My Shanghai, an Urban Family series where we ask a Shanghai-based somebody to tell us about their life.
Sydney-born Amy Fabris-Shi and her Shanghainese husband Shi Zhongyi (Zy), both former professional ballet and contemporary dancers, met at the barre and danced around the world before settling down in Shanghai 15 years ago. Their latest pas de deux is the delightful Zy Dance Studio, a boutique ballet and contemporary dance studio in central Shanghai where they share their international dance experience with children and adults of all ages and levels. We met with Amy and found out more about her life since leaving Australia many years ago and settling in Shanghai.
Image via Amy Fabris-Shi/Zy Dance Studio
You’re a former professional ballet dancer; can you tell me what you were doing before moving to Shanghai?
Since I started dancing at the age of 8 in Sydney, I’d dreamed of becoming a ballerina performing on theater stages in Europe. At 17, I was accepted into the Australian Ballet School and after graduation, I set off to audition for ballet companies, when fate stepped in. Bound for Europe, my plane stopped over in Singapore where I’d arranged to join a class with the national ballet company, Singapore Dance Theatre (SDT), and at the end of class the artistic director offered me a job. I spent four happy years with SDT and stood at the barre behind a young soloist from Shanghai, who was to become my husband. Eventually, I completed my journey to Europe. We danced in ballet and contemporary dance companies in Germany and toured across Europe, before retiring from the stage and heading to Shanghai for what was supposed to be a two- year stint. That was 15 years ago.
After moving to Shanghai, what was the inspiration for starting Zy Dance Studio and where does the name come from?
Once we’d arrived in my husband’s hometown of Shanghai, he was invited to teach at the Shanghai Dance School, where he had trained as a boy. Zy spent a decade training future generations of professional dancers before becoming Ballet Master of the Shanghai Opera House, a position he currently holds. Wanting to share his passion for dance training with the wider community, he opened Zy Dance Studio (pronounced ‘zai,’ his initials) for adult dancers of all levels. Almost a year ago, we had the opportunity to expand into our own custom- built dance space in Jing’an, which is when I became actively involved teaching and developing our children’s dance program. We wanted Zy Dance Studio to reflect the inspiration, global outlook and joy we’d experienced in our dancing careers, with beautiful studios and positive, inspiring teachers with professional dance backgrounds.
Image via Amy Fabris-Shi/Zy Dance Studio
What has been the best advice you were given about managing a business in Shanghai?
Like pretty much everything in Shanghai, managing a business here is a thrill-ride of opportunities and challenges. While it’s important to be flexible and adaptive, you also need to stay true to your values and not be distracted from your long-term vision. We made the decision from the outset to be an artistic dance studio and we try to ensure that every decision reflects this, from the classes we offer, to our teachers and collaborations. This way, you build a community of members who share your vision and fills the studio with their enthusiasm, energy and friendship.
What classes do you teach at Zy Dance Studio and what are you currently working on with your students?
I teach children’s ballet and creative dance classes, starting from tots in tutus taking their first adorable steps at the ages of 3 and 4 and progressing into the more senior levels following the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus. I also teach PBT Ball, a core-training program that is taking the ballet world by storm. Zy Dance Studio brought this program to Shanghai for the first time last year.
Dance is such a gift, no matter what age you are. As students discover their potential, they develop coordination, posture, strength, flexibility, self- confidence and an appreciation for details. Not to mention gaining an insight into the timeless world of dance that has brought delight to dancers and audiences for centuries. My first ballet teacher was the epitome of elegance and I learned so much more than steps in the studio — I hope to bring a bit of that magic into the classes I teach, too.
After you retired from professional dancing you became a writer. What writing style do you most enjoy and why?
Like dance, writing is a powerful outlet for my self- expression and a wonderful way to meet interesting people. Over the past 15 years I’ve been working as an editor and travel writer for publications such as Conde Nast Traveller, DestinAsian and National Geographic.
Image via Amy Fabris-Shi/Zy Dance Studio
You are also passionate about fashion. Who are your fashion influences and style icons?
When not wearing a leotard and tights, I do like to dress up. My ultimate 'style crush' is Audrey Hepburn, an icon of grace and generosity who, funnily enough, also practiced ballet throughout her life.
How can the Urban Family community get in touch with you to find out more about Zy Dance Studio?
Bookings can be made for this semester’s classes and you can find out more via our official WeChat account below, and out website. Adult classes can be booked through the MINDBODY app (search 'Zy Dance Studio'). You can also call the studio directly at 138 1720 4098.
[Title image via Amy Fabris-Shi/Zy Dance Studio]
For more My Shanghai series, click here.
