In the West we are familiar with ballets like Swan Lake. But there's another classical dance form with a long history has only recently burst onto the world scene. It is called Chinese classical dance.
Chinese classical dance is incredibly demanding, refined, and expressive dance form. Alongside ballet, it is also one of the most comprehensive dance systems (know)to humans.
People outside China had hardly ever heard Chinese classical dance till recently. One major reason was that when Chinese companies performed abroad, they often (mix) Chinese dance style with Western dance style. So the audience left the theater not sure (exact) what they had just seen.
In 2006, however, a company called Shen Yun Performing Arts (establish) in New York. Its mission was to promote (tradition) culture, and this included (present) Chinese classical dance in its pure form. Not quite a decade later, Chinese classical dance has become much better recognized and is starting influencing Western ballet.
Despite their significant differences, both ballet and Chinese classical dance have the ability (tell) stories vividly and move us through beautiful art.
