Yiming Cai – Performer 👏🏽

Yiming Cai – Performer for tiger princess dance projects

Yiming Cai is a danced artist from Singpore. Cai grew up competing in Wushu and started dancing while completing his bachelors degree in Communications Studies at the Nanyang Technological University. Cai went on to dance in The Human Expression Second Company and moved to Canada in 2016 to study at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre. He has also since worked on projects with tiger princess dance projects, The Platform, JDdance, Danny Grossman dance company, Little Pear Garden dance company, Sharon B. Moore, Sashar Zarif and Jane – Alison Mckinney. Cai has also participated in intensives such as One Body One Career, Gaga, Alias Dance Projects and Springboard Danse Montreal; where he performed in the creation of MA.ZE (Hungary) and the repertory of Goteborgdoperans Danskompani under the direction of Stephan Laks. Cai is currently based in Toronto and enjoys a quiet lifestyle outside of dance.

What do you do with princess productions and how long have you been with the company? 

I am a dancer with princess productions, and I have been with the company since 2019

What are your interests/hobbies? 

Some new hobbies that I have recently picked up are Brazilian Zouk and Brazilian Jiujitsu (BJJ)

What did you go to school for (if you did) and does it relate to what you are doing now? If not, do you want it to? 

I graduated with a bachelors degree in communications and also studied at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre; the dance training has set me on the path of being a dancer and teacher here in Toronto

How did you get into your hobbies/interests? 

With regards to BJJ, I have been a UFC fan for years now and through watching Mixed Martial Arts fights, I got to learn about BJJ. BJJ is rather popular here in Toronto and it was something that I knew I wanted to learn ‘someday’, and I finally did so in January this year!

What do you like best about your hobby? 

While I’m new to BJJ, I know that it for sure is incredibly transformational. It’s a great activity for self-development in many areas, and so far has already helped to boost my confidence as a person. I definitely like knowing how to defend myself physically and at the same time, it’s a practice that humbles me – especially whenever I get strangled in the neck.

What is your favorite thing about being in the arts in Toronto?

I like meeting people of different backgrounds and hearing their stories.

If you could do your hobby anywhere in the world where would you go? 

Perhaps to Austin, Texas to meet and study with the great BJJ professor, John Danaher  

Are you currently working on a project? What is it? 

tiger princess dance projects is in creation of a work currently titled ‘…in this…’,  choreographed by Yvonne with other dance artists, Morgyn Aronyk-Schell, Sierra Chin Sawdy and Kurumi Yoshimoto.

If you could give your younger self advice what would it be? 

Don’t take life too seriously, get over yourself. I should still tell myself this haha. 

_______________________________________________________