Pioneering choreographer and dancer Li Chiao-Ping is an artistic force whose physically rigorous and intellectually profound work has redefined contemporary dance in Wisconsin and beyond. Chiao-Ping is the Sally Banes Professor of Dance and a Vilas Research Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she has been a major force for excellence in the arts for over three decades. Praised by the New York Times, Village Voice, and Dance Magazine for her trademark physicality and “marvelously imaginative” vision, she creates layered, multi-disciplinary pieces that combine striking visual design with contemporary music. Since founding her namesake company in 1990, she has produced athletic, emotionally charged contemporary works that explore complex themes of culture and identity. Her choreographic reach extends to the world’s most prestigious stages, including The Kennedy Center, Jacob’s Pillow, and the Joyce SoHo. Beyond her performance career, Chiao-Ping is a devoted educator and researcher who fosters community through her “Dancing Through Life” philosophy. Her work spans K-12 residencies, professional mentorship, and specialized movement workshops for seniors, demonstrating her belief that dance is a universal language. A former Discovery Fellow at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, she continues to push the boundaries of contemporary dance to promote health, tolerance, and life-long learning for diverse populations of all ages.
