Day 2 - Saturday 28 May 2011

Today we started the first day of our dance programme. We had an early day, waking up at 5.30 am and having our breakfast at 6 am. We had to set off from the hotel at 7 am to get to the Beijing Hai Yun Arts School by 8 am.

The Beijing Hai Yun Arts School is within the military compound and the students here stay in hostels on the premises.

 

Our pupils were treated to a wonderful display of dance skills by 2 groups of dance students from the School. We had the wonderful opportunity to sit in at 2 dance classes.

The first class was on the learning of Ji Ben Gong or Basic Skills incorporated with ballet.

See how poised they are!

Such precision and grace!

The second class was on Ju Mu Xun Lian  or Thematic Dance about Spring.

They really enthralled us with their talent, stamina and not to mention, their serious and committed attitude towards learning.

A token of appreication in the form of our digital art peice to the Head of Department Mdm Luo of the Beijing Hai Yun Dance School for organising the day's dance events.

Group pohotograph with the Head of Department Mdm Luo of the Beijing Hai Yun Dance School and our Chinese Dance Instructor, Mr Zhao.

Another group photograph with one of the sculpture works found on the school premises.

A great lunch treat - McDonald's!

At 2.30 pm, our pupils were given a Mongolian dance lesson on by Ms Li Zhen. She was an excellent teacher, who was able to impart the skills in a very nurturing and efficient way such that our girls were able to grasp them in a very short time.

It was indeed an eye-opening and beneficial day for all of us. The first-hand experience of the rigorous and intensive dance training at the Beijing Hai Yun Arts School, coupled with the training received by the highly talented teacher is indeed invaluable.

We also had a chance to interview 2 dance teachers from the School about its curriculum and programme. They were :

1)     Ms Teng Yue

2)     Ms Li Zhen

A) Students enter at 12 years old and they need to undergo an exam and audition before they are selected.

B) Undergo 5-year programme, from basic to advanced skills on the following  :

1)     Ballet

2)     Ming Jian Wu

3)     Ji Ben Gong

4)     Ju Mu Xun Lian (Theme Dance)

5)     Gu Dian Wu

C) School Prog :

• Lessons are on 51/2 days a week.
• 2 terms per year lasting 5 months per term.
• Holidays are between one to 2 months.

D) Typical Dance Curriculum for each day, interspersed with academic lessons on Maths, Science, History, Geography & Cultural Studies :

6.00 am to 6.30 am	Wake up
6.10 am to 8.00 am	Warming-Up & Breakfast
8.00 am to 9.30 am	1st lesson
9.30 am to 9.50 am	Rest
9.50 am to 11.20 am	2nd lesson
11.20 am to 12.15 pm	Lunch
12.15 pm – 1.30 pm	Rest and Afternoon Siesta
1.30 pm – 2.00 pm	Warming-Up
2.00 pm – 3.30 pm	1st Afternoon Lesson
3.30 pm – 4.30 pm	Rest
4.00 pm – 5.30 pm	2nd Afternoon Lesson
5.30 pm – 7.00 pm	Rest & Dinner
7.00 pm – 8.30 pm	Own Revision/Practice or Night Rehearsal
8.30 pm – 10.00 pm	Own Time
10.00 pm	Lights Out



 

The girls enjoyed every minute of the training and took the lessons very seriously too.