Tagged: Hong Kong, Performance, Dance, Contemporary Dance, International, Sheung Wan Civic Centre, Choreography, Festival, Unity Space, 5,6,7… What’s Next? Moving between past and present, Major’s choreography zapped us through time with classical piano variations by Debussy, contrasted by remixed music sounds and contemporary dance movements. I was always very interested in how the dancers I worked with started out, as their early training was clearly fundamental in establishing who they became. As the coronavirus pandemic stretches on, the dance world continues to be faced with unprecedented challenges, but USC Kaufman's faculty and BFA students haven't shied away from them. This year, Unity Space presented and produced the 4th Hong Kong International Choreography Festival (HKICF) at the Sheung Wan Civic Centre Theatre in Hong Kong. Choreographers also drew from earlier Romantic literature for inspiration for ballets such as La Sylphide. "I'm looking for stories where the women don't have to kill themselves. Focus on learning smaller sections or phrases at a time; because we all learn at a different pace. For example falling on your face, you could try experimenting with moves beforehand that will disguise the mistake. Questions like clarifying specific movement at points you are getting stuck on, breaking down the transitions between steps to allow for seamless execution and to understand the intention of movements. It requires strength, stamina, proper alignment, flexibility, core strength and a lot of practice. The amalgamation of the choreography, the dancer’s movements, and the intriguing design elements made for a touching piece of art that speaks on behalf of our everyday lives of navigating through the complexity of the modern world and the simplicity of nature. Articulating through the demi-pointe when you descent from a jump and bending the knees the moment your feet touch the ground, allows for a soft and quiet landing. How much information are you able to absorb at a time? Epilogue was utterly classic and ethereal. Pei-Jia Hsu Photo by Dilip Bhoye @dilipbhoye. She began researching 1960s America and discovered Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique, which challenged the American ideal of the housewife-mother role, was published the same year. So whether it’s listening to a Christmas playlist, or watching a dance performance, take advantage of what the performing arts has to offer us! You have to go down before you can go up... Pliés are the most important building block for jumping. He reminds us that dance is but one piece in the bigger picture of our lives, but it is a piece that can have a fruitfully vibrant and artistic impact on our very being. Now is your opportunity to give it your all. Sidney Ramsey (BFA '21) in Saleemah E. Knight's class last year, USC Kaufman artist in residence Hope Boykin leading rehearsal last semester, USC Kaufman dancer Benjamin Peralta (BFA '22), "If the world was a bunch of people sitting in a room, and you raise your hand, then you better have something interesting to say," says our February cover star @rajafeatherkelly. This becomes especially important when doing slower grand allegros. A suitable location for the piece, West Kowloon Cultural District epitomizes the very idea of bridging nature and the cityscape through art. "But it was not on trend because everyone wanted deconstructed movement.". (Also not to be overlooked: More women are directing major companies than ever before.) Stage fright occurs in a lot of people, due to lack of experience, however as a dancer, the chances of having to perform on stage one time or another, are very likely. "You have a rehearsal process, and then a filming process, and a production process of putting it together," says assistant professor of practice Jennifer McQuiston Lott of the prerecorded and professionally edited festival. Creating magic through dance, the pointe work is absolutely stunning as the audience is given the illusion that the dancers are on ice. If you always follow the recipe above without taking shortcuts, you can be sure to be on the safe side of allegro. There are so many ways to celebrate the holiday season, but the arts always play a large role in how we enjoy this festive time of year! This is a term you will hear quite often in a ballet class. Similarly, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa has long felt a pull toward narratives. Performed by Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary … Ballet dancers are often culprits of this habit, known as 'the short cut.' You would never bake a cake without preparing the ingredients first right? The way Alamanos & Dimitriadi articulated and manoeuvred their fingers, hands and arms was intriguing to the naked human eye. Learning something new will always come with a fraction of nerves, as it presents changes which can be daunting. Whether your performance is smooth or not, this learning experience is never wasted time. I want the RAD to be a conduit for positive change in our ballet world and to increase the ability for every type of student to find a welcoming place to study. Sometimes, creative inspiration quickly strikes and you know exactly what story you’ll be telling through your choreography.