THANG DAO was born in Danang, Vietnam. He currently resides in New York City as a dancer, choreographer, and director of the Thang Dao Dance Company. Dao holds a MA degree from New York University’s Gallatin School. He received his formal dance education from the Juilliard School and The Boston Conservatory, where he received his BFA in dance in 2001. Dao danced for the Stephen Petronio Company and the Metropolitan Opera until 2006, leaving to pursue his choreographic career. He has presented works in Boston, New York City, North Carolina, California, Michigan and Austin with acclaimed reviews by the Boston Globe and The New York Times. In 2006, his ballet Stepping Ground, choreographed on Ballet Austin for the 1st Biannual New American Dance Talent, received the Audience Choice Award all four nights. He recently choreographed Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto for Ballet Austin II. Dao is honored to be the recipient of the 2008 Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship and the 2009 Special Project Grant. His ballet Echoes, commissioned by the Boston Conservatory, is being toured nationally with Ailey II. Dao is also set for a new commission for Ballet X.