( CNN ) -- It was a five cent Chinese yuan coin that gave Tan Yuan Yuan the chance to dance . Poise , character and determination led to Tan becoming San Francisco Ballet 's first Chinese principal dancer . Born into a traditional family in Shanghai , the obstacles Tan broke through to become one of today 's most critically acclaimed ballerinas began at home . Her mother who had wanted to be a ballerina saw that her daughter 's physique , looks and determination fitted perfectly into a ballerina 's profile and encouraged Tan to become one . `` She wanted me to fulfill her dream , '' Tan told CNN 's Talk Asia . But her father , an engineer , had a different plan for his daughter . `` He wanted me to become a doctor or an engineer ... because I was a good student in school , '' Tan said . Her father saw ballet as a western art form inappropriate for a traditional Chinese girl and as a career that is unstable and short . The two settled their differences with a flip of a coin that landed in favor of her mother 's wishes and her father accepted the defeat as a matter of fate . The relationship between ballet and Tan began at the age of five when Tan was mesmerized by the beauty of a performance of Swan Lake on TV . Apart from the tutus and the fairy queen 's crown , the music and the ballerina 's movements impressed her . At age 11 , Tan began her rigorous training at Shanghai Dance School and graduated four years later . But entering Shanghai Dance School a year later than the other pupils made it difficult for Tan to catch up . `` I was n't very good . I was always in the corner crying , '' said Tan . Things took a turn for the better in her third year when Ms. Ling , a new teacher took over the class and `` put her full time into our ballet trainings , '' Tan added . When CNN asked about her motivation to be an incredible performer , she explained : `` It is in Chinese blood to always try your best ... and no matter what happens today , for example , if your back gives out or your foot is in pain or your toe is bleeding , no matter what happens you always give the audience a perfect show . '' San Francisco Ballet artistic director , Helgi Tomasson , saw this desire and determination in Tan at an international ballet competition in France and immediately stole her from Stuttgart Ballet in Germany that had offered her a scholarship . Joining the company in 1995 , two years later she became the first Chinese principal dancer in San Francisco 's 70 year history . Along the way to becoming one of the world 's best ballerinas , she has won three international dancing awards , danced at the White House for former President Bill Clinton , and was named one of TIME magazine 's `` Asia 's Heroes '' in 2004 . But despite the accolades , Tan remains down to earth , even sewing her own point shoes with elastics and ribbons to attain the perfect shape for her feet . `` The shoes are just part of my life ... it usually takes me more than half an hour to sew , '' she said . She has recently accepted Hong Kong Ballet 's offer to be a guest principal dancer in `` Tricolor '' , three 20th century masterpieces which include George Balanchine 's Rubies , Serge Lifar 's `` Suite en Blanc '' , and Antony Tudor 's `` Jardin aux Lilas '' . In the future , Tan hopes to be a ballet educator , choreographer or designer in both China and the United States . But in the meantime she has decided to follow her Buddhist teachings and just `` go with the flow . '' `` If a good opportunity comes to me I will embrace it . I am very grateful that I have this opportunity ; if it 's not mine , it 's not mine , '' she told CNN .
Tan Yuan Yuan is San Francisco Ballet 's principal dancer . TL;DR The company will perform at the opening of a new theater in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday. Growing up in traditional Chinese family , her father wanted her to be a doctor .