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SCMP Reporter

THE Chinese International School Modern Dance Teams will embark soon on their debut dance tour of Taiwan and Korea.

  Founded in 1991 by choreographer Mrs Mary Griffiths, the junior team comprises 16 dancers aged eight to 11 while the senior team has 12 members.

  They have already won many local awards including second runner-up in the overall competition in the Hong Kong School's Dance Championship last year.

  The fledgling teams have quite a lot of experience, having performed at the major venues in Hong Kong, including the Grand Theatre in the Cultural Centre at the invitation of the Hong Kong Education Department.

  ''The parents of the group were so pleased with what the children had achieved that they fully supported the tour and raised money for us,'' said Mrs Griffiths.

  During the one-week tour, the teams will perform at the Taipei American School and Seoul Foreign School. They will also give workshops to share their experience.

  While the group's strength lies in its skills in modern dance, the youngsters encountered no great difficulties in expanding their repertoire to include music by contemporary composers such as Bartok, Britten and Prokofiev.

  ''It took me a while to get used to that sort of style, but after a while, I sort of fell into it. Once you've learned it, it just comes out,'' said nine-year-old Hamilton Nieh, who is the only male dancer in the group.

  Mrs Griffiths explained that modern dance usually follows a story which the dancers ''act''. Even when there is no story, though, the music produces feelings that the dancers can use.

  Ballet veteran of eight years, Dale Ness sees modern dance as allowing her to express her feelings.

  ''In ballet, you dance, but you don't get the opportunity to express yourself. It's in modern dance that we can do whatever we like, within limits, of course,'' the 15-year-old said.



Students of the Chinese International School will be off to Taiwan and Korea