WRITTEN BY VIVIAN SU AND GLORIA GUI
During the recent lunar new year’s celebration events at Wesbrook Community Centre, Emily Dance Group performed its dance, “Gentle Breeze and Light Rain,” which is described as a fusion of modern and traditional Chinese folk dancing.
We were grateful to be part of the group of performers at the event, wearing our dresses, designed in the Chinese Cheongsam (qipao) style, holding silk fans, and dancing gracefully with soothing music. The aim of our dance was to express the feeling of a woman in love, in a beautiful world filled with joy.
Emily Dance Group started over 10 years ago in the university neighbourhoods. Dance teacher Emily Li and her family immigrated to Canada and have been living here on UBC Campus since 2005.
She graduated from Minzu University of China in Beijing with a bachelor’s degree in dance education. Over the past decade, Emily has shared her knowledge of dance professionally with her fellow campus residents. Every year Emily and her students love to share their talents and celebrate the traditional holidays together.
On the second floor of Wesbrook Community Centre, as we rehearse, sunlight shines through the window from the south, touching down on our fluttering dresses. It is here where we love to keep learning and practicing to dance. Especially in this studio, with great views and a walkable distance from our homes.
VIVIAN SU IS A MEMBER OF THE CAMPUS RESIDENT NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL COMMITTEE AND EMILY DANCE GROUP.
GLORIA GUI IS A MEMBER OF EMILY DANCE GROUP AND LIVES IN THE UNIVERSITY NEIGHBOURHOODS.