Students Return to
Portsmouth Square
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Fei Tian music and dance students performed at Portsmouth Square to encourage awareness and appreciation of traditional arts in the local community.
Audience members enjoyed music performances included solo pieces by full time flute and pipa students. Full-time female dance students performed a handkerchief dance, an umbrella dance, and a fan dance. The fan dance is the newest addition to their repertoire. Full-time male dance students performed a tambourine dance, which is relatively new for them. Students were well-prepared for and performed both new dances well.
After-school students presented their handkerchief dance – different from the full-time students' dance – as well. Although both groups have performed handkerchief dances before, performances are updated and improved as the students gain experience, technical ability, and understanding of their art.
Also of note is the expanding population of student MCs at Fei Tian's performances. At this performance, two student MCs – both fine arts majors – introduced each performance in Mandarin and English. Each MC focused on announcements in one of the two languages.
Since full-time students take Chinese classical dance to fulfill their physical education requirement regardless of their major, full-time fine arts and music majors can sometimes be seen stepping into performance roles in simpler dances. Dance students likewise take music classes to enhance their interdisciplinary artistic understanding. The most complex roles and lead roles, however, are best left to the specialists!
If you missed this performance or would like to see more from them in the future, join us for our Christmas Party on December 11th or check back on our website, Facebook, and Twitter pages for future performances.
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