My Dream, My Life

Thanks to Lisa Ullmann Travelling Scholarship Fund and Arts Council England grant, I travelled to Beijing Dance Academy, the most prestigious dance school in China, and received Classical Chinese Dance training from 13th September 2010 to 31^st December 2010.

The course consisted of three modules including Classical Chinese technique class on a daily basis and Water Sleeve (水袖) and Body &Rhythm (身韵) every other day respectively. Through the three-and-a-half month training I have learnt a lot about Classical Chinese dance techniques and skills which were fairly new and unfamiliar to me before. The teaching was very precise and detailed， which helped correct my alignment and posture, and improved my flexibility and balance which are essential for a dancer.

Classical Chinese dance combines Ballet, Chinese opera and martial arts. The two main differences between Classical Chinese Dance and Ballet concern the hands; firstly, in Ballet, the palms face inwards and arms are held in horizontal arcs, but in Classical Chinese dance, the palms face and push outwards in a straight line; secondly, in Classical Chinese dance, the upper body is less rigid and more expressive than Ballet. On the other hand, the affinities shared between Chinese Classical Dance, Ballet and Contemporary dance consolidated and improved my existing abilities and knowledge. So as a dancer, I have improved my dance technique and vocabulary through this training.

Furthermore, the training has enhanced my performing skills. Chinese culture is very different from the west; Classical Chinese dance stems from thousands of years of Chinese history so it’s strongly embedded in the culture. Chinese are introvert while westerners are comparatively extrovert and Chinese women have been framed in a certain mould by the Chinese society, which inherently reflects in dance. Classical Chinese dance emphasizes femininity, exquisiteness and fluidity as well as agility. The eyes and hands are exceptionally expressive, as Chinese people believe that eyes convey the emotions and tell the stories. Even though I was born and brought up in China and spent my first 20 years over there, through this trip I have learnt a lot of new and deeper knowledge about Chinese culture. Meanwhile, this trip has given me inspiration for my future choreography and creative work. I hope to use Classical Chinese dance in a modern or western setting and combine traditional and contemporary or east and west cultures. Apart from the artistic benefits, this trip has also strengthened my links with China both professionally and personally and extended my networks outside the UK.

Additionally, while I was studying in Beijing Dance Academy I exchanged my western dance technique, choreography and education experiences with the students and teachers there, in which we learnt from each other and reflected on our own existing and future work.

Since I came back from Beijing on 2^nd January 2011, I have been working on plans for 2011. On 6^th February 2011, I will be performing at Merseyside Chinese New Year VIP Dinner and Variety Show and Movema’s Chinese New Year Celebration at the Blackie and also delivering a Classical Chinese Dance Workshop at MDI on 12^th February 2011 and workshops in various schools in Liverpool.

To sum up, the trip to Beijing Dance Academy has improved my professional skills and abilities and also helped establish my international platform and links between UK and China. As the connections between UK and China strengthen, I will continue to be a cultural ambassador for China in Britain and Britain in China.

For more photos and videos please visit www.myspace.com/fenfenhuang

My Dream, My Life

2011年1月16日星期日

My Dream, My Life: Classical Chinese Dance Training

Classical Chinese Dance Workshop

Classical Chinese Dance Training