In the just finished Chinese Classical Dance Competition, Taiwan performer Yung Chia Chen and his apprentice Hsiao Feng Chang won first and second prizes respectively. Their success drew much attention, people are curious how they persist in their pursuit of Chinese classical dance in modern society.
Chen performed as a ancient Chinese knight in the final competition, his movements have both strength and agility, as the judge commented, "run and hold at will, controls oneself felicitously."
Chen told the reporter, "This performance is not based on any historic event. I just wanted to express the spirit, the artistic conception, use my sword and stage prop to express the spirit of Chinese classical dance — soft and rigid, yet at the same time punishing the evil and promoting the good."
Harmonizing Both Body and Mind
Many from the audience and journalists commented that the master and apprentice are not just dancing, their performance shows connotation, persistence, smoothness and strength all at the same time. They show people that this ancient art form, which strengthens the harmony of body and mind, has an endless space to be explored.
After receiving the award, Chen said that Chinese culture is profound and immense, dance is the heritage of Chinese culture and values. To him, passing down the dance is like passing down the culture and its values. "I think a lot of my apprentice Hsiao Feng Chang's award, more than my own." said Chen.
Chen said he saw himself in his apprentice, and after the competition he is more confident about the way he trains his student.
The Concrete Form of Traditional Chinese Values and Philosophy
Professor Guo Xie said, the Chinese classical dance emphasizes much of the inner meaning, a good performer must constantly study and improve himself. The expanse of one's performance is the embodiment of one's experiences, and the internal enlightenment of one's life.
Guo gave an example, "Chinese people emphasize harmony of body and mind, although dance is in motion, but when an actor reaches the state of tranquility, one's dance can synchronize with one's breath. This kind of tranquility actually brings the performer the energy and free control of one's body to complete the most difficult movement.
Second prize winner of adult male group Yi Chun Chang said, one must religiously restrict oneself if he (she) wants to be a good Chinese classical dance artist. Chinese classical dance emphasizes that the performer express the "spirit and rhythm," the "motion in circle," this "circle" is very different when compared to the "focal point" in western dance. And to perfect one's dance, one needs to apply this philosophy in daily life, one should rectify one's speech, behavior and attitude, one should maintain harmony with the people around them.
Faith in Chinese Culture
Sio Lok Chan from Hong Kong received a prize in the competition. She said that it is her faith in China's five thousand years of culture that helped her walk through the hardships and continue on the road of Chinese classical dance.
Chan said, "Now, in this modern world, few people could endure the loneliness required to pursue this art form. This is totally different from modern dance, which emphasizes the expression of one's desires and emotion. Chinese classical dance emphasizes one's cultivation, self-control and being true to oneself or in harmony throughout oneself, strictly circumscribing oneself, without the recognition and persistence of traditional Chinese culture, one cannot resist the temptations of the modern world."
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