(Clearwisdom.net) On December 30, 2008, Divine Performing Arts (DPA) New York Company staged its first show in the greater Detroit area, in Michigan, USA. The show was a great success, and the applause lasted a long time after the curtain fell.
Xue Ning is a Chinese dance teacher and the Associate Principal at the Oriental Art School
Xue Ning, a Chinese dance teacher and the Associate Principal at the Oriental Art School, was excited about the show. During the intermission she told a reporter, "I had thought it would be similar to the last time I saw it, but it was a brand new show. I am surprised! The opening was very magnificent and moving. The idea, background and the stage design blended very well and grabbed the audience's attention.
"The dance technique and the music were very elegant. The entire coloring, costume designs, and stage setups left me feeling peaceful and refreshed. As a dancer, I am very inspired."
When asked about her opinion as a professional dancer, Ms. Xue said, "The artists are young and energetic. They have great potential because their basic technique of classical dance is terrific. Their jumping and spinning technique is world class. They all seem to be in their early 20s and they are amazing. It would take a dancer who wanted to reach such achievement at least 10 years of hard practice.
"The artists are young but they have excellent understanding and expression of Chinese classical dance. They must have spent a lot of time practicing. I admire them because without spending years of time and learning a lot of Chinese history and classical dance, no one can achieve this level."
Xue Ning stated that the precise coordination within the group is something hard to come by. "Their overall coordination was great and it's rarely seen. Normally, classical dance is very conservative. DPA's creativity and stage setup went very well with every artist. The individual performances mixed in well with the different groups of performers on the stage. This is the essence of each program."
Ms. Xue continued, "As for the music, I am so impressed. Traditionally classical dances go with traditional music. Divine Performing Arts has its unique style; they made their own music that adequately expressed the essence of Chinese classical dances. Bravo!"
Ms. Xue especially liked two dances, "Yi Ethnic Dance" and the male dancers' "Dragon Springs Drums." "In 'Yi Ethnic Dance,' the shirts, skirts and movements were truly elegant. Their costumes contributed to the dance's luxurious aspect and elegance and created a very beautiful picture. 'Dragon Springs Drums'" was very powerful with marvelous basic skills. They manifested power and their facial expressions were very rich. The drums must have made a tremendous impression on the audience.
"A dance is not just technical skills but includes the dancer's feeling and understanding. Only when these factors all combine well can a dance be fully expressed. The artists accomplished every aspect nicely, with high quality throughout. They are indeed world class."
Xue Ning summed up her impression of the performance. "I am very moved. The impact of their performance and their belief touched me. I cried a lot today. The dance, 'Flowing Sleeves' was so pretty. The first dance, 'The Five Millennia Begin,' promotes the Chinese culture. I thank Divine Performing Arts for bringing traditional Chinese culture to every corner of the world."
