly distinguishing in terms of their ages, careers, and dance levels. (Photo/Liu Li)

This unique teaching style is the charm of their dance teacher, who views it as the essence of contemporary dance. 

Dance therapy without judgment

Born in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, a neighbor of Chongqing, the 36-year-old Xie fell in love with dancing as a shy child and has pursued it passionately ever since. She believes contemporary dance is not bound by prescribed patterns like classical or folk dance but focuses on emotional expression and boundlessness – where the body moves freely without limitations.

Xie Kun and her students are dancing in a studio. (Photo/Liu Li)

The city dancer’s students admire her for encouraging them to relax and heal through dance without fear of judgment or limitations. She firmly believes everyone is born to be a dancer, and one doesn’t have to be a professional to enjoy dancing.

Life is like a dance

Since the teacher doesn’t restrict her students, their stage becomes anywhere they wish to dance – a bustling square, a quiet studio, the riverside, or any corner of Chongqing. She finds this city a perfect blend of nature and humanity, inspiring her dance creations.

Xie Kun is dancing by the river, feeling this city with her senses and creating new dance works inspired by local elements of this city. (Photo/Liu li)

Her plans include the youth dance exhibition, a platform for dancers to exchange their original works. Despite facing doubts from others, Xie Kun remains steadfast in her dream of promoting contemporary dance. Her belief in the evolving inclusive taste of people and the diversity of art keeps her going.

She envisions establishing a contemporary dance troupe in Chongqing, where dancers can continue pursuing their passion beyond the traditional stage with sparkling lights. Xie Kun’s determination and calmness in the face of doubts inspire her students to embrace their love for dancing and express themselves freely.

(Liu Yujing, as an intern, also contributed to this report.)