Cape Town City Ballet Appoints Tracy Li as Artistic Director After 30 Years

Celebrated dancer, coach, and performer Tracy Li, who has been a key figure at Cape Town City Ballet (CTCB) for over three decades, has been named the company’s new Artistic Director.

This decision marks a brand-new chapter for the storied ballet company, which recently staged acclaimed performances of Dracula, Orpheus in the Underworld, and The Nutcracker, with Li’s appointment showing the value of loyalty, consistency, and experience in the industry. Here’s everything ballet fans need to know.

More about Tracy Li

Born and formally trained in Hong Kong at the Christine Liao School of Ballet, Li studied for a few years at the Australian Ballet School before returning home to join the prestigious Hong Kong Ballet company. At only 20 years old, she moved halfway across the world to South Africa, landing at Cape Town City Ballet in 1993.

As a Senior Principal dancer, she quickly gained recognition in the local scene, performing starring roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, Carmen, The Nutcracker, and Coppélia. The accolades came in spades, with Li receiving several Balletomane Awards throughout her career, and winning the sought-after Nederburg Award for Best Ballet Dancer in 1997. She was known for her dynamic partnership with Daniel Rajna, performing across the world for many years before both retiring in 2007 after their final shows of Camille.

Tracy Li stayed on with Cape Town City Ballet, immediately being promoted to Principal Coach at the company and using her years of experience on the stage to train the next generation of dancers. She has since contributed to rehearsal and production of all of CTCB’s stage shows, even serving as Acting Executive Director in 2018.

Her first statement after the announcement of her promotion reads: “I have spent my entire adulthood with this beautiful company and my career here has been nothing short of magical. Now, I am deeply honoured to be taking on the role of Artistic Director of Cape Town City Ballet and I look forward with great excitement to what we can build together.”

As the new Artistic Director of the award-winning ballet company, Tracy Li follows in the footsteps of local industry icons like Veronica Paeper, who was behind Cape Town City Ballet’s success for 25 years, and is the most prolific choreographer in all of South Africa.

Keep up with Cape Town City Ballet

The appointment of CTCB stalwart Tracy Li to the creative head of the company indicates a new step for Cape Town’s thriving theatrical and dance industries. Before 2026 is out, the company is slated to perform Velvet Feathers, Dracula, and The Nutcracker. The year programme is available here.