Chun Wai Chan performs with other dancers from the Houston Ballet in Danish choreographer Harald Lander’s “Études” in 2015. The former Houston Ballet principal dancer has become New York City Ballet’s first principal dancer from China. Photo: Amitava Sarkar/Courtesy of Houston Ballet

Chan and Houston Ballet principal dancer Karina González perform in Jiří Kylián’s

Chan performs in Edwaard Liang’s “Murmuration” in 2014. In 2010, Chan became the finalist at the international dance competition Prix de Lausanne, which earned him a full scholarship to study with the Houston Ballet. Photo: Amitava Sarkar/Courtesy of Houston Ballet

Chan dances in the role of the prince in Stanton Welch’s “The Nutcracker” with Sara Webb in 2016. Photo: Amitava Sarkar/Courtesy of Houston Ballet

Chan plays the role of Garuda in Stanton Welch’s “La Bayadère” in 2017, the year he was promoted to be a principal dancer in the Houston Ballet. Photo: Amitava Sarkar/Courtesy of Houston Ballet

Chan performs as Orion with Jessica Collado in Stanton Welch’s “Sylvia” in 2019. Photo: Amitava Sarkar/Courtesy of Houston Ballet

Chan and the Houston Ballet’s Harper Watters dance in Justin Peck’s “Reflections” in 2019. Photo: Amitava Sarkar/Courtesy of Houston Ballet

In October 2020, Chan appeared as a contestant on Mango TV’s reality show “Dance Smash.” Photo: Courtesy of Chun Wai Chan

Chan performs in Justin Peck’s one-act ballet “Pulcinella Variations” while with the New York City Ballet in September 2021. He had joined the company as a soloist a month earlier. Photo: Erin Baiano/Courtesy of New York City Ballet

Chan performs in “The Four Temperaments” on Feb. 12. Photo: Erin Baiano/Courtesy of New York City Ballet

Chan performs in “Black Swan Pas de Deux” on Feb. 15. Photo: Erin Baiano/Courtesy of New York City Ballet

Chan dances in “The Goldberg Variations” with Indiana Woodward on April 21. Photo: Erin Baiano/Courtesy of New York City Ballet

Chan dances in “The Four Seasons” on May 17. Three days later, the New York City Ballet promoted Chan to principal dancer, making him the fourth Asian dancer to be raised to the position in the company’s 74-year history. Photo: Erin Baiano/Courtesy of New York City Ballet

Chan teaches at the Shanghai Dance Academy in June 2021. Photo: Courtesy of Chun Wai Chan

Born in South China’s Guangdong province, Chan trained at the Guangzhou Art School from 2004 to 2010. At 18, he left for the U.S. to pursue a career as a ballet dancer. Photo: Courtesy of Chun Wai Chan