Dance Program at FTAA

The dance program at the Fei Tian Academy of the Arts is an extraordinary one. Its goal is to revive and promote the genuine, compassionate, and beautiful traditional Chinese dance in its purest forms and help students become professional quality dance artists who not only have an outstanding command of academic and artistic skills, but also demonstrate a strong moral character.

The program has a strong emphasis on Chinese classical dance with its unique identity and style, its vivid characteristics, and a refined, sophisticated essence. As an art form, it encompasses the Chinese culture and is a part of the heritage that has been passed down through the long history of China. The unique essence of Chinese classical dance includes the human nature of truthfulness, benevolence, and beauty. The beauty of Chinese classical dance is a treasure that can be shared by all people. Many of the dance artists at Fei Tian Academy of the Arts regard promoting and advancing Chinese classical dance to the global stage as their mission. More about Chinese classical dance ...

Dance instruction at Fei Tian consists of three levels: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. Divisions of these levels, together with practical performance opportunities, enable students to gradually master the profound skills and know-how involved in Chinese dance. Students who successfully complete the Advanced Level of dance training will receive a Fei Tian Certificate of Artistic Achievement.

Initially, students will be evaluated in terms of their previous background in dance, their ability, and their potential, and will be assigned into different levels accordingly. Each level of the dance instruction provides training at varying depths in the following areas:

• Techniques of Chinese classical dance - This course covers the basic techniques for Chinese classical dance performance, including body rhythm and body posture, and the spiritual essence in body movements. Students also master the use of ribbons, fans, and drums etc in their dances.
• Basic Ballet techniques – This course covers a graded study of the exercises and vocabulary of the classical technique with a strong emphasis on placement, alignment, coordination, and movement quality.
• Waist and leg techniques for dancers (腰腿功) - A training of waist and leg movements for dancers. Basic techniques include 鹞子翻身, 涮腰, 飞脚, 旋子, 探海, 铁门槛, 朝天蹬, etc.
• Acrobatic skills for dancers (毯子功) - This course focuses on jumping and leaping techniques (扑, 跌, 翻, 滚, 腾, 跃 etc), which help to increase flexibility and develop physical strength for dancers. It can be considered as a combination of martial arts, dance and gymnastics, but with the elements and essence of Chinese classic dance emphasized.
• Repertoire of Chinese classical dance, Chinese ethnic dance, and Chinese folk dance – Students learn and perform classical court dance from the different dynasties and folk dance of the various regions and ethnicities including but not limited to Mongolian, Tibetan, Dai, and Han dance. Students are also exposed to choreography and costume making in addition to studying the history and unique culture associated with each type of dance. This comprehensive program and teaching approach is unique in the United States and around the world.
• Elements of performance – A study to develop the performer's powers of projection. The course emphasizes the difference between simply displaying movement and effectively communicating it to an audience. The building of concentration, awareness of stylistic differences, and the establishment of professional rehearsal behavior are developed.
• Music for dancers - This course aims to develop dancers’ understanding of music and its relationship to the field of dance, and to train dancers to feel the beat and rhythm of music. Topics such as phrasing, song structure, syncopation, instrumental cues, and presentation are also covered.

Fei Tian Academy of the Arts will also arrange performance opportunities for its students both in communities and in professional venues so students can gain valuable experience performing in front of live audiences. These opportunities will not only enhance their artistic development but will also help them become more professional and disciplined in their conduct. These performances will also help to present the best of traditional Chinese dance to the public.