Former Artistic Director Li Cunxin AO has been presented with the Prix de Lausanne 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award in Switzerland.
The award recognises his exceptional career from overcoming adversity early in life, to his rise as a celebrated dancer before leading Queensland Ballet to global success.
Known as the most prestigious ballet competition in the world, the Prix de Lausanne has been presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to a dancer or choreographer who has made an outstanding contribution to the ballet world since 2017. Other notable recipients include Wayne McGregor and Alessandra Ferri.
Li Cunxin’s life story is a testament to overcoming adversity through discipline and perseverance.
Born into extreme poverty in Mao’s China, Li was eleven years old when he was selected to study at the prestigious and demanding Beijing Dance Academy. His seven years of harsh training, combined with his unwavering discipline and hunger to learn, saw him become one of the best male dancers in the world. Li enjoyed a long career as a Principal Artist with Houston Ballet and then The Australian Ballet. He also guested with internationally renowned ballet companies.
Li transitioned from dance to finance, excelling as a senior manager in one of Australia’s largest stockbroking firms. Never far from the world of dance, in 2013 he became Artistic Director of Queensland Ballet. His work saw him transform the company from a small regional ballet company to a globally recognised institution.
Under Li’s tenure Queensland Ballet experienced huge growth, moving from a company of approximately 20 dancers to 60. This included a world-class young artists program of 12 dancers – the Jette Parker Young Artists Program. Li’s ambition and drive saw the development of the Academy’s standalone, dedicated facility at Kelvin Grove. It also saw the $100 million renovation of QB’s home, the Thomas Dixon Centre, complete with state-of-the-art theatre and cultural hub.
Director of Development and Endowment, Rachael Walsh said Li’s input was an amazing chapter in Queensland Ballet’s history.
“Li Cunxin AO’s leadership was instrumental in elevating Queensland Ballet to new heights, shaping the company into a world-leading institution, attracting top talent and building audiences. His dedication to excellence and fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration has set the stage for continued growth and success for Queensland Ballet in the years to come.
“We are grateful for his unwavering commitment to excellence and his enduring legacy that will continue to inspire generations of dancers and arts enthusiasts. In 2025 Li returns to leadership as Chair of our Endowment Committee, working with our team to ensure Queensland Ballet enjoys a sustainable and vibrant future,” she said.
Li’s popular 2003 autobiography, Mao’s Last Dancer, became an international bestseller before being adapted into a blockbuster film. Li’s extraordinary career has seen him receive many awards and honours. In 2016 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Griffith University for services to ballet, the arts and wider community. In 2019 he was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia.
Academy student Xavier Xué Barriga was one of 86 dancers from 22 countries competing at the Prix de Lausanne. Australia did not make the list of prize winners this year. The winning scholarship went to YounJae Park from South Korea. The United States, United Kingdom and Japan also did well in the 2025 competition.
Pre-Professional Student Maya Irimichi was also at the Prix, participating in the Partner School Choreographic Project. Maya had the opportunity to work on Our Common Fate, an original piece with Jessica Lang. It was performed during the Soirée Chorégraphique, the Finals’ Interlude Performance and the Rising Stars closing event on Sunday 9 February.
The complete list of Prix de Lausanne winners for 2025 can be found here.
The video of Li’s award ceremony can be viewed here. More about Li Cunxin’s extraordinary story can be found here.
Website: https://www.queenslandballet.com.au/
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Photo credit: Li Cunxin AO, supplied by Queensland Ballet
