SF Ballet Principal Dancer Yuan Yuan Tan's Final Bow
San Francisco Ballet (SF Ballet) enthusiasts, mark your calendars for a night of pure elegance and emotion as Principal Dancer Yuan Yuan Tan bids farewell to the stage on Wednesday, February 14, at 7:30 pm. Yuan Yuan will be gracing the War Memorial Opera House one last time, portraying the role of Marguerite in Sir Frederick Ashton’s Marguerite and Armand.
As the youngest and first Chinese principal dancer in the company's history, Tan's legacy is one of devotion to dance and a passion for creating art that is both elegant and astonishing.“I am indebted to my mentors and teachers, whose wisdom, encouragement, and belief in my potential have been instrumental in my success,” said Ms. Tan. “To my dancer colleagues and collaborators, thank you for the shared moments of triumph.
Click here to watch our Eat ‘n Arts interview with her from 2019!
SF Ballet Artistic Director Tamara Rojo commended Tan's contribution, stating, “Yuan Yuan has made an extraordinary contribution to San Francisco Ballet and to the global community of artists and has inspired generations of ballerinas and audience members. I look forward to following her future endeavors."
Born in Shanghai, Tan joined SF Ballet as a soloist in 1995 and quickly rose to become a principal dancer in 1997. In total, she has been with the company for 29 years, which is very unprecedented in this day in age. Her repertoire includes nearly 100 classical, neoclassical, and contemporary ballets choreographed by renowned artists. Notably, she has portrayed classical characters like Giselle and Aurora, as well as contemporary characters such as the Little Mermaid and Tatiana.
Beyond the stage, Tan has been an international ambassador of ballet, serving as the artistic director and co-choreographer for the Tan Yuan Yuan and Her Friends production in China since 2002. In 2016, she established the Tan Yuan Yuan International Ballet Art Studio, promoting ballet as a popular art form in China and fostering cultural exchange between the United States and China.
Tan's impact extends beyond performances; she has published ballet books, served as a dance instructor, and given lectures globally. Recognized for her contributions, she received the Mayor of San Francisco Art Award on two occasions, in 2018 and 2022, as well as SF Ballet’s inaugural Silver Artists Society award in 2022.
Her influence reaches far and wide, from being the first Asian dancer in the World Star Show in Prague to featuring on TEDxShanghai and appearing on the cover of Time in 2004. Chelsea Clinton even featured Tan in her 2018 children’s book, She Persisted Around the World, celebrating female leaders in various fields.
As Tan gracefully takes her final bow on February 14, let us celebrate the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for this iconic ballerina! Tickets for Yuan Yuan Tan’s farewell performance can be purchased online at sfballet.org.
Don't miss the opportunity to witness the culmination of a remarkable career that has left an indelible mark on the world of ballet and continues to inspire generations of artists and enthusiasts alike.
Related Articles
SF Dance Film Festival Opens with Tiler Peck's Suspended in Time
The San Francisco Dance Film Festival kicked off this year with an inspiring and emotional opening night featuring Suspending Time , a new documentary about New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck. The screening took place at George Lucas’s San Francisco campus, a space known for hosting some of ...
RCA San Francisco Performance Round-Up: July 2025
Discover the Must-See July Entertainment Guide July is here, ushering in a vibrant array of arts experiences that illuminate the Bay Area. From open-air concerts and groundbreaking theater to summer festivals and daring new performances, this month offers endless opportunities to immerse yourself in creativity.
Unveiling Our First-Ever Red Curtain Addict Arts Guide
Discover the best Bay Area arts experiences with the Red Curtain Addict Arts Guide. Explore top performances, exclusive stories, insider recommendations, and learn how to create your profile on RedCurtainAddict.com to stay connected with the local arts scene. Your spring arts adventure starts here!
Smuin Contemporary Ballet’s Gala Signals a Bold New Era Under Amy Seiwert
Smuin Contemporary Ballet’s recent gala at the San Francisco Design Center wasn’t just a celebration—it was a declaration. The evening marked a pivotal moment in the company’s history as Amy Seiwert officially led her first gala as Artistic Director, becoming only the third person to hold the role in Smuin’s ...
RCA San Francisco Performance Round-Up: October 2024
Discover the Must-See October Entertainment Guide Get an exciting glimpse into the city's vibrant arts scene, featuring a diverse array of theater, opera, jazz and symphonic performances. From captivating new productions to beloved classics, this curated guide highlights must-see shows and events that promise to deliver unforgettable experiences throughout the ...
RCA San Francisco Performance Round-Up: April 2024
Our April Top-Pick Bay Area Performances is here! Get set for another exciting month jam-packed with fantastic entertainment all around the Bay Area! We've rounded up ten must-see performances that promise to dazzle and delight. Check out the lineup below and get ready to dive into a month full of ...
FRAY Shows - San Francisco
Hip Hop Dancing Meets Gaming on the Stage of FRAY If you're looking for a unique and out-of-the box arts experience, you will definitely need to check out FRAY - a groundbreaking performance that combines live hip-hop dance, immersive visuals, music, and… digital games? Yes, you heard us right! Scroll ...
Artist Spotlight: Melissa Becraft
In honor of Women’s History Month, we sat down with the amazing Melissa Becraft to find out more about her journey as a dancer and about the amazing women that inspired her to take a leap of faith. You’ll never believe how she first went viral on TikTok with her stunning choreography!
Cal Performances: Women's History Month
Happy Women’s History Month! To mark this special occasion we’re excited to round up some unique concert experiences featuring women artists, leaders, characters, and more… all of which will be happening at Cal Performances this spring. Scroll below to find out which 3 performances we’re most excited about… In case ...
RCA 2022 Official Holiday Gift Guide
Are you looking for a unique gift for the “Arts Addict” in your life? Or are YOU an arts addict needing gift ideas to share with loved ones this holiday season? We’ve got you covered with our Official 2022 Holiday Gift Guide!
RCA 2022 Holiday Performance Round-Up
The holiday season is in full swing and so are the incredible holiday performances all over the country! We are thrilled to share our city guides with so many opportunities to catch beloved classic holiday tales as well as new stories you will fall in love with.
Don't Miss A Beat!
Join our community today and be the first to know about can't miss events, artist spotlights, and special offers!
Sign up for our newsletter and stay connected today!
Terms of Service
Privacy
© Red Curtain Addict 2025