1ST POSITION DANCE ACADEMY
MEET OUR TEAM
Having been born and raised in the vibrant and widely diverse province of Guangxi, China, Kevin Luo's life was profoundly shaped by the rich multicultural influences surrounding him from an early age. He was captivated by the mesmerizing art of Chinese dance, and embarked on a journey beginning in 1992 to master this rich and historic form of artistic expression. His dedication and passion for Chinese dance led him to enroll at the prestigious Art School of Guangxi, where he underwent the rigorous training to become a professionanl dancer. Following his graduation, Kevin was honored to be selected as a principal dancer at Songcheng Performance in Hangzhou in 1998, allowing him to share the beauty and grace of this traditional art form with audiences from around the world.
To expand his intellectual and professional horizons, Kevin made the life-changing decision to move to the United States. Attending California State University at Sacramento, he obtained a bachelor's degree in accounting, expanding his skillset in an area that prepared him for the business aspect of the arts.
Kevin's commitment to bridging cultures and fostering a greater understanding of China's rich heritage has been a driving force in his life. He began teaching dance to small groups, and in 2020, Kevin founded the 1st Position Dance Academy in Elk Grove, California. His mission with the Academy is to share the historic and cultural breadth and depth of Chinese dance with the broadest audience. The programs are designed to inspire others to embrace the diversity that enriches lives and communities, forging connections that transcend borders, ethnicities, and cultures as we celebrate our shared humanity.
Ran Tan began her professional dance training at the age of 12. After graduating from dance school with top honors, she continued her studies at the Beijing Central Institute of Cultural Management. During this time, she performed at high-profile events broadcast by China Central Television and Beijing Television, and at the Great Hall of the People, gaining extensive stage experience. She also won numerous awards in dance competitions in Shandong Province and Beijing.
Ran Tan then pursued a degree in Dance Education at Tianjin Conservatory of Music, specializing in Chinese classical dance and Chinese ethnic and folk dance. She earned her bachelor's degree while studying under Professor Ying Sun, the founder of Han-Tang Dance at the Beijing Dance Academy, and renowned dancer Kun Wang. Throughout her studies, she was frequently recognized as an outstanding student and received several professional scholarships.
With over two decades of teaching experience, Ran Tan is known for her rigorous, dedicated, and innovative teaching style. She tailors her methods to the individual needs of her students, helping them achieve excellence. In China, she earned the Beijing Dance Academy Chinese Dance Grading Examination Teacher Qualification Certificate. Many of her students have been admitted to prestigious institutions such as the Beijing Dance Academy, earning her multiple Excellent Teacher Awards.
For the past fifteen years, Ran Tan has been teaching in the United States, working at various dance schools in the Bay Area. She has led her students to win top awards in major national dance competitions, including KAR, Revolution, Rainbow, IDC, and Spotlight.
Zhongqing Ji graduated from Heilongjiang Provincial Arts College with a major in acrobatics and magic. During his studies, he earned prestigious accolades, including the Gold Medal at the 3rd National Children's Acrobatics Competition and was the sole recipient of the Gold Medal at the 2nd Grenoble International Circus Festival in France.
Following graduation, he joined the Heilongjiang Acrobatic Troupe and is recognized as a National-level performer in China, as well as a member of the China Acrobats Association. He has represented China in cultural exchange performances across many countries, including the United States, France, Russia, Portugal, Denmark, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Thailand.
Zhongqing was a key participant in the opening ceremony of the 13th Chinese Winter Sports Games in 2016. He served as a coach and team leader for the Harbin sub-venue performances of “Ice and Snow Dream” and “Heaven and Earth in Spring” during the 2017 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, and for the “Ice and Snow Carnival” on CCTV's Comprehensive Channel in 2018.
His creation, "Dynamic Africa: Trampoline Hoops," won the First Prize in the 2018 Heilongjiang Province “Quyi, Acrobatics, Puppetry, and Shadow Play Competition” for creative works. Additionally, his directed programs “Heart Sea Calm Waves” and “Forest Sea Snow Plain” were awarded the First Heilongjiang Province Literary and Art Elegance Award.
Currently, he teaches tumbling at 1st Position Dance Academy. With a solid foundation in his field and extensive teaching experience, he is known for his high standards, pursuit of perfection, and ability to uncover and nurture students' potential. His rigorous yet encouraging approach is highly valued by both students and parents.
LIHUA QIAN
DANCE INSTRUCTOR
ZHONGQING JI
TUMBLING INSTRUCTOR
Lihua Qian graduated from Shanghai Dance Academy, where she majored in ballet, Chinese classical dance, and Chinese ethnic and folk dance. After graduating, she joined the renowned Shanghai Dance Theatre as a soloist. During her tenure with the troupe, she toured internationally, performing in various countries, and delivered a stunning solo performance in the television series "Fengshenbang."
Upon moving to the United States, Lihua Qian dedicated herself to teaching dance to both children and adults. She has held senior teaching and supervisory roles at several dance schools, including the Chinese Performing Arts Academy and Yao Yong Dance Academy in the Bay Area.
With a solid foundation in dance and extensive teaching experience, Qian Lihua is particularly noted for her unique and effective methods in teaching children's dance. She is highly regarded and beloved by her students and their families for her expertise and passion in dance education.
KEVIN LUO
FOUNDER &
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
HUANYU DOU
FOUNDER &
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Huanyu Dou was born and grew up in China, and graduated from the prestigious Beijing Normal University. She received training in music, focusing on classical piano, starting in childhood and describes this passion as influencing her life course. Prior to moving to the US, she worked as a journalist covering news and arts in China and Asia. She lived in a community of artists and had the unique opportunity to interact with artists of every genre, from playrights and actors, to sculptors, designers, and musicians. This experience gave her a rich understanding of the commonalities that unite artists, enrich their lives and inform their work.
Huanyu moved to the US and after taking a few initial students for piano coursework, she discovered her passion for music education and her ability to work well with students of all ages, helping them achieve mastery. She has been involved in music education in California for over two decades and has served in policymaking, administrative, and community leadership positions throughout that time. She is the Vice President of Sacramento Chapter of the California Association of Professional Music Teachers, working in that capacity to expand programming and opportunities for students across the region. She served as the President of the Chinese New Year Culture Association in 2023 and continues as a board member. Huanyu co-founded 1st Position Dance Academy based on her interest in strengthening the experience of Chinese culture and arts heritage among the diverse community of greater Sacramento. She has been thrilled to see the excitement of students from all backgrounds as they develop a love of dance, along with self-confidence and teamwork.
RAN TAN
DANCE INSTRUCTOR