Heritage Chinese classes are designed for students from Chinese-speaking families. The goals are to help strengthen learners' Chinese literacy and foster a sense of pride in their cultural heritage and family language. The instructors focus on developing learners' reading and writing skills using a variety of learning activities appropriate for each group of learners' ages and proficiency levels.
Non-heritage Chinese classes are designed for students from non-Chinese-speaking families. The goals are to introduce learners to the Chinese culture and to build and strengthen their ability to communicate in Chinese in real-life situations. The instructors focus on developing learners' listening and speaking skills using a variety of age-appropriate learning activities such as singing songs, playing games, storytelling, and roleplaying.
The youth classes include Chinese folk, ballet, and creative movements. For the fall semester, the class starts with formal dance technique and continues with learning and practicing the preselected performance for Chinese New Year celebration. For the spring semester, the class introduces additional types of Chinese dance techniques, combining with ballet and modern dance moves, in preparation for the year-end recital.
Adult dance classes offer various types of dance training. Classes combine traditional Chinese dance with ballet and contemporary. Classes typically start with warm-ups (introducing basic ballet and contemporary dance moves). The focus will then be on learning and practicing Chinese traditional dance.
Fall 2021: Students must audition to demonstrate basic dance skills before being accepted into the class.
Spring 2022: All levels are welcome; no experience needed.
Dance classes incorporate a mix of American and Chinese dance styles into one beautiful and unique fusion that unites our cultures. The goal of this project is to bring together two cultures and create a fusion of dance styles. Classes will be held at The Station dance studio. Folk dance classes will be held weekly to improve students’ techniques and skills in the art of Chinese dance.
Lion dance is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture and other Asian countries in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume to bring good luck and fortune. The lion dance is usually performed during the Lunar New Year and other Chinese traditional, cultural, and religious festivals.
KCA lion dance classes are a hybrid of dance and martial arts that combine traditional lion dance moves with hip-hop elements and develop LED-based choreography. Sessions will be held biweekly at the Kalamazoo Chinese Christian Church (KCCC) and outdoors respectively.
Class capacity: 15 students (audition required) Classes start in September 2022.
Chinese YoYo, also known as diabolo, provides an opportunity for youth to come together to play this ancient spinning game that provides endless levels of skill development, challenge, and entertainment. Students gather to learn challenging new tricks while perfecting dazzling routines, with more experienced students helping novice students learn how to spin, toss, and perform various other tricks.
Sessions will be held biweekly at the Kalamazoo Chinese Christian Church (KCCC) and outdoors respectively.
Come join us for an exciting summer dance camp for kids ages 5 to 14 years to learn Chinese and K-pop dance moves! We'll start class with a fun, 30-minute warm-up, followed by breakout sessions. Registration fee is waived for this summer session, so don't wait. Sign up today!
Days: Mondays and Thursdays
Time: 6:15 to 7:15 pm
Dates: July 18 to August 11
Location: The Station (169 Portage St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007)
Cost: $80 for 8 classes; performance on the last day
Support provided by the Arts Fund of Kalamazoo County, a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.
The KCA Performing Arts project includes three performing groups: Chinese folk dance, lion dance, as well as Chinese YoYo. KCA Performing Arts aims to expand opportunities for artists of all ages, skill levels, backgrounds, and identities through our performing arts program. In addition to establishing Chinese culture as an integral part of the Kalamazoo community through performing arts, the expansion and diversification of our programs will showcase the uniqueness of Chinese art and culture to a wider audience without them having to travel to China. KCA Performing Arts strives to provide performing arts programs to promote access, in a safe and welcoming environment, to Kalamazoo County students underserved in the arts through the transformative power of the arts.
Contact: performingarts@kzooca.org
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