Xueting Luo

Profile

I am currently undertaking my PhD research at the School of Performance and Cultural Industries, University of Leeds. I completed my MA at Beijing Dance Academy, specialising in Chinese dance history and aesthetics. My master’s thesis examined the Buddhist implications of music and dance in Dunhuang murals, which developed my perspective on traditional Chinese dance aesthetics and their connections with philosophy and embodiment. Alongside my PhD, I am undertaking a Specialist Diploma in Choreological Studies at Trinity Laban Conservatoire.

My research has been published in peer-reviewed journals in both Chinese and English, contributing to international discourse on Chinese dance aesthetics, embodiment, and performance philosophy. In addition to writing, I use practice as a method of inquiry, developing experimental works that integrate poetry, dance, and ecosomatic practice. I have presented papers and led workshops at institutions including the University of Leeds, Goldsmiths, University of London, the University of Limerick, Northumbria University, Ghent University, and the Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

Beyond academia, I work as a qualified dance teacher and performer at Goldsmiths Confucius Institute and previously at UCLan Confucius Institute. My teaching includes classical Chinese dance, Dunhuang ribbon dance, and cross-cultural performance practice.

Recent Publications:

• “Spiritual Echoes in Motion: Integrating Voice and Movement in Chinese Poetry and Kunqu Dance as an Eco-Somatic Practice.” Dance, Movement & Spiritualities, 10(2), 2023, pp. 225–242. https://doi.org/10.1386/dmas_00054_1
• “The Eros and Thanatos Entwined: Somaesthetic Explorations in Kunqu Dance.” The Journal of Somaesthetics, 10(2), 2024, pp. 60–75. https://doi.org/10.54337/ojs.jos.v10i2.8601
• “Green Training: Dancing under Cherry Blossom.” Theatre, Dance and Performance Training, 15(3), 2024, pp. 511–513. https://doi.org/10.1080/19443927.2024.2397246
• “Impact Exploration of Chinese Kunju Dance Research in Cross-Cultural Contexts – From an Ecological Perspective.” WRoCAH Journal, 8 (Winter), 2024, Special Issue on Research Impact, pp. 18–27. https://journal.wrocah.ac.uk/current-issue/
• “Integrate: A Response.” Platform: Journal of Theatre and Performing Arts, 17(2), 2025. https://www.platform-gatherings.com/integrate-a-response
• “The Performing Tradition of Poetry and Dance Integration and Its Significance for Contemporary Aesthetic Education” 诗舞相融的乐舞传统及当代美育意义. Sichuan Drama, 08, 2023, pp. 120–124. (Co-authored; second author)

Presentations and Workshops (selected):

• Forging Body-mind Resilience through the Combination of Dance and Poetry Informed by Chinese Landscape Aesthetics, Northern School of Contemporary Dance Conference, 2023.
• From Ancient Archives to Living Motions: the Capturing and Creating of Chinese Ribbon Dance, Modes of Capture Symposium, University of Limerick, 2023.
• Poetry and Dance Workshop, Goldsmiths Confucius Institute, University of London, 2023.
• From Ancient Rhythms to Modern Roles: Kunqu Dance and Its Civic Resonance, Northern School of Contemporary Dance Conference, 2024.
• Subtle Moves, Global Bridges: Eco-somatic Practices from Chinese Kunqu Classical Dance for Cross-cultural Participatory Pedagogy, TaPRA Annual Conference, Northumbria University, 2024.
• Somatic Landscapes: The Symbiosis Between Kunqu Dance and Chinese Garden Aesthetics, Ecologies of Architecture and Dance Symposium, Ghent University, 2024.
• Flow in Balance: Embodying Yin and Yang Workshop, CONTEMPERAMENT Music Festival, London, 2024.
• Transforming Heritage: Reimagining Chinese Calligraphy and Classical Opera Dance in Creative Ecosomatic Practice, Northern School of Contemporary Dance Conference, 2025.
• Embodied Nature: Navigating Climate Emotion and Time through Chinese Landscape Philosophy, Energy in Motion Conference, University of St Andrews & V&A Dundee, 2025.
• From Form to Flow: A Process-Oriented Approach to Performer Training through Chinese Kunqu Dance, TaPRA Annual Conference, University of Warwick, 2025.
• Tracing Seasonal Presence: An Ecosomatic Workshop Rooted in Kunqu Dance Principles, Genius Loci: International Symposium of Ecosomatic Arts, Rome, 2025.

Research interests

My research explores classical Chinese dance, with particular attention to its roots in traditional theoretical forms and bodily practices. It focuses on the cultural aesthetics, philosophical depth, and pedagogical transformation of this tradition in contemporary cross-cultural contexts. I am especially interested in how embodied practice can engage with the arts and philosophy, and how dance can serve as a medium for interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogue, ecological awareness, and human well-being.