A Decade of Dance Brilliance: Yaya Dance Academy’s 10th Annual Gala and “Star of Tomorrow” Competition Shine Bright

— Yaya Dance Academy Celebrates 10th Annual In-House Dance Competition and Gala with Resounding Success

LAPost / Los Angeles, May 24, 2025 — At the PYLUSD Performing Arts Center in Orange County, Yaya Dance Academy (YDA), in collaboration with nonprofit cultural organization The Curtain, successfully held its 10th annual “Star of Tomorrow” in-house dance competition and annual Gala. The two events took place in the afternoon and evening respectively, with over 100 students delivering a vibrant dance showcase of professionalism and artistic dreams to an audience of nearly 600 guests.

The “Star of Tomorrow” competition was open to all YDA students and aimed to provide a stage for dancers of all ages to express themselves and grow through performance. This year’s competition featured over 100 participants ranging in age from 4 to 70, presenting nearly 60 works across a wide variety of styles, including ballet, Chinese classical and folk dance, jazz, contemporary, musical theater, and pop. Performances included solos, duets, and group dances.

All choreography was created and coached by YDA’s 12 professional instructors, showcasing the students’ progress over the past year and reflecting YDA’s high standards in both technical training and artistic expression. Esteemed dance artists Johnathan Sharp and Sadie Black served as judges, awarding honors such as the “Judges’ Special Award,” gold, and silver medals to encourage students to bravely pursue their dreams and embrace the joy of dance on stage.

Annual Gala (Evening): A Grand Celebration of YDA’s 10-Year Legacy

The evening Gala was not only a hallmark of YDA’s 10th anniversary, but also a powerful showcase of artistic achievement from the past year. The performance featured 34 diverse dance pieces, ranging from Chinese classical and ethnic dance to jazz and contemporary styles, many of which were award-winning works from international competitions such as YAGP, KAR, and Showstopper in 2025. With its exquisite stage design and professional choreography, the Gala drew rounds of applause and served as a farewell performance for several graduating seniors.

Founded in 2014 by Chinese-born dancer Yaya Zhang, Yaya Dance Academy has flourished under her leadership. Zhang was admitted to the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy at age 12, graduated with a degree in choreography, and later performed in Japan’s Broadway production of Cats for nearly three years. Upon returning to China, she contributed to musical productions with the China National Children’s Theatre and served as chief director for the Jiangxi Provincial Games opening ceremony at just 26 years old.

Over the past decade, Zhang has led YDA with professional standards and a systematic teaching approach, guiding students to impressive achievements in both the arts and academics. Her students have gone on to top institutions such as Harvard, NYU, University of Chicago, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and the University of Michigan. In 2014, she led students to perform her original piece Drum Rhythms on China Central Television’s Dance World, winning the “All-Star” award. She has also served as artistic director for the “Love Banquet” gala and choreographed performances for the Pacific Symphony.

In a recent interview with mainstream media, Zhang said: “We believe every child has the potential to become an artist. At YDA, we teach not only dance techniques, but also emphasize character development, aesthetic literacy, and self-expression. Even for students learning part-time, we uphold professional standards to nurture near-professional talents.”

This milestone event was not only a display of YDA’s internal achievements but also an important cultural occasion to engage with the local community and promote diversity. Distinguished guests attended the Gala, including judges from the “Star of Tomorrow” competition, long-term partner arts organizations, and representatives from The Zhang Trust and Ying Foundation.

The successful conclusion of YDA’s 10th “Star of Tomorrow” Competition and Annual Gala underscores the Academy’s strength in dance education and its growing influence as a model for integrating art and education. Here, dance is not only a form of artistic expression, but a transformative force that inspires growth and changes lives.
(By: Richard Ren / LAPost)