We are delighted to announce the 2011 National Conference dinner speaker will be Mao’s Last Dancer – Li Cunxin. This year’s conference dinner will be held Wednesday 27 July at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Li Cunxin is a remarkable man borne of a remarkable story. From humble beginnings to the height of the global dance world, Li’s story is one of determination, passion, integrity and success.
Growing up in rural China, Li was selected to attend the Beijing Dance Academy. After years of gruelling training he became one of the country’s most celebrated dancers. Li was chosen to be one of China’s first cultural ambassadors to the United States. While dancing at the Houston Ballet he defected, prompting a standoff at the Chinese Consulate, where he was detained.
Li documented his extraordinary story in his memoir, Mao’s Last Dancer, which became an international bestseller and adapted into the critically acclaimed movie of the same name.
Li now resides in Melbourne and has made a successful career transition from dance to finance, where he became a senior manager at a leading stockbroking firm.
