The Chiang Kai Shek College Chinese Dance Troupe was awarded one of the 10 Outstanding Performances Awards (十佳表演獎) at the 3rd World Overseas Chinese Cultural Dance Competition 「二零一四年「文化中國‧全球華人中華才藝 (舞蹈) 大賽」 held in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China from November 8 to 12, 2014.

The dance troupe was among 38 contestants selected from more than 200 entries worldwide. "That itself we felt was an achievement. The girls had been given a chance to compete in an event like this for the first time," CKS College HR staff, assistant dance troupe coach, and former Chinese Dance Troupe member, Janine Go said. Ms. Go accompanied the Chinese Dance Troupe together with CKS College Developmental Studies Director Mrs. Felisa Dy, Dance Troupe head coach Mr. Marvin Ng, and Shaun Lim, another assistant coach who is a CKS College undergraduate student and former Dance Troupe member. The Chiang Kai Shek College Alumni Association (CKSCAA) also provided wholehearted support for the troupe.

 

The CKS College team registered for the competition on November 8, with the actual competition taking place the very next day. Ms. Go said, "I was very proud of our team's performance. I watched with the audience. They were graceful, in sync. They worked very, very hard preparing for that moment."  

The Chinese Dance Troupe's cultural presentation represented the tribes of the Miao (苗) people, featuring costumes with a distinct asymmetrical design evoking colors and fluid movements of water. The team was awarded one of the "Ten Outstanding Performances" Awards, five of which were awarded to solo, duo, and trio performances, and the remaining five for group performances.   

"We were a little sad we did not take the grand prize... it was won by a team from Malaysia," Ms. Go continued, "But we learned a lot from this experience. We'll have a better benchmark for our dancing going forward. I can't say enough how proud Sir Marvin, Shaun, and I were of what the girls showed for after all those practice sessions."

It is evident the Chinese Dance Troupe not only enjoy excellent camaraderie onstage, they're very good friends offstage, as well. Practice and backstage preparations would probably not be running like clockwork without each member's willingness to support and look out for each other. And after performances, they have fun! "We're more like siblings, actually," Ms. Go admitted. "I still remember my happy days as a member. Our experiences together will definitely be treasured forever."

The team came back to a quiet, though no less proud welcome at the alma mater, with school president Dr. Dory Poa congratulating each member, encouraging them to keep their passion for their art alive, and perhaps consider special programs in CKS College education courses that, in detail, should further enrich their understanding of modern and historical Chinese culture as well as open opportunities to explore and make connections.

Cheers to the Chinese Dance Troupe for a job well done. The future looks bright.

 

Photos courtesy of the Chiang Kai Shek Alumni Association, Ms. Janine Go, the Chinese Dance Troupe (2014-2015), and Mr. Miguel Ong.

For students interested in joining the Chiang Kai Shek College Chinese and Filipino Dance Troupes, please drop by the Dance Room for inquiries, or wait for official audition announcements through the Chiang Kai Shek College website and social media accounts.