A producer led company creating adventurous art by connecting old worlds with new worlds
Our Team
Farooq Chaudhry OBE
Artistic Director
Farooq Chaudhry OBE is a British Asian dance producer and director whose career has been shaped by a singular instinct: to connect artists from unfamiliar backgrounds and forge collaborations that defy the obvious. He has always been drawn to the juxtapositions that give others pause, driven by a deep conviction that from unlikely encounters, something entirely new emerges, a fresh perspective, an idea that did not exist before, a way of seeing the world and its cultures with new eyes. Over the past three decades, Chaudhry has become a defining figure in British contemporary dance, his career shaped by a consistent vision: to work with artists and companies building something new, where he can make a meaningful difference.
Described as an “architect of possibility”, he was born in Pakistan and raised in London. He first pursued a career as a professional dancer from 1986 to 1999 before earning an MA in Arts Management from City University. In 2000, he co-founded the Akram Khan Company with the dancer and choreographer Akram Khan, devising new business structures that blended enterprise, ambition, and risk to support a series of ground-breaking productions. Within years, the company rose to international prominence. Together, Chaudhry and Khan challenged prevailing aesthetic standards, broadened understandings of cultural universality and excellence, and amplified the voices of marginalized communities.
His commitment to fostering global connections soon expanded his practice. As a producer, he has collaborated with a diverse range of international artists and organizations, including the English National Ballet and acclaimed Chinese choreographer Yang Liping, helping to elevate their standing on the global stage.
Alongside producing, Chaudhry has made significant contributions as an educator, consultant, and mentor, lecturing at institutions such as London Studio Centre, Goldsmiths University, and London Business School as well as many other prominent international arts institutions. His guest lectures frequently explore new approaches to arts management, cultural entrepreneurialism, leadership and producing outside conventional pathways. A sought-after speaker, he is a regular presence at international arts conferences and festivals, offering perspectives shaped by a career forged outside traditional developmental pathways. He has also contributed articles to key arts management publications.
Between 2019 and 2023, Chaudhry served as an Artist Trustee at Tate, where he also chaired the Members Advisory Committee at Tate Modern. His contributions have been widely recognized: in 2008, he was listed by the French Ministry of Culture and Foreign Affairs among the world's top one hundred cultural actors and entrepreneurs. He holds honorary doctorates from De Montfort University (2014) and Goldsmiths University (2023); was appointed OBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours in 2019 for services to dance; became a Patron of The Place in London in 2022; and took up the role of Associate Producer at Dance City, Newcastle, in 2023. In 2025, he received the Award for Outstand ng Contribution to China–UK Cultural Exchange.
In 2021, Chaudhry founded Feng Ling Productions, driven by a deep curiosity about Chinese and East Asian artists, stories, and aesthetics. As Artistic Director, a role that also marked his debut as a director, he champions the belief that “beautiful things happen when different worlds meet.” His productions include Nine Songs (2022) and Ten Thousand Tons of Moonlight (2024). Both received international invitations for their daring and unusual collaborations. That same year, he served as curator, concept creator, and stage adapter Ba Wang Bian – Ancestral Dialogues commissioned by the World Human Forum in collaboration with the 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture. The work drew inspiration from the folk culture of China's Yunnan province and the ancient Greek myth of Persephone, further extending Chaudhry's ongoing bridge between Chinese traditions and the rest of the world.
In 2026, he was invited to serve as International Artistic Director (Dance Section) of the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre in a director‑elect capacity, with official announcement still pending. In January of that year, he accompanied Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as part of a trade delegation to China, building strategic alliances through culture and business.
In April 2026, he joined Beijing Dance Academy as a Visiting Professor in its Arts Management Department, and also became a member of the programme committee of the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA).
Across a career defined by curiosity and conviction, Farooq Chaudhry has become a deeply trusted voice in the global arts community, valued for his worldview and his unwavering commitment to levelling the playing field and the deepest held value that art, artists and producers flourish best in a garden than a factory.
Lucy Yu Liu
Social Media Manager
Crystal Siyuan Gong
Associate Producer
Yu is an early-career arts producer and social media practitioner with a background in music education, arts administration, and cultural communication. Her work is rooted in music, performance, and cross-cultural storytelling, with a particular interest in how arts projects can reach wider audiences through clear communication, accessible narratives, and meaningful cultural exchange.
She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy at Goldsmiths, University of London. Her research interests include music curation, cultural identity, audience engagement, and how arts events can connect with audiences across different social and cultural contexts. Her academic training has helped her develop a structured understanding of how arts institutions build relationships with audiences, cultural networks, and public spaces through curation, communication, and community engagement.
Before joining Fengling Productions, Yu gained experience in music education, small-scale project coordination, social media content planning, event promotion, cultural administration, and exhibition support in China. These experiences shaped her practical and detail-oriented approach to arts communication, enabling her to translate creative ideas into accessible content and connect artistic projects with audiences. At Fengling Productions, she supports social media strategy, content development, artist research, project materials, and cross-cultural communication between Chinese and UK arts contexts.
Siyuan is an emerging dance producer specialising in ballet and contemporary dance, dedicated to making dance—particularly works rooted in classical ballet language—more accessible to today's audiences. With over a decade of experiences working in the global dance industry, she brings a unique ability to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps, particularly with Chinese and Pan-Asian dance communities. Given the underrepresentation of these regions’ dance cultures on the global stage, she is passionate about leveraging her skills and network to amplify their voices and create opportunities for greater cross-cultural exchange.
Siyuan is also an innovative dance scholar specialising in performing arts audience studies, with a particular focus on digital and social media. Her academic background, which includes a master’s degree in dance studies and a forthcoming PhD at Roehampton University, has enriched her understanding of dance culture, history, and industry dynamics. This academic foundation complements her professional experience, providing her with a unique perspective that bridges practical expertise with scholarly insight. It also positions her to support artists not only in realizing their creative visions but also in contextualizing their work within broader cultural and industry frameworks.
Over the past decade, Siyuan has cultivated a diverse portfolio of international collaborations, working with emerging choreographers, established artists, and esteemed dance institutions, such as the Pina Bausch Foundation, George Balanchine Foundation, English National Ballet and National Ballet of China. From 2021 to 2023, she served as lead producer at the English National Ballet School under the artistic leadership of Viviana Durante, successfully delivering large-scale productions such as Sir Frederick Ashton’s Rhapsody and the romantic ballet masterpiece La Sylphide. Previously, she was executive producer for the Beijing International Ballet and Choreography Competition at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (2016–2019), actively fostering artistic exchange and collaboration among young dancers on a global scale. Siyuan joined Fengling Productions in 2024 and facilitated the creative process of Ten Thousand Tons of Moonlight as the interpreter and stage manager.
Muyang Shi
General Manager
As General Manager of Feng Ling Productions, Muyang brings a highly methodical and systematic approach to organizational leadership. Rooted in an extensive academic background, their management philosophy is built on the understanding that cultural and social dynamics are just as critical to a production's success as economic and logistical precision. This holistic perspective ensures that the company's operational frameworks are rigorously structured while remaining deeply responsive to the artistic core of the work.
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This strategic mindset is fundamentally shaped by Muyang’s background in archaeology—a discipline that instilled a profound pragmatism and the unique ability to unwrap deeply nuanced and richly contextualised concepts. Translating these analytical skills into tangible execution, Muyang also serves as the director of a dedicated cultural consultancy. Through this venture, he has successfully spearheaded a versatile portfolio encompassing touring documentary production, independent publishing, and community-driven digital and cultural-historic exhibitions. Operating at this entrepreneurial helm cultivates a broad, vision that actively scans for emerging industry and social trends, bringing an acute sensitivity to business development, fundraising opportunities and community engagement.
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Informing every aspect of his leadership is a fundamentally global perspective. Born and raised near the Yangtze River, Muyang’s academic and professional journey has taken him through Boston Harbour, the Cantabrian Mountains, the Bwera Grasslands, the Central Plain and the Thames River Valley. This international footprint equips them with vital cross-cultural fluency. By blending rigorous operational management, entrepreneurial foresight, and a deep appreciation for global narratives, Muyang provides the robust foundation necessary to deliver world-class dance productions on an increasingly interconnected, interdisciplinary and international stage.
Jan Hart
Finance Director
Jan grew up in Germany in a military family and spent her childhood travelling around Europe, leading to a lifelong love of travel, international culture and good food. She graduated from Kingston Polytechnic with a BA Hons in Music and immediately found a job working for SA Gorlinksy, the opera and ballet impresario. From there she moved to BBC Radio 3 for a few years as a Radio Production Assistant, working on programmes such as Jazz Record Requests, and working for a short time on the BBC Proms and with the BBC Singers.
She left the BBC to join English National Opera as the Music Director’s assistant, a newly created post, which she describes as her dream job. When a staff reshuffle was implemented, she left ENO to set up her own business, with the intention of providing a ‘musical temping’ service – including concert management, tour management, marketing, web design and admin services. This led to a number of longer-term contracts which gradually moved from administration into book-keeping.
For a number of years Jan also ran her own classical music record label, and ran a restaurant for a short period. These days her portfolio is solidly one of book-keeping, with clients across the board in music, theatre and dance. She has been described as “London’s leading contemporary dance book-keeper” and continues to be in demand for her problem-solving skills and creative approach.
Verron Lee
Production Manager/Stage Manager - The Bridge
​Rooted in a love for movement and live storytelling, Verron approaches each production as both a
craft and conversation - blending quiet precision with creative intuition to help shape experiences that
resonate. Weaving together the many moving parts of a production to create a platform where artists
can fully express themselves and audiences can be truly captivated.
Her academic background spans both Event Management at undergraduate level and a Master’s
degree in Stage and Production Management. This combination, enriched by practical experiences in
live performances has given her a solid foundation in understanding the production dynamics and
creative collaboration. This blend of knowledge and practice equips Verron to support artists in
bringing their vision in life while fostering inclusive, engaging performance environments.
Having education and work experience across both Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, Verron is
drawn to the enormous potential in creative cultural exchange between the East and West. The urge
for collaborations across languages and artistic practices are a constant source of inspiration, opening
doors to innovative storytelling and meaningful connections. She is inspired by the way performance
can bridge differences and start new interpretations. To her, movement and sound speak a universal
language - inviting interpretation, embracing imperfections, and unfolding with discovery, just like life.
Emma Yurong Pu
Producer - The Bridge
Pu Yurong (Emma Pu) is a member of a new generation of international producers who weave bridges between cultures — devoted to fostering artistic dialogue across borders and bringing Chinese voices to the global stage.
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She moved to the UK at the age of 15 and earned an MSc in Management and Finance from King’s College London. Her years abroad sparked a lifelong passion for cultural exchange, which continues to shape her creative and professional path.
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Upon returning to China, she founded the Cambridge Youth Summer Camp, a cross-cultural initiative that has run successfully for six years, introducing forward-thinking Western educational approaches to young talents in China. Building on this foundation, she transitioned into the arts sector, where she combines her international perspective with a strong network across both China and the UK.
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In 2020, she established Dandan Culture, a production company committed to bridging the Chinese and international arts worlds. Through this platform, she collaborates with artists, presenters, and institutions to support cross-cultural projects and promote creative exchange.
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As a producer and cultural connector, Pu Yurong has contributed to a growing body of internationally minded productions. Her recent work includes Nine Songs, Butterfly Lovers, and Ten Thousand Tons of Moonlight — the latter a cross-genre poetic dance theatre work created in collaboration with acclaimed Chinese poet Yu Xiuhua, interweaving contemporary poetry and physical expression to explore themes of love, longing, solitude, and resilience. She has also worked alongside a wide range of artists across disciplines, including China’s iconic dance legend Yang Liping, bringing together diverse creative voices and facilitating meaningful collaborations between East and West.
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With her cross-border experience, bicultural fluency, and strategic insight, Pu Yurong continues to play a vital role in shaping a more interconnected and globally engaged arts ecosystem. She believes that art is not merely a mirror of culture, but a living vessel through which new understanding can emerge — and that dance, with its ability to speak through the body and transcend language, offers one of the most profound ways to build bridges where words fall short. In silence, across time, space, and breath, she listens for connection — and helps bring it to life.
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