Staff/Faculty

Runqiao Du (Artistic Director) Runqiao Du was born in Shanghai, China.  At the age of 11, he was selected and awarded a scholarship to study at the famed Shanghai School of Dance. Upon graduating with honors in 1989, Mr. Du moved to the United States to begin his performing career with The Washington Ballet.  During his nearly 20 year tenure with TWB, he performed various leading roles in classical and neoclassical ballets including Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Albrecht in Giselle, Prince Charming in Cinderella, Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the Cavalier in The Nutcracker.  He has also had the opportunity to dance leading roles choreographed by some of today’s most influential choreographers including works by Christopher Wheelden, Nacho Duato, Mark Morris, Edwaard Liang, Septime Webre and Twayla Tharp. In 2000, while maintaining his position with The Washington Ballet, he accepted an invitation from the legendary ballerina, Suzanne Farrell, to join her brand new company The Suzanne Farrell Ballet as a principle dancer.  Under her coaching, Mr. Du danced some of the most beautiful ballets created by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins and Maurice Bejart. After his illustrious performing career, Mr. Du accepted a position in 2008 as Full Time Lecturer from Towson University where he teaches Ballet Technique to the top level BFA Majors.  He also teaches Ballet Repertory, Men’s Class, Partnering, and is Artistic Director of the Towson Dance Company.  He joined the Amrican Dance Institute faculty in 2009 and became the Resident Choreographer of the newly formed Ballet ADI (then Chamber Ballet), the resident company of American Dance Institute and was the driving force behind producing two highly acclaimed programs. In 2010, he created an entire first act for The Nutcracker to complete the production for the ADI students. Mr. Du has been a guest artist and guest teacher nationally and internationally. His choreographic work has also been presented in various companies, festivals, and competitions, including the Millennium Stage at The John F. Kennedy for the Performing Arts Center. In 2005, Mr. Du married his long time colleague.  They are blessed with two beautiful daughters.