The winner of 20th National Awards of Art.

Graduated from New York University as a Master majoring in performing arts and choreography, YAO, Shu-Fen is now teaching in National Taiwan University of Arts mainly focusing on improvisation, composition and contemporary technique. She is now also the leader and main choreographer of Century Contemporary Dance Company.

During her time of studying in the USA she got the scholarships from Merce Cunningham School and American Asian Cultural Foundation. The American dance magazine Attitude, had commented：“ from her there are many things to learn, and she is a precious dance performer”. In 1999, she was selected by the Ministry of Education to go to Paris Artist Village for one year. Her style changes with the time and her main concern is to reflect our time and the relationship between humanity and the environment.

Shu-fen Yao tends to take the details of life as her materials. Her works often use fantastic realism style combined with 3 dimensional collages. Her works have a dreamy like feeling that is unique and singular. She is a master of using dance movement to convey theatrical tension. Her friends often call her “Choreographer that breathes with her pores.” She had worked as a choreographer and movement trainer with Rive-Gauche for years. “Double Happiness” was commissioned by ADT Dance company and it won “Best Creation Award” at American College Dance Festival. Elizabeth Zimmer, the Village Voice critic, said: “Double Happiness is well combined the traditional Chinese dance with creative contemporary dance concept…” In 2004, she was a guest choreographer in“Jimmy --- Subway musical journey” production, as well as “Moon Festival” of National C.K.S Cultural Center.

“From sight-seeing to space-moving” was nominated by Taishing Arts Award, and she was under scheme of British Council and Taiwaness Council artist exchange program. And the same year, “Morendo From E major to A minor” was invited to DanceCity of Newcastle. She is also a resident artist at Grass Mountain Chateau. In 2006, “I get a kick out of you” was commissioned by Newcastle International Dance Festival and her latest oeuvre, “Four Winds, Four Bliss”, with CCDC was invited to present in the festival as well. “Sea of Heaven” was choreographed by Yao while working with Dance Forum Theatre as a guest artist ,and she pondered long and deep to choreograph ‘’Les Noces’’ in 2009. In 2010, Yao was invited being the assistant director of La Fura dels Baus of 2010 Shanghai Expo Thematic Show“Window of the City”and choreographed the Tenth Anniversary of Century Contemporary Dance Company “Les Noces / Le Sacre Du Printemps”.