Julian Gan

Julian Wen-Sheng Gan is a Malaysian ballet artist from Subang Jaya, Malaysia. Since joining Grand Rapids Ballet in the fall of 2022 under the artistic direction of James Sofranko, he has established himself as a versatile performer with a repertoire spanning classical, neoclassical, and contemporary ballet.

Prior to joining Grand Rapids Ballet, Julian was a member of the Joffrey Ballet Studio Company during the 2021–2022 season in Chicago, where he performed works by Sir Frederick Ashton and Gerald Arpino. He studied at The HARID Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida, from 2018 to 2020 under the prestigious Male Award Scholarship, which he received in 2018. Upon graduation, he was honored with the Jeannot B. Cerrone Award for Excellence in Dance Performance. Before attending HARID, Julian trained at The Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C., from 2015 to 2018, where he further developed his classical technique and artistic foundation.

Julian has earned numerous accolades throughout his career. In 2020, he received second place in both the Senior Classical and Contemporary divisions at Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) Dallas. In 2019, he was awarded second place and the Margot Fonteyn Audience Choice Award at the prestigious Genée International Ballet Competition in Toronto. That same year, he won the Gold Medal and Best Performer in Ballet (Senior) at the Hong Kong Challenge Cup.

His repertoire includes leading and featured roles such as Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, Peter Pan in Peter Pan by Septime Webre, Cavalier and Nutcracker Prince in The Nutcracker by Val Caniparoli, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, Prince Désiré and Bluebird in Sleeping Beauty, George Balanchine’s Tarantella, Flames of Paris Pas de Deux, Raymonda Pas de Quatre, Flower Festival Pas de Deux, The Fountain of Bakhchisarai, Birbanto in Le Corsaire, and Walpurgis Night. His repertoire also includes character works such as Sirtaki and Summer, originally choreographed by Igor Moiseyev.

As a contemporary artist, Julian has collaborated with many distinguished choreographers and stagers, including Michael Breeden, performing the role of The Protagonist in Justin Peck’s In the Countenance of Kings; Kaitlyn Gilliland, stager of Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room; Darrell Grand Moultrie (Le Grand Jazz); Penny Saunders (Jumpcut and Berceuse); Jennifer Archibald (While Away); Andy Blankenbuehler (Remember Our Song); Yoshihisa Arai (Appalachian Spring); Mark Godden (Return, Return Again and Conjuring Louis); and Lauren Carey (The End and Again), which was also performed with Ballet Florida during its 2020 VISION program.

In addition to performing, Julian is an emerging choreographer whose work explores athleticism, musicality, and human connection. His original creations include Fractures of the Mind (2024), created in collaboration with Ritsu Katsumata for Grand Rapids Ballet’s Jumpstart; Chaordic (2025); and Berontak (2026), both created for Grand Rapids Ballet’s Jumpstart choreographic showcase.

Recognized for his artistry, musicality, and refined classical technique, Julian continues to build an international career as both a performer and choreographer. Proud to represent Malaysia on the world stage, he is committed to expanding his artistic voice through classical and contemporary works while inspiring the next generation of dancers through his dedication to excellence, creativity, and the continued evolution of ballet.