Ma Cong was named Richmond Ballet’s Associate Artistic Director in June 2020. He has been widely recognized by the dance world as a bold, bright, and inspired artist and choreographer. Cong started his dance career at the Beijing Dance Academy, where he trained in the art of Chinese classical dance. He danced with the National Ballet of China from 1995 until 1999 when he moved to the USA. During his 22-year career at Tulsa Ballet, as both Principal Dancer and Resident Choreographer, he performed works by Duato, Kylian, Forsythe, Balanchine, Robbins, Stevenson, and Wheeldon and created many original works for important dance companies worldwide, such as Richmond Ballet, Queensland Ballet, Singapore Ballet, and National Ballet of China. Among his many personal and professional achievements, Cong made his Broadway debut in 2017 while working with Julie Taymor on the revival of David Henry Hwang’s Tony Award-winning play M. Butterfly, starring Clive Owen. As Associate Artistic Director, Cong has been working closely with Artistic Director Stoner Winslett for the bright and exciting future of the company.