Xiaoxiao Cao is a dancer and businesswoman based in New York City. She started her ballet training at the age of three, and left to attend a school in Guangzhou to hone her skills as a young artist. Now, she’s danced with companies such asSuzanne Farrell Ballet, Metropolitan Opera Ballet, and Boston Ballet in world-class theatres like the Lincoln Center in NYC, Kennedy Center in D.C., and National Performing Arts in Beijing, China -- but you might recognize her from the ballet company of Broadway’s The Phantom of the Opera! On top of all this, Cao runs her own dancewear business, where her designs have graced the cover of Dance Magazine and have been sold in 12 countries across the globe. Her advice to rebound from failure? “Think positive and never give up. Keep working on it until [you] make it.”Read on to learn more about Xiaoxiao Cao and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Erica Wong was almost a civil engineer before dance called her to NYC! Now based in Union City, she got her start with a ballet company before a beauty pageant video submission booked her In Your Arms with renowned choreographer Christopher Gattelli. From that moment on, Wong knew theatre was her home. The King & I marked her Broadway debut, and since then, she’s worked on projects such as Jerome Robbins’ Broadway at The Muny and M. Butterfly, and now performs in Phantom of the Opera on Broadway! She is currently hosting an intermediate ballet barre on Zoom to aid a GoFundMe benefitting the AAPI Community Fund, and hopes to begin exploring film and television opportunities in the near future. Wong advises young artists to “always be open to learning -- not just about [their] craft, but about the world and beyond,” and to practice care of one’s “mind, body, soul, and finances.” Read on to learn more about Erica Wong and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Courtney Liu is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer living between New York City and Durham, NC. She initially began her ballet career performing corps de ballet at age 14 years old with theCincinnati Ballet. However, her college path almost led to her becoming a clinical or research psychologist! She’s performed in Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera (Ensemble, Meg Giry u/s), Kristen Sandler’s Gilded, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, Queen of the Night, and the Broadway Dance Lab. In addition to performing, Liu recently completed her MFA at Duke University! This summer Courtney is the Artist-In-Residence at Thistle, a NYC-based company. She is also teaching various summer intensives and on Zoom, performing/choreographing locally, and co-choreographing wedding dances with her fiance through their company, Save the First Dance. She advises young artists to seek out alternative sources of income to the Arts to help better provide for themselves, and states from personal experience that these “odd jobs” can be enjoyable! Courtney will be returning to New York this fall for reopening rehearsals for the Broadway company of Phantom of the Opera! Read on to learn more about Courtney Liu and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Jolina Javier is an actress, dancer, model and certified personal trainer based in New York. She graduated Cum Laude from SUNY Purchase College with a BFA in Dance and was the recipient of the program’s Ballet Achievement Award. Upon graduation, Jolina has had a tremendous performing arts career. She has been on Broadway in The Phantom of the Opera; played the role of Connie Wong in A Chorus Line at New York City Center; was a cast member in The Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall; and performed at the Metropolitan Opera. In addition to stage work, Jolina also has been featured in commercials, working with popular brands such as Boll & Branch, BioTrue, Kayak and BJ’s Brewhouse and Restaurant. Along with her love for the arts, she also has a passion for health, fitness, cooking, donuts and nature and enjoys spending time with her husband, Mike and furbaby, Roy. When asked who she admires, Jolina points to her mother saying, “she is the reason why I am so successful today.” Read on to learn more about Jolina and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Ali Ewoldt is a singer and actress based in New York City! She was the first Asian American and BIPOC actress to star in the role of Christine in “Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway...
Satomi is an NYC-based actress and musician. She has been in various TV shows and is currently performing in "Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway! Keep reading to find out more about...
