Dancing their hearts out

Children dancing to Disney songs during the 38th Graduation Dinner and Dance party.

IT WAS a magical night for students from Henry Dance Studio as they put their best foot forward in dance performances to celebrate their Disney-themed 38th Graduation Dinner and Dance party.

About 300 guests attended the annual affair with the theme “A Magical Disney”, as students performed hip-hop, Latin as well as standard ballroom dances to Disney songs.

Studio director and principal Henry Chan thanked the students and their parents for their support.

“The main intention of the graduation party is for everyone to have fun and expose the younger dancers to dancing on stage.

“It is not an easy feat for dancers as young as three to dance on stage, so their courage and parents’ support should be applauded.

“For adult social and competitive dancers, we hope this party can hone their skills, a place for them

to foster closer bonds as well as train for competitions locally and globally.

“Also, the graduation party is to recognise and congratulate those who had passed the National Association of Teachers of Dancing (NATD) examinations held in May this year,” he said during the event at Royal Lake Club, Kuala Lumpur.

The studio has about 150 students with six professional dance instructors.

It conducts classes for three different dance categories – hip-hop, Latin and ballroom dancing.

Dance classes also include Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Jive, Paso Doble, Waltz, Quick Step, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz.

“We are different from other dance studios as most do not accept students as young as three years old but we have students from three to over 60 years old.

“Currently, dancing is also being counted as part of the curriculum for students and we hope that it will remain the same next year.

“Dancing might be regarded as a sport, but to me, it is an art that is expressed and appreciated through different kinds of rhythm,” Chan said.

There are 10 different grades in the NATD examinations and the students who passed were given a certificate of excellence and a trophy.

Chan added that the studio also rewarded 10 students who showed exemplary achievement in three different dance categories – Juvenile, Junior and Adult.

“These students showed good grades in the examination as well as commendable attitude throughout the year,” he said.

Students who were awarded the Best Student Achievement Awards 2018 in the Juvenile category were Lim Yu Qian, Low Jun Hong and Kseniia Volyk, while in the Junior category, the recipients were Lye Jing, Lye Yeu, Yap Chai Yi and Zhao Yi Tong.

Meanwhile, in the Adult category, the recipients were Lee Su Foo, Chew Wai Weng and Lee Shin Wey.