Dai Ailian (Tai Ai-Lien), the pioneer and founder of modern Chinese dancing art, famous dancer, dance teacher, and honorary president of the Chinese Dancers' Association, died in Beijing on February 9, 2006 at the age of 90.

Dai holds a high reputation in the world of dance. On a golden plaque presented to her, a dance organization from Taiwan inscribed the words: "Mother of Chinese Dance." These words aptly describe Dai's status in the development of dance in China.

"Ballet is my work, while folk dance is my greatest pleasure," She once said. Trained in ballet in England, Dai Ailian is one of China's premier dance icons, and extraordinarily impacted art and culture in China by bringing Western dance to the country.

In the reception lobby of the Royal Academy of Dance in Britain, there are four sculptures of female dancing artists, and one of them is the bust of Dai Ailian. In the unveiling ceremony, Dai said that: "the honor belongs to my motherland." These words from the bottom of her heart are a good annotation to her dancing career.

  Early Days

Dai Ailian was born in Trinidad and Tobago, an independent republic in the West Indies in 1916. Dai's forefathers had been living on the island for many years, but led a miserable coolie life when they first arrived at the place. But after several generations of hard work, things became much better. By the time Dai Ailian was born, the living conditions of Chinese people were improved. Dai's father planted sugarcane and coffee, and also conducted business in food supplies, cotton cloth, and stationery. The well-off family provided Dai access to a good education.

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