In the scorching summer, a unique “Dream Performance” was held in the Loucun Community of Xinhu Street, Guangming District. Through nine carefully choreographed programs such as “Flutter,” “Leap,” and “Soar,” the performance showcased the growth and future aspirations of the girls in the Loucun Community. This is part of a public welfare project I initiated and planned—the Loucun Community Ballet Charity Class, which has built a bridge for the children in the community to pursue their dreams.
Project Initiation—The Beginning of a Challenge
I have been learning ballet since childhood. Over a decade of dance, I have gained confidence, joy, and even some honors. Ballet is not just an artistic expression but also a form of positive energy, capable of influencing others. There were times when I thought about giving up dance, but thanks to the encouragement of other excellent dancers, I overcame my limitations and persisted. I now hope that through dance, I can positively impact others.
The Loucun Community Ballet Charity Class originated from a community service experience. While conducting a survey in Loucun, I noticed a few little girls practicing dance with great enthusiasm on the cobbled street. Curious, I asked where they learned to dance, and they told me they were self-taught. Later, I learned from their parents that the cost of dance lessons was far beyond their means. That scene deeply moved me, and a bold idea sparked in my mind: to create a public welfare project that provides free ballet lessons to children in urban villages so that every child with a dance dream can experience the boundless joy of dance.
Starting something is always difficult. In July 2023, the Loucun Community Committee of Xinhu Street, Guangming District, was the first to accept and support the project. Through the committee, we secured a dance classroom. Once the enrollment information for the first semester was announced, over ten girls from Loucun Community signed up. The ages of these children ranged from 6 to 13, and they were all beginners, which posed a great challenge for me. After a few days of thinking, I sought advice from my ballet teacher and studied related teaching videos online. After numerous revisions and simulations, I finally completed my first teaching plan, marking the official launch of this public ballet project.
Progress and Expansion—A Joyful and Challenging Commitment
Learning ballet is a challenging process, especially for beginners, who need to overcome many difficulties. But what’s commendable is that the students cherished their class time, experiencing both exhaustion and joy.
The first semester began in July 2023. We started with the history of classical and contemporary ballet, gradually moving into posture and muscle training. By the end of the semester, they had mastered some basic beginner-level combinations, which greatly ignited their love for ballet. As their learning progressed, I introduced more complex technical movements from the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus, including barre exercises and full combinations. During teaching, I realized the students needed to improve their physical strength, so I incorporated PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) into the second semester.
To enrich their experience, I also blended modern and lyrical music into the classes, giving the students more room to explore. With continuous practice, I saw the girls’ confidence grow, their sense of beauty deepen, and their understanding of body expression strengthen. Seeing them become more confident and healthier gave me an indescribable sense of satisfaction and joy, which further solidified my determination to continue this project.
Performance and Presentation—Shared Growth and Joy
Through all seasons, rain or shine, after over a year of learning, I decided to organize a performance opportunity for the children. The performance included combinations from the classes, group classical ballet dances, and solo classical ballet pieces, aiming to encourage the girls to boldly express themselves and confidently showcase their beauty. We quickly got into rehearsals. Although some students initially felt tired from the intense training, they received mutual encouragement and support from their peers, gradually growing together through perseverance.
On August 11, 2024, as the traditional Chinese Qixi Festival approached, with the help of Loucun volunteers and the village committee, we set up a temporary stage for the performance. Everyone prepared for this special show. These girls, who once knew nothing about ballet, had grown confident on stage after a year of dedication. It was not only a breakthrough for them but also a testament to their courage and growth. In my view, the seed of love and beauty has quietly taken root in their hearts.
On the day of the performance, parents of the students and villagers came to watch, witnessing the transformation of the children.
Seeing them dance confidently with bright smiles and light in their eyes, I sincerely hope that the “Loucun Community Ballet Public Class” project can continue and that similar performances can be staged in more urban villages, allowing more children with artistic dreams the opportunity to pursue their light in life.
- Article / Yulin Cai
- Pictures / Yulin Cai
