Following a successful collaboration at last year’s Sketches, involving a Music Production student from Leeds Conservatoire and a Northern Ballet dancer and choreographer, a new alliance was part of the 2025 programme.
George Liang and James Buckle. Photos throughout courtesy of Northern Ballet
This year’s Sketches presented innovative new works by artists from Northern Ballet alongside captivating pieces by guest artists. George Liang, who collaborated again with Music Production graduate Zhouhan Du, also worked with final year student James Buckle on a piece titled ‘Longing for the Spring Breeze.’
From Taipei in Taiwan, George trained with the New Zealand School of Dance, Canada’s National Ballet School, and I Shin Dance Studio. He previously danced with The National Ballet of Canada and joined Northern Ballet in 2018.
Dancers performing ‘Longing for the Spring Breeze’
On the inspiration for the piece, and working with James for the first time, George shared the following:
“‘望春風 (Bāng Chhun-hong)’ is a classic Taiwanese Hokkien song, and one of my grandmother’s favourites. The title translates to ‘Longing for the Spring Breeze,’ which also inspired the title of my piece.
“The lyrics tell the story of a young maiden waiting beneath a dim lamp, her heart fluttering at the sight of a handsome passer-by. When a sudden sound stirs the air, she rushes to the door, only to find it was just the wind, while the moon quietly laughs at her wistful hopes.
“Inspired by this lyrical tale, James and I explored the imagined relationship between the young maiden and the mischievous spring breeze. Using a melodic phrase from the iconic song, we reimagined and expanded the music to evoke this delicate interplay.”
Sketches offers a rare and intimate look into the creative process, stripping ballet down to its rawest form: no sets, no lighting - just movement, music, and pure artistry.
