The Second World Ballet Trial, with 124 plays from all around the world, was held in Tokyo, Japan from March 20th to 22nd. Li Na, an associate professor from Art College, and Ou Rui, her graduate student, participated in the event on behalf of Xiamen University (XMU). With an original solo “Burgeoning” (“萌动” in Chinese), Ou Rui won the senior Gold Award of contemporary ballet while Prof. Li Na received the Teacher Award. They are the only Chinese player and teacher in the awarding ceremony. Ou also received the invitation of South Korea International Ballet Trail due to his outstanding performance.

    XMU established the major of Dance in 2004 and began enrollment of master students in 2013. The Gold Award obtained by Ou is a manifestation of the achievement in the teaching and practicing of dance in XMU.

    The judging panel consists of 5 members. Jaekeun•Park, chair of the judging panel, is the president of South Korean Ballet Foundation. Other 4 judges are Xin Lili, head of Shanghai Ballet Delegation, Mareks Rozickis, president of Berlin National Ballet College, Jolanta Rybarska, president of Poland's National Ballet School and Kenichi Soki, a ballet solo performer with the former Salzburg National Theater in Austria.

    Ou Rui entered XMU with great grades in 2009 to study dance and was directly admitted by XMU for his graduate study. He continued his pursuit in contemporary ballet with the guidance of his mentor Li Na. They worked together to create a dance named “Complexity and Tranquility” (“繁•静” in Chinese) which was then a hit and widely praised. Li Na, graduate of Ballet major in Beijing Dancing Academy, began to teach in XMU in 2005. She has won awards in many competitions, such as Kobe International Ballet Trail, New York International Ballet Trail, the First Shanghai International Ballet Trail and the Fifth and Sixth Peach and Plum Cup Dance competition. And her students have also obtained awards in a variety of competitions. She is currently a member of Fujian Dancers Association and vice chairwoman of Xiamen Dancers Association.