Budding Taiwanese choreographer wins top prize in British contest

The 26-year-old choreographer, who is now a resident artist in Paris, told the Central News Agency in an interview that the victory was a big surprise to him.

"I was really amazed that I won the coveted prize, " Chou said emotionally.

In addition to a cash prize of 2,000 British pounds (about US$3,278), Chou and his group will also be given an all-expense paid trip to London to perform at the Sadler's Wells Sampled dance festival in January 2010.

Chou started out as a dance enthusiast and began choreographing when he was a student at the Department of Dance at National Taiwan University of Arts. He has twice won awards in choreographic contests sponsored by Taiwan's National Chiang Kai-shek Cultural Center. In 2004, his solo piece "Street Lamp" was performed at an international dance forum sponsored by Cloud Gate 2 troupe. Another of his pieces, "Under Street Lamp," also won a gold medal in a competition held that same year.

Chou said he is extremely happy to emerge as the winner in the Sadler's Wells contest because it has helped expand his vision and international exposure.

Sadler's Wells launched its first-ever global dance contest in March in search of new talent.

The competition was open to all types of dance. Contestants were required to choreograph, perform and film an original dance piece and submit it on the Sadler's Wells Web site.

In the first stage of competition, a panel of six dance professionals selected 10 finalists from all the entries. Chou was the only Taiwanese choreographer to make it into finals of the online video contest.

Internet users were invited to vote for their favorites among the 10 final entries. Chou won from a field of competitors from Britain, the United States, Australia, South Africa, South Korea and Israel.

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