CHINESE NEW YEAR 2010 !!!
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Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Newspaper Report from The Star
Roaring to go: young lion dancers
By IAN YEE
Chang Weng Sheng, 19, from the Catholic High School Alumni Association (CHSAA) Lion Dance Troupe, has been playing the cymbals alongside lion dancers since he was 14.
“Some people think it’s just noise, but to us, it is a skill. We take it as a challenge each time to make the music perfect,” said Chang, who is a foundation student at Metropolitan College in Subang Jaya, Selangor.
The Catholic High School Alumni Association Lion Dance Troupe practices three times a week at night to accomodate members who are working.
Unfortunately, Chang says most of his peers don’t quite understand what lion dance is about.
“I think there’s less appreciation for lion dance among young people these days. Some of my college friends do find what I do to be a waste of time, but I certainly don’t agree with them.
“Being part of the troupe has taught me many things, like self-discipline. When we go for our performances, we all have to learn to behave and uphold the name of the troupe. And we also have to be disciplined in our practice,” said Chang.
For younger lion dancers like Choo Chun Chean, 15, also from the CHSAA troupe, it’s the parents who are sometimes not quite so understanding of what they do.
Choo goes for two to three practices a week, and he says they last about “three to four hours only”.
“My parents often ask me why I’m always going for lion dance practices, and I don’t know how to explain to them that it’s my passion. It’s hard work, but I feel it’s worth it.
“I had to tell my parents weeks in advance that I would be busy around Chinese New Year, so they would be prepared to not have me around. They try to understand,” Choo said.
But Choo has plenty of support from the other members in the troupe. Lion dance is based a lot on teamwork between the musicians and dancers. Trust between the dancers is vital too, especially when they perform some of the dangerous stunts that require strong coordination. Thus, troupe members develop a strong bond among each other.
The CHSAA Lion Dance Troupe practising one of their stunts.
“I don’t feel bad at all about having to practise or perform during the New Year. I’m happy to do it. My friends here (at the troupe) are like brothers to me. The older members always look out for me, and they teach me a lot about how to be a good person,” said Choo.
http://rage.com.my/writeups/story.asp?file=/2010/2/10/features/20100210102206&sec=features
By IAN YEE
Chang Weng Sheng, 19, from the Catholic High School Alumni Association (CHSAA) Lion Dance Troupe, has been playing the cymbals alongside lion dancers since he was 14.
“Some people think it’s just noise, but to us, it is a skill. We take it as a challenge each time to make the music perfect,” said Chang, who is a foundation student at Metropolitan College in Subang Jaya, Selangor.
The Catholic High School Alumni Association Lion Dance Troupe practices three times a week at night to accomodate members who are working.
Unfortunately, Chang says most of his peers don’t quite understand what lion dance is about.
“I think there’s less appreciation for lion dance among young people these days. Some of my college friends do find what I do to be a waste of time, but I certainly don’t agree with them.
“Being part of the troupe has taught me many things, like self-discipline. When we go for our performances, we all have to learn to behave and uphold the name of the troupe. And we also have to be disciplined in our practice,” said Chang.
For younger lion dancers like Choo Chun Chean, 15, also from the CHSAA troupe, it’s the parents who are sometimes not quite so understanding of what they do.
Choo goes for two to three practices a week, and he says they last about “three to four hours only”.
“My parents often ask me why I’m always going for lion dance practices, and I don’t know how to explain to them that it’s my passion. It’s hard work, but I feel it’s worth it.
“I had to tell my parents weeks in advance that I would be busy around Chinese New Year, so they would be prepared to not have me around. They try to understand,” Choo said.
But Choo has plenty of support from the other members in the troupe. Lion dance is based a lot on teamwork between the musicians and dancers. Trust between the dancers is vital too, especially when they perform some of the dangerous stunts that require strong coordination. Thus, troupe members develop a strong bond among each other.
The CHSAA Lion Dance Troupe practising one of their stunts.
“I don’t feel bad at all about having to practise or perform during the New Year. I’m happy to do it. My friends here (at the troupe) are like brothers to me. The older members always look out for me, and they teach me a lot about how to be a good person,” said Choo.
http://rage.com.my/writeups/story.asp?file=/2010/2/10/features/20100210102206&sec=features
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