Guzanur Turdahon teaches street dance at Xinjiang Arts University in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Shuo)

URUMQI, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Guzanur Turdahon delicately gestured with her finger when the accompanying folk music was soothing, but dynamically shook her elbows and waist when drumbeats were intense. Her students mimicked her movements at a dance studio in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Traditional folk dance typically conveys restrained emotions, whereas street dance is bold and outgoing," said Guzanur Turdahon. She added that traditional Uygur dance tends to be more subdued with intricate finger movements, while street dance is more likely to emphasize punctuated movements.

Born in 1992 in the city of Altay in northern Xinjiang, Guzanur Turdahon displayed a passion and talent for dancing from a young age, prompting her to seek better dance education opportunities in Urumqi.

During her time at Xinjiang Arts University, she immersed herself in various forms of folk dance, including Yangge, a traditional style from northern China and also a form of national intangible cultural heritage. In addition, she studied the flower drum lantern dance of east China's Anhui Province and the dances of the Tajik ethnic minority, among others.

"Dance serves as a universal language that expresses emotions and tells stories through body movements," Guzanur Turdahon said.

After graduating, she chose not to follow her parents' advice to pursue a stable office job, but instead joined a street dance studio. Exploring various dance styles, she eventually decided to dedicate herself to fusing traditional folk dance with the bold dynamism of street dance.

"I have a passion for dancing. Furthermore, both folk dance and street dance demand innovation, thereby gaining vitality," she emphasized. "Young dancers need to break boundaries, embrace novelty, and try something different."

However, during the initial stage of her dance innovation quest in 2019, she encountered numerous challenges. "My brain cells were nearly exhausted. The movements were disjointed and stiff," she said.

Just when Guzanur Turdahon contemplated giving up, her colleague at the street dance studio, Ferkat Bahader, encouraged her to persevere. "Compared to other street dancers, your postures don't deform during fusion because of your systematic dance training at college. This is your advantage -- don't discard it," Ferkat Bahader urged.

Guzanur Turdahon teaches street dance at Xinjiang Arts University in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

Guzanur Turdahon took into account the many hand and arm movements used by women in traditional folk dance, finding parallels in the waacking street-style dance, to craft her new dances which demonstrate both grace and strength. She also thinks that the "popping" style of street dance can be utilized by male dancers to add a sense of vibrancy.

Recently, Guzanur Turdahon completed a two-month street dance choreography training program sponsored by the China National Arts Fund. She has taught over 2,300 students and aspires to enhance her choreography skills and inspire more young people in Xinjiang to embrace and love street dance.

In April, Guzanur Turdahon and her team will travel to Shanghai to compete in the China final of the World of Dance Championship Series, an international competition originating in the United States.

"I hope to showcase our street dance intertwined with dazzling Chinese folk style to global audiences," she said.