Hui Wen Peng on Joining London City Ballet and Embracing New Opportunities
n this episode of The Artist’s Voice, I speak with the inspiring young dancer Hui Wen Peng, known to friends and colleagues as Winnie, about her remarkable journey from Taiwan to some of the world's leading ballet stages.
Born and raised in Taichung, Taiwan, Winnie began her early ballet training with Peiyu Wu and Meiying Lin. In 2015, she won first place at the Taiwan Grand Prix Ballet Competition and received a scholarship to study at the prestigious Harid Conservatory in the United States. She continued her training at both the Harid Conservatory and the Washington School of Ballet before joining Atlanta Ballet II and later being promoted to the main company. In 2022, she earned international recognition when she won the silver medal in the senior women's category at the Helsinki International Ballet Competition. She later joined San Francisco Ballet as a corps de ballet member, performing works by legendary choreographers including George Balanchine, Kenneth MacMillan, William Forsythe, Helgi Tomasson, Yuri Possokhov, and Akram Khan.
During our conversation, Winnie reflects on her early years in gymnastics and how her passion for ballet gradually developed. She also shares how her training in Chinese dance shaped her artistry and body awareness, and how many of those techniques continue to influence her approach to contemporary dance today.
Winnie speaks enthusiastically about her exciting new chapter with London City Ballet, which she joins for the 2026 season. She describes the incredible opportunities dancers have to work with outstanding choreographers and perform a diverse repertoire. What stands out most to her, however, is the company's close-knit atmosphere. She explains that the dancers feel like one big family, often spending time together even during breaks between rehearsals.
Under the artistic direction of Christopher Marney, London City Ballet has experienced a remarkable revival since its relaunch in 2024. The company has gained international attention for combining newly commissioned works with the revival of important ballet repertoire that is rarely seen today. It has rapidly expanded its touring schedule and now performs across the UK, Europe, and the United States, bringing ballet to diverse audiences while preserving important works from dance history. The 2026 season includes an extensive international tour across multiple countries and major venues, reflecting the company's growing reputation and ambition.
It was a pleasure meeting Winnie and learning more about her journey, her artistic influences, and her excitement for the future. As London City Ballet continues to grow from strength to strength, it is wonderful to hear directly from the dancers who are helping shape this exciting new era for the company.
Watch the interview and discover the story behind one of ballet's rising stars.