Move your feet your way
Traditionally, dancers follow what choreographers create. But the Youth Contemporary Dance Company, a new venture of the Hong Kong Youth Arts Festival, is ready to break with tradition.
With dancing technique workshops, the company aims to give youngsters an opportunity rarely found in Hong Kong in the hope of boosting creativity.
Tutored by the founder of the company, Tina Denmark, dancers are free to choose whatever styles they like and are encouraged to invent and choreograph their own dances.
'Unlike conventional dance performances, the main component of the show for the Youth Arts Festival in November is a creative work initiated by young dancers,' explained Denmark.
Two auditions will be held to recruit 40 potential dancers from 100 candidates.
No dance experience is required, but enthusiasm and talent for music and dance are essential.
In the final audition later this month, candidates will 'show their best' dancing for a one-minute performance in a style of their choice.
'The company is similar to those in the United Kingdom in that many regions have free youth dance companies for interested parties.
'We're here to get people involved and we see it as an educational tool,' said Denmark, who came to Hong Kong six years ago.
She has worked as a teacher in several dance schools.
Denmark said Hong Kong's education system had little emphasis on anything creative because there was no money in it.
She believes dance can help boost students' self-esteem and social skills.
But isn't contemporary dance watched only by contemporary dancers?
'It's a misconception. Contemporary dance is not necessarily running around in circles for two minutes. For me, it can be anything from hip-hop to athletics,'
Denmark said.
