Feng Guopei

Also known as Stage name Xiao Jinlian

Feng Guopei, stage name Xiao Jinlian, was born in 1914 at Fengzuizi near Bengbu, Anhui. Taught huagudeng (flower-drum lantern dance) by two uncles, he played the female role Lanhua and was famous by sixteen. He devised steps such as the Leaning Tower, Pheasant Glide, Big Turn and Geese Alighting on Sand, founding the Feng school, and argued that Lanhua should be danced by women rather than by men in costume. His works include the huagudeng song-and-dance plays Mo Huajiao and The Lantern Players' Wedding and the dances Da Huachang, Xiao Huachang and Catching Butterflies. A national-level representative bearer of Bengbu huagudeng, he received a lifetime achievement award for dance in March 2012 and died on 22 October 2012.