Anyhow ARTS 2010 (Part 2)

Thoughts on AHA overall in the past 5 yrs. I participated in the past 4 yrs n made an impact on some students, made some grew, some left, some still stagnant. Which exact yr was the 1 i enjoyed most?? Well, i sincerely dunno, n i dun even know how to rank them. Of cos i shldnt in e 1st place. Lets just recap my happy moments. =)

2007 - A relatively simple item but it was hassle free, the dancers Jun Cheng & Joanne were totally independent n can master what was given to them =)
Stress lvl - Zero. Disappointment lvl - Zero. Enjoyment lvl - High

2008 - A nice item n glad tt the students improved so much, literally to another level =)
Stress lvl - Close to Zero. Disappointment lvl - Zero. Enjoyment lvl - High

2009 - A nice item n get to work with wonderful ppl who practise v hard. V happy tt Joanne & Yiyang improved so much during this item, perhaps cos they 1st time working with me, so like wat he said earlier, the Gap super big. The Gap for Vanessa & Vivian not so big in this yr liao.
Stress lvl - High. Disappointment lvl - Ok. Enjoyment lvl - High

2010 - A new challenge to work with TOTALLY new additions to the team, which made me doubt my 眼光. Really gotta look more carefully next time. Overall Happy cos Si Qi joined e team, 1st time working with her, a v pleasant experience. Happy becos Siqi & Vanessa tried out e piano precision part; allowed me to play e choreography for e 1st time with such music. (Didnt dare to try out this type of things at all with previous yrs' cast) Unhappy cos some Dancers left, n becos the remaining dancers mostly remained at the same lvl, didnt improve.

Stress lvl - High till I give up, just told them to enjoy themselves, didnt dare to put expectations.
Disappointment lvl - Similar as above.
Enjoyment lvl - Low (So Low tt I didnt come out for Curtain call, only enjoyed during post-concert Supper time, Diaozz......)


SO Honestly, I dunno did i succeed as an instructor in grooming new talent? As a choreographer I definitely learnt alot more n learnt much much more how to work with students. But tt is my personal development, in terms of helping Dance Inspiration, I dunno did i make any results at all... Sigh... It's over anw, so I shall move on... Look forward to the next DI production. =)

CHEERS TO ALL MY MEMORIES OF AHA!!!!!!

END

Anyhow ARTS 2010 (Part 1)

Time is 21 Dec 2010. I have come to the end of Anyhow Arts, a performing platform tt lasted for 5 yrs since 2006. Which makes me feel sad that this fun platform is no longer available aft tis year.

Honestly, If i haf to point fingers at some ppl, it would be those ppl in DI. Its really becos this yr, the lack of participants & audience tt resulted in this eventual result. If the audience turnout was good, i.e. at least match up to Last yr's, things wouldnt be so the same. Its the disappointment tt made him call it quits..... =( The kids there just dunno what they r missing out.... Ppl put in their own time & $$ to create a concert platform for u, n u cant even get ur frenz to come support as audience? Its so lukewarm n u all still act like u did ur best?? U sure tt's e best u can do?

Enough of all these rubbish liao, I guess me & him are really disappointed this time rd....

Lets just do a recap of my past yrs' works: 2006 - n.a., 2007 - The Awaken Life 后知后觉的生命, 2008 - No More Rubbish 不再垃圾, 2009 - Love like Dust 情似飞灰, 2010 - Tattoo 刺青

Out of all these, I guessed I failed much as a choreographer / instructor over the years. Perhaps I did improve but as the saying goes: 赢少算输. I guess this is the 1st time I critique my own items online tt can be accessed by public? I think I shall list down the learning points for me to recap years later when i look back...

2007 - Shld be e best item in terms of choreography & concept due to the site specific performance I decided to use. Good use of site, rather innovative, not draggy, can play to the strengths of the performers; Jun Cheng & Joanna. Suits the whole AHA artistic direction n is easy for audience to interpret =) Choreography: Pass, Instructor: Pass

2008 - Well done in terms of training as instructor, cos use of Big & Simple yet Fast Movements, trained the performers in terms of musicality, strength, agility & stamina. Choreography not good, Item concept is incomplete, the Mario music failed to garner interests from audience, although fellow dancers (Weiyang) did notice its Mario music n said tt it was good. Michelle Tan said tt she liked the item but i wonder issit just 朋友捧场的话. Overall still suit the whole AHA artistic direction. Choreography: Fail, Instructor: Pass

2009 - Item concept is incomplete, not v funny even with use of 甜蜜蜜. Audience interaction failed to break the 4th wall. 1st time trying Lyrical with the performers, failed in training them to absorb techniques of Milking (Hard / Soft dynamics). Music editing was good due to Bleeding Love remix part, ppl like Joanne, Yiyang improved in terms of musicality. Judging from dancers' performance, their skill ability didnt improve as much as '08. In terms of Instructing, I paled in comparison to '08. Overall Dun suit AHA artistic direction.
Choreography: Fail, Instructor: Fail, Music Editing: Pass

2010 - Item concept is Very Complete. Good work in breaking the 4th Wall with audience. Similarly, failed in training dancers to absorb Milking. Super Fail in training them to do Floorwork, jumps / turns. Music editing was not as good as '09. Dancers didnt improve as a well-prepared dancer, still needa spoonfeed. Musicality did not improve at all, cos e challenging part on piano only 2 pax dance. Dancers' feel & touch to the music didnt improve, still at the dance steps level. Overall, Dancers didnt improve as compared to their earlier selves. Suits the AHA 2010 artisitc direction due to the fun element
Choreography: Pass, Instructor: SUPER Fail TTM, Music Editing: Fail

Ok, tt's all, move on to next entry....

2010 Thoughts (Pre-Chingay, Pre-AHA)



Time is 22 Nov 2010. This year has been a turmoil year, think it will go even more so next year. When was the last time I ever smiled or had a happy day? Think these days wont come anytime soon. Life is going rough n i guess I have to bide my time....



Much has happened in the past yr & in summary, I kinda suck at it... haiz.... =(



Just some thots on the "DANCE Life" i have. Recently things werent smooth for the troupe and for the events DI is involved in. So in summary, Its hard to maintain a troupe. So wat can really be done is a real headache. But having watched a number of performances this yr by diff arts groups in SG, I realized a few things. (Though I already did, but let's pen it down this time).



Apparently, or Actually, Many of the ppl in SG, they simply wish to work with willing parties. I believe many of the Directors / Choreographers, will haf an ideal team which they wanna work with. But end of the day, I believe they will rather work with some1 less capable but More Willing than some1 who is more capable but less Willing & less Commited.



Sometimes I wonder why DI is always the troupe tt ends up in a half-past-six manner? Is it cos Lao Shi is too nice? Or issit becos Its too easy to join this troupe? There r no barriers to entry?

Next, talking abt LIFE itself, my life is in a mess n im still swimming, haven reach any shore yet... Dunno what lies ahead, n haf to hang on by myself w/o any support, n storms & waves will keep coming at ME from time to time. Tt's the painful thing. All those comparisons nv fail to kill me once in a while..... =(

Im Dumbfounded for this entry, let it end here....

ENDLESS PAIN

Learning & Enhancing all the way

Well, time is 14 Oct 2010, which is sometime since I stepped on the new journey... Think things are really going tough for me and All i can really really say is: Thank you to both of u for being supportive n didnt give me a dressing down though i know u all aren't really feeling good abt this.

But I guess fate & destiny plays a part? I will work hard and push on and ensure that I can answer back to you both.... Well, i guess at the end of the day, its also the lifestyle im looking at? So if tt's the case, I reall cant blame any1 when i step into my own future.... I guess I will really haf to walk this alone into the Wild, into the Unknown.......


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Have the drive & determination, But can tt suffice??

Im such an idiot....

WITH THANKS TO ALL I HAVE

Time is 10 Aug 2010, life is hard. I just caught the movie - Street Dance. Well, after so long / so much of hardship in my life so far, I hereby Thank every1 and every single Almighty being up there for all the gifts I have so far in my life. I know my life is damn hard, But I sincerely thank for what I haf.

Till date, I have a bunch of friends, a bunch of dance mates, v good Dance teachers/Mentors who gave me opportunities, taught me lots, guidance and alot alot alot more... Last but not least, thank you to this pair of Parents who though dislike what Im doing now, but Thank you for NOT stopping me... Regardless of what happens in the future, I vow that I will Nv nv nv nv ever blame u both. I understand tt its your Love & Heartache for me that resulted in this, I am really grateful and thankful for it. Thank you for being so tolerant even though u both really dislike it alot deep down in ur heart.

I would like to apologise for making u both disappointed and Im really kinda sorry tt u both haf raised such CMI sons. I sincerely hope to make u both proud someday, whereby u both can in the eyes of the Society, finally manage to "be proud" of your son, i.e. ME.

Having watched Street Dance today has made me once again be thankful for what i currently can enjoy / have. Thank u Lao Shi for giving me so much guidance and opportunities in Dance. Thank you for doing so much such that we dont even have to worry abt issues such as rehearsal space.

Life is abt hardship and I sincerely dunno why I am heading towards now, But haiz...... Still thank every1 who has appeared in my life and made a difference. Thanks lots =)

Half-Alive, Half Dead

DANCE CLASS - DANCE FLOW

Time is 6-Jun-2010, ytd was the 1st lesson with an extended class. Many came to join in the fun. Its really great to see many ppl interested in dancing and honing their skills. Something worth mentioning last night was tt I recorded down e dance steps for Last Night for documentation purposes. I did e routine with Vanessa, took a look at e video, was really Happy how much she grew over the years.
The level of satisfaction I think no one can understand except those being dance teachers. =)
Can really see her improvements and tt she starting to shine & glow n is independent liao. There is e level of assurance I can get where I know IF i work with her in the future, I can dun need worry abt her, she can definitely master e steps to a certain satisfaction level for performance.

Actually to my honest feelings, other than Vanessa, Vivian is the other person whom I would like to see her glow & shine de. Unfortuantely, she wont be joining in the lessons so its really a pity. I cant deny the fact tt I have a lost feeling tt a team will haf 1 less dancer, but since there's nothing I can do abt it, I can only keep on searching for new unpolished diamonds from other sch and start the process of polishing them all over again. I do hope by EOY or Mar-2011, I will be able to form a Cast tt is capable of handling a choreography which even I will find challenging myself de.... =)

As at what I haf at hand today, I can only hope tt more ppl in e class will improve to e level of Vanessa for my item to be staged.
My probable list of shortlisted cast as at now stays at: Alyssa, Pei Xuan, Yueli, Yiyang, Joanne, Jinghui, Celia, Vanessa, Xinyu.
For Modern dance, hopefully these ppl can make e list by EOY: Vivian, Lina, Joey, Siqi, Xuezhen.

Honestly, it wont be easy to stage e item if I cant find the correct ppl.
千里马固然需要伯乐, 但是伯乐何尝不想遇到千里马?

End

重新出发

Time is 6 Jun 2010, things haf changed alot during the past 3 months. Im re-looking at the route I will take once again in my life. Things look unstable and I m fighting on in life. Just wanna jot down those few things in my life that happened over the past 3 months.

1) Choreographer with Lao Shi @ Resort World Sentosa for Voyage De La Vie
Feel v honoured to be part of this world-class production where I get the chance to direct and work with International stars from the world including acrobats from Cirque du Soleil. This has been the highest level of honour so far in my life that I get to choreograph/ direct artists. Alot of thanks to Lao Shi who gave me this opportunity.

2) Fok Kah Hon's wedding
My 1st time being a Brother for friend's wedding. Fun experience and got to meet up with lots of sec sch days. Well, this has been an electrifying experience. Why? Cos I managed to know how every1 is getting along in their life and really, every1 is going on with the "Routine" life. No offence to the "Routine" life but its really "duh!!!!"... This particular circle of frenz now weekends stay home sleep, even if go out, oso dun stay out late cos of Midnight cab charges etc. So Im like, wah sian, go out oso early go home sleep, the vibe is not there... =(

Sometimes though I wonder is it I too immature, tt's y keep on hanging ard young kids, like I CMI, but actually to be honest with my feelings, its really more fun to be hanging out with these young ppl. I sincerely would love to hang out with ppl of my age since e conversation topics r less kiddish, but there r no such available "frenz" who still lead this kind of life. Once caught in the routine life, its damn sian.... KH's wedding has given me another insight to how I want my life to be.... Its really v scary to know tt One's life will be changed like tt....

Some thoughts to be recorded in Memory

End

男歌女唱 女歌男唱

Recently ever since Yang Zong Wei sang the male version of Xin Bu Liao Qing, this phenomenon has been ongoing. I kinda like this trend cos a different interpretation by the opposite sex will always bring a Different feel.

I hereby bring 2 MVs today, same song, diff version for passer-by of my blog.

Do feel free to comment. I personally prefer the female version.

Life recollection - 1

Time is March 2010. Recently haf been taking a break and haf some more free time on my hand.
Its really interesting tt I haf been going ard seeing all these things. Kinda lost / unknown in life now but then again, enjoying every single day and moment where I still can breathe the fresh air.

Watching the dancers ard learning how to dance, I once again acknowledge that coaching dance is really a fun & meaningful thing to do. =)

On a side note, last night met up with the clique again. Haha long time nv see every1 together at the same time le. Zhenyu, Zhiyan, Sam, Chee Hao, Daryl, Michelle, Celia, Vivian. Wei Hong, Kai wei and me joined them later. Was really in a surprised mode. Noted that the clique is really interesting. Standing from far away and while walking towards them, can really segment into a few categories: Poly/ JC students, Uni students, Dance instructors, Tai Tai.
Haha i sincerely noted 1 person who stands out among our whole clique. In terms of dress code (living standards / style), it was really outstanding amongst the rest. Haha, guess tt is wat i term as Difference in Class ba.... Really simialr to ancient times where peasants, scholars, aristocrats etc were divided....

From last night, it hit upon me that perhaps coming this May when I once again meet up with 4E2 NHSS students, I most probably will be the odd one out. Tt will be such a diff class where I most probably will see every1 as the "Corporate Class" and I am the "Free & Easy Class"... I guess living standards can also be segmented in this coming May's gathering ba.
Haha, every1 at the gathering will be at that "particular stage of life", but not me.... I will be perhaps just faraway....

Takes the hard knock again, Haiz....

End

Rounds of training

Time is March 2010. Unknowingly, AHA has passed by for 4 years running. For 2010, if it will still be held, it will be the 5th year. Time has passed, I have been at it for 3 years? 1 with Juncheng & Joanna, 2nd with Xinyu, Van, Vivian, Ivy & CCHY dancers. 3rd with Yiyang, Joanne, Pei Xuan, Yueli, Alyssa, Celia, Van, Vivian, Yisong.

This year feel like coming back performance hence i started a training prog early for the ppl so tt eventually hopefully i will haf a pool of ppl to choose from for the YE event. Over these few rounds of training, I really got a bit worried... Haiz.... Is it cos the age gap too big? Hence they dun understand what im trying to get at? Really hope this year the cast will be super super GOOD!!! Then we can haf a fun year =) Hope some things will work out amidst all these training.

Time has passed, Life has gone on. Friends haf moved on to a next phase in life. Im still holding on.... I m the final one standing on tt road liao..... Can I really stage this item in the near future with an ideal cast?? Dunno......

Unfinished

1st Entry of 2010
(New insights to Life, New goals, new aims, new meaning in Life)

Time is 25 Feb 2010. The first entry of 2010 =) Cant believe i didnt post for so long. I guess work has made me quite sian over the past few months. So now tt everything is over, yeah!

Looking forward to a new start, a new beginning.

Well, Chingay 2010 is over, Edward Lam Dance Theatre's latest production : Man & Woman; War & Peace is also over. I had an enjoyable CNY. Now finally can settle down with my some time for myself to blog. =)

Wont blog abt Edward Lam's production simply becos it was too GOOD. Its so good i cant explain in words or summarise what are the interesting parts of the play. Cos the whole play consists of too many interesting things. But comparing this one to last yr's production: Design for Living. I prefer Design for Living cos i guess its more meaningful to me ba... Nvtheless, its still a v well done production. Look forward to next yr's one =)

Chingay 2010 was alright, a good experience. =)

Ok, now for the new beginning, as usual I will like to touch on DANCE. My fav topic. =)

Actually im really behaving like a kid, haiz... Dunno is good or not?????? My circle of frenz of my age are now all busy earning $$, getting married, buying houses & cars, landing themselves in debt, while Im still in touch with what is the latest in Kpop, How is Edward Lam's production, how to make UNI 2011 better etc..... Perhaps Im still not grown up, still always on DANCE....

Ok, recently i guess every1 who is in touch with e Entertainment world knows tt nowadays Dance steps for MVs shld be iconic and simple as possible. The craze started from Wonder Girls' Nobody, followed by SuJu - Sorry Sorry, then aft tt All Hell break loose. Every1 is doing it, regardless whether the artistes can dance or not. Brown Eyed Girls, Aft Sch, Girls Generation (SNSD), Shinee, and all the new kpop groups tt popped out from nowhere suddenly all follw suit. Sigh....

So, in my youtubing process, I have found 2 videos which I would like to share. These are the few artistes who know how to dance well + their MVs is the "old" kind of dance where steps r rather complicated compared to the current "ICONIC & SIMPLE" trend. Apparently these 2 artistes are doing quite well in Kpop now.
Wish to touch on 1 of the artistes - Son Dam Bi. Son Dam Bi has moved with e new trend, this MV is her 1st Single when she joined the industry, so it still followed e "old" trend. Managed to chance upon it, was taken back by her skills. =)

Apart from BoA, Stephanie from CSJH, Son Dam Bi is the 3rd female kpop artiste who has amazed me with her versatile skills.

SO here goes the video. Readers who chance upon my blog, do comment ya? =)

End of Entry