Fanfare
20th Dance Studio Concert
Ling Hui’s Dance Studio celebrated its 20th year in Port Townsend with the annual June concert showcasing this year’s hard work and dedication. The students ranged in age from 4 to 18, and are studying ballet and modern dance.
A native of Taiwan, Ling Hui studied in Japan and at the University of Colorado. She served as Educational Director of the Crown Studio, Taipei Dance Forum Company. For the last twenty years she has worked in Port Townsend with dancers of all ages. Ling Hui teaches the Russian Vaganova method of dance and her Contemporary Dance is based on Jose Limon and Merce Cunningham training.
This year’s concert opened with the signature piece “Fanfare,” a joyous celebration of new beginnings, in honor of the dance studio’s new home at 1968 Water Street. In a swirl of pale pink tulle, this traditional, classical ballet with music by Leo Delibes blended all students, ages, and skill levels -- and mingled them together in charming alternation. The older, most-skilled ballerinas interwove with the youngest, presenting the audience with a literal “before your eyes” progression in the making of a ballet dancer.
Ling Hui urged her Intermediate Contemporary Group to “get their fierce on” with “Warrior.” From the moment the Japanese Taiko drums began to boom, this group swerved and slashed like fighting kites, an impression heightened by the bright neon stripes of their costumes.
The Intermediate/Advanced Contemporary Dancers in deep royal-blue presented “Wings of Desire” with the evocative music of Phillip Glass. Cascades of piano notes urged the dancers to reach and retreat in the age-old language of yearning and desire. The floor work in this piece was particularly striking.
The costumes were not the only thing that sparkled as the Intermediate/Advanced Ballet Dancers presented “Pleiades.” With lush, romantic music by Franz Schubert, this piece was a lavender dream -- much like a playful wind twirling and reversing clouds on a moonlit, starry night ... (that’s the great thing about watching dance -- everyone gets to make up their own story.)
Chinese classical music accompanied “Ambush,” presented by the Committed Performance Group. This piece moved to a darker place, where challenges must be met and overcome -- where the group is all -- and all around is danger. There were elements of Chinese opera evident, as well as the alert precision of the best acrobatic troupes.
More treats: “Tooth Fairies vs. Sugar Plum Fairies,” “Alpha Beta Gaga,” “Smile,” and “Dance with Me”, offered a full range of variety in both dance styles and music.
Concert dates were June 17 and Saturday, June 18 at Wheeler Theater in Fort Worden State Park. Ling Hui has always maintained that she does not train dancers -- she trains artists. Her students will be well prepared for any challenge that lies ahead.
20th Dance Studio Concert
Ling Hui’s Dance Studio celebrated its 20th year in Port Townsend with the annual June concert showcasing this year’s hard work and dedication. The students ranged in age from 4 to 18, and are studying ballet and modern dance.
A native of Taiwan, Ling Hui studied in Japan and at the University of Colorado. She served as Educational Director of the Crown Studio, Taipei Dance Forum Company. For the last twenty years she has worked in Port Townsend with dancers of all ages. Ling Hui teaches the Russian Vaganova method of dance and her Contemporary Dance is based on Jose Limon and Merce Cunningham training.
This year’s concert opened with the signature piece “Fanfare,” a joyous celebration of new beginnings, in honor of the dance studio’s new home at 1968 Water Street. In a swirl of pale pink tulle, this traditional, classical ballet with music by Leo Delibes blended all students, ages, and skill levels -- and mingled them together in charming alternation. The older, most-skilled ballerinas interwove with the youngest, presenting the audience with a literal “before your eyes” progression in the making of a ballet dancer.
Ling Hui urged her Intermediate Contemporary Group to “get their fierce on” with “Warrior.” From the moment the Japanese Taiko drums began to boom, this group swerved and slashed like fighting kites, an impression heightened by the bright neon stripes of their costumes.
The Intermediate/Advanced Contemporary Dancers in deep royal-blue presented “Wings of Desire” with the evocative music of Phillip Glass. Cascades of piano notes urged the dancers to reach and retreat in the age-old language of yearning and desire. The floor work in this piece was particularly striking.
The costumes were not the only thing that sparkled as the Intermediate/Advanced Ballet Dancers presented “Pleiades.” With lush, romantic music by Franz Schubert, this piece was a lavender dream -- much like a playful wind twirling and reversing clouds on a moonlit, starry night ... (that’s the great thing about watching dance -- everyone gets to make up their own story.)
Chinese classical music accompanied “Ambush,” presented by the Committed Performance Group. This piece moved to a darker place, where challenges must be met and overcome -- where the group is all -- and all around is danger. There were elements of Chinese opera evident, as well as the alert precision of the best acrobatic troupes.
More treats: “Tooth Fairies vs. Sugar Plum Fairies,” “Alpha Beta Gaga,” “Smile,” and “Dance with Me”, offered a full range of variety in both dance styles and music.
Concert dates were June 17 and Saturday, June 18 at Wheeler Theater in Fort Worden State Park. Ling Hui has always maintained that she does not train dancers -- she trains artists. Her students will be well prepared for any challenge that lies ahead.