About Us

ZPD is dedicated to high-quality dance education and training in ballet, modern, and Chinese classical dance for children and adults at all levels.

Z Principal Dance Academy, based in Boston, aims to nurture a love for dance in children, refining their skills and unlocking the joy of movement. Additionally, it seeks to attract adults eager to explore the beauty of life, ignite their passion for music and dance, and embark on a transformative journey of beauty.

Dance education requires daily dedication and a focus on detail, bridging the gap between amateur and professional realms. It demands the commitment of a professional, whether or not one aims for a career in dance, by fostering discipline and artistry. This involves mastering each movement, emotionally engaging with the rhythm, and learning the art's nuances from experienced instructors. Such dedication deepens our appreciation of dance, elevating our place in the art world.

JunXiong Zhao
Junxiong Zhao
ZPD founder, Artistic Director
  • First Chinese Principal Dancer of the Boston Ballet
  • Principal Dancer of the Arizona Ballet
  • Full Scholarship recipients at the Washington Ballet School
  • Recognized by the Chinese Ministry of Culture
  • Renowned International Young Ballet Artist
  • Professional Ballet Instructor and Choreographer
Awards & Accolades
  • Honorable title of Boston’s Most Distinguished Chinese Dance Artist in 2016
  • Best Choreographic Prize at the 2015 Erik Bruhn in Canada
  • Senior Gold Medal at the 2013 Cape Town International Ballet Competition in classical and contemporary categories
  • Senior Silver Medal at World Ballet Competition 2012
  • Senior Bronze Medal at the 2011 Youth America Grand Prix, New York
  • Junior Bronze Medal at the 2009 Helsinki International Ballet Competition in Helsinki, Finland

As the principal dancer at Boston Ballet, Junxiong starred in leading roles in ballets by John Cranko, George Balanchine, Frederick Ashton, and Ivan Liska, including notable works like "Romeo and Juliet," "Onegin," "Coppélia," "The Four Temperaments," "Serenade," "Western Symphony," "The Nutcracker," "La Bayadère," and "Giselle."

In taking on these roles, Junxiong deepened his understanding and passion for dance, acquiring invaluable stage experience that greatly informed his teaching and choreography. His skilled performances demonstrated technical mastery and wide-ranging artistic expression, cementing his esteemed reputation in the dance community.

XiaoWan Yan
JunXiong Zhao
JunXiong Zhao
JunXiong Zhao
XiaoWan Yan
Xiaowan Yan
ZPD Founder
  • PLA Academy of Arts
  • Shanghai Theatre Academy
  • Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
  • Progressive Ballet Techniques Teacher’s Certification

Xiaowan has excelled as an artistic director, choreographer, and instructor, dedicating over a decade to nurturing talent, with her students gaining entry into prestigious dance schools like the School of American Ballet and Russia's Vaganova Academy. Her mentees have won top awards in national dance competitions, highlighting her effective teaching methods.

Moreover, Xiaowan has created acclaimed classical dance narratives such as "Beautiful Fairy Tale," "Happy Journey," and "Looking Forward to Tomorrow," blending dance with themes of hope and optimism, earning widespread acclaim. Her profound passion for dance and commitment to developing new talent affirm her essential contribution to the dance community.

XiaoWan Yan
XiaoWan Yan
XiaoWan Yan
Xiaowan Yan
Lasha Khozashvili
Lasha Khozashvili
ZPD Principal Guest Instructor
  • Principal dancer with the Boston Ballet, USA
  • Principal dancer with the Samsun Opera and Ballet Theater, Turkey
  • Principal, Tbilisi Z. Paliashvili Opera and Ballet State Theatre, Georgia
  • Khozashvili’s dancing has been described by the Los Angeles Times as “gorgeous” with “youth, charm and spontaneity gilding the choreography and making it seem inspired improvisation.”
  • He was awarded the Gilbert Albert and Nina Ananiashvili International Prize “Star” in 2008.

Khozashvili has excelled in a diverse range of principal roles, demonstrating his versatility across George Balanchine's "Serenade" and "A Midsummer Night’s Dream," Alexei Fadeyechev’s "Giselle" (Albrecht), Frederick Ashton’s "Cinderella" (Prince), Val Caniparoli’s "Lady of the Camellias" (Armand), Florence Clerc’s "La Bayadère" (Solor), John Cranko’s "Onegin" (Onegin) and "Romeo & Juliet" (Romeo), and Nugzar Magalashvili’s "Laurencia" (Mengo, Frondoso), "1001 Nights" (Shahriar), as well as in "Swan Lake," and "Don Quixote."

Lasha Khozashvili
Lasha Khozashvili
Lasha Khozashvili
Lasha Khozashvili
Zhao Principle Dance Academy
TBD
ZPD Residence Instructor
  • Former artist from the Boston Ballet, USA
  • Principal dancer with the Samsun Opera and Ballet Theater, Turkey

Her Boston Ballet repertoire includes Frederick Ashton's "Cinderella," George Balanchine's "Serenade," John Cranko's "Onegin" and "Romeo and Juliet," Val Caniparoli's "Lady of the Camellias," Rudolf Nureyev's "La Bayadère," "The Sleeping Beauty," "La Sylphide," and Mikko Nissinen's "The Nutcracker" and "Swan Lake."