Lorita Leung Dance Company (LLDC) was established in 1970 and is recognized as one of North America’s pioneering Chinese dance performing groups. Under the artistic leadership of Jessica Jone, the company is dedicated to the professional presentation of authentic Chinese Classical, Folk, and Ethnic dance, while remaining at the forefront of contemporary developments in the art form. LLDC maintains an extensive repertoire of both traditional and contemporary Chinese dance works, including original creations by Resident Choreographer Chengxin Wei.

LLDC has a rich and distinguished history. In 1984, it became the first overseas Chinese dance company invited to perform in China after 1949. During that landmark visit, then Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang hosted a special banquet in honour of Lorita Leung and the company. The success of this inaugural tour led to a second major tour in 1988, when the China Performing Arts Agency sponsored a five-city engagement across China.

In 1989, LLDC played an important role in the opening of the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa. The company’s performance inaugurated the museum’s theatre, while its video footage and costumes were also featured in the historical exhibition Beyond the Golden Mountain.

LLDC continued to tour China in 1991 and 1994. In 1997, the company toured five cities in Taiwan to raise funds for cancer research. Internationally, the company has represented Canada at the 2nd International Dance Festival in Malaysia and has performed at EPCOT World Showcase and the Confucius Institute at the University of Idaho. LLDC dancers have won multiple top awards at competitions such as the Global Dance Challenge and the Taoli World Dance Competition Grand Finals.

Through performances at countless venues and events over the decades, LLDC has earned recognition for its enduring commitment to preserving, promoting, and advancing Chinese dance culture in Canada. Its lasting impact has helped grow Chinese dance in Canada by inspiring generations of dancers, enriching local communities, and fostering a greater appreciation of Chinese cultural heritage.