Looking back over an 11-year tenure as Artistic Director of Queensland Ballet, Li Cunxin glows with palpable pride.

“I love the company for its passion, for its incredible dedication and its pursuit of excellence. Every practitioner, every dancer and every staff member, even on the business side – we always have the mindset, ‘Is this the best we can do?’,” he says.

“We always question that, we always try to find a way to improve constantly. That’s what makes this company very special.”

Li is excited, but at the same time “feeling a little ambivalent” about his final season launch; Li and his wife, Ballet Mistress and Principal Repetiteur Mary Li are poised to retire from their positions at the end of this year. Trying to ensure a well-balanced approach, as always, Li’s final season extends a hand to varied sections of the Queensland community with each work connected by their individual senses of vibrancy, colour, and beauty.