Yanlai Wu (吴燕来) is a renowned choreographer, dancer, and founder of Yanlai Dance Academy in Pittsburgh. Trained at the Beijing Dance Academy, she has dedicated over 20 years to promoting authentic Chinese dance and culture in the U.S., inspiring thousands of students and audiences. Recognized as a Cultural and Arts Award winner at the Pittsburgh Immigrant Entrepreneur Celebration, Yanlai brings her artistic excellence and cross-cultural vision to the 2026 Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Gala as returning Artistic Director.

Yanlai Wu

Artistic Director

Ian Ward is a Broadway and recording artist whose work bridges theatre, music, and storytelling. He has performed on stages across the country—from Las Vegas to the Hollywood Bowl—and appeared in productions including Rock of Ages, Working Girl, and Jesus Christ Superstar. As a singer-songwriter, Ian blends pop-rock energy with theatrical emotion, crafting original music that connects deeply with audiences. Beyond performance, he leads Hitmaker Collective, an education platform helping songwriters finish and release their best work. Whether on stage or in the studio, Ian’s mission is to inspire creativity, connection, and courage through authentic expression..

Ian Ward

Singer/Voice of America Top 50 finalist

中国陕西省戏曲研究院，国家一级导演兼演员，西安民间文艺家协会副主席，陕西省秦腔艺术协会理事，出生在梨园世家，主工刀马旦兼花旦，多次受邀出访参加文化交流演出活动，增赴美国，加拿大，西班牙，法国，芬兰，香港等地演出，受到了海内外观众的热烈欢迎及好评！增演出过的剧目有“女杀四门”“双锁山”“穆柯寨”“挡马”打焦赞”“擂鼓战金山”“白蛇传”“大唐千秋节”等，曾获得过西北五省戏曲邀请赛一等奖，陕西省戏曲红梅大赛金奖，陕西省首届武戏绝技绝活大赛一等奖，陕西省“中城之星”戏曲大赛展演优秀表演奖，多次荣获陕西省戏曲小戏小品展演优秀表演奖等奖项，陕西电视台观众喜爱的戏曲百家演员称号！

现已转导演系，排导过的剧目有秦腔传统本戏“穆柯寨”大破洪州”“杨门女将”寿州救驾”打焦赞”“杨八姐盗刀”双锁山”小戏“毛驴照”秦腔原创小戏“嫂子”碗碗腔原创小戏“闹洞房”大型原创情景剧“护航”等优秀剧目，荣获第五届陕西省艺术节，青春版秦腔《杨门女将》导演奖。第五届陕西省艺术节喜剧小品《硬杠杠》导演奖。第六届陕西省艺术节，大型开幕式文艺晚会《盛世繁华》优秀编导奖，陕西省第三届喜剧表演大赛小品《拼刺刀》荣获最佳导演奖，陕西省第四届喜剧表演大赛，原创戏曲小戏《闹洞房》荣获一等奖榜首。陕西省第八届小戏小品展演，原创碗碗腔戏曲小戏《贪者上钩》优秀导演奖，优秀剧目奖。陕西省第十届小戏小品展演眉胡原创小戏《相亲》荣获优秀剧目奖等.

2020年被评选为首届中国戏曲网络传承者“金箔奖”。排导了“国家艺术基金个人传承项目”经典剧目“穆柯寨”结项并受到好评！

聂文华 Wenhua Nie

秦腔泰斗 Qinqiang Opera Maestro