Dance Origin: China Genre: Traditional Chinese Classic Dance Manager: Ping Yan First Appearance in SF EDF: 2009 Email:pyan@pacbell.net
5,000 years ago, the ancient Chinese chose dance as the art
form to pay respect to heaven and the divine, to appreciate the universe and
life, and to praise kindness and virtue. Dance was celebrated
in many regional forms and genres for centuries. Then in 1919, the unique
system known as classical Chinese dance was born, when dedicated artists began
to document and formally combine cultural diverse elements. Artists merged
elements of folk operas; ballet technique, including the port de bras with its flowing movement, rounded arms, and simple
and graceful hands; and Chinese martial art
forms—including flips and tumbling. Classical dance
is highly technical. Movements called “body techniques” are accurate and
precise, and every movement is interconnected. The form also reflects the
divine, and so dancers must "let the movements be lead by spirit” and
perfect their moral character and willpower.
Grace Lee
Grant is American-born Chinese and has been studying Chinese culture since she
was four. She has trained in Western ballet and received merit scholarships
with the San Francisco Ballet, School
of America Ballet, and
American Ballet Theater. She won many dance awards at a young age including
YAGP Regional Grand Prix and Championship of United States International
Multi-Arts Festival. She dances to share the vivid stories and ancient wisdom
of Chinese history and traditional culture, a recognition which Grace says,
"emphasizes one's cultivation, self-control and harmony . . . . and helps one resist the temptations of the modern world."
2009 PERFORMANCE
Title: Brushing On My Heartstring Choreographers: Ms. Tong Rui, Mrs. Yang Lion Soloist: Grace Lee Grant
. . . We give our attention to beautiful
poems. When the mind is exalted, the body is
lightened And feels as if it could float in the wind . .
. Wei
Yingwu (Tang Dynasty)
Beside flowing water, and under the shadow of majestic
mountains, a young girl enjoys writing a poem. She dances alone and focuses
herself to create the beautiful calligraphy. As the spirit flows through her;
music, dancer, brush, and word become one.
Grace wears a
Tang Dynasty court dance costume decorated with plum blossoms, symbols of resilience
and perseverance. Her silk fan
pantomimes the brush. The music of a classic Chinese palace guzheng (a form of zither) evokes a cascading waterfall, flowing water, and scenic countryside.
This dance was created in 2001 for the
China Classic Dance Competition by Tong Rui. It was performed at San Jose
Montgomery Theater for the China SiChuan Earth Quake Donation in 2008. Grace
Lee Grant is performing it for the first time today. This choreography
is famous among Chinese dancers for its high technique; it is also unusual for
the untraditionally strong feminine role, as the girl boldly writes her
thoughts.
