An Introduction by the Director

Chinese dance in Hawai'i has had a history of struggle beginning in the 1930s when first and second generation Chinese searched for their cultural roots. The pioneers during that time drew from Chinese opera capturing every opportunity that they could to learn dance from opera troupes that either passed through or performed in Honolulu. Access to music, costumes and props for the dances were almost impossible during this time. In 1963, as part of a goodwill mission, Mdme. Elizabeth Gao (Kao Ye), was sponsored to teach Chinese dance to overseas Chinese. She taught many students from different Chinese language schools. Mdme. Gao's teachings sparked interest in Chinese dance by a younger generation of Hawai'i Chinese who created dance schools and groups. Although the enthusiasm was high, the Hawai'i Chinese still had a difficult time finding the proper materials and music. During this period of development, China's closed door policy and the Cold War dilemma made contact with mainland China almost impossible. By the 1980s, Chinese dance schools and groups waned. The lack of Chinese dance had Rumiko Okaze urging me to teach Chinese dance and to form a dance group. Later, Alice Ma (Mali) who was part of the Chinese Youth of Hawaii and many of her friends also expressed a desire for me to teach. However, I felt that my training up to then was minimal and so I was funded by several scholarships and grants to go to Hong Kong, China and Taiwan to study dance.

In 1989, for the Chinese Bicentennial Celebration in Hawai'i, master teachers in a variety of art forms including dance and opera were brought from Mainland China to teach at the University of Hawai'i and for various community organizations. This event brought me in contact with Prof. Liu Youlan. After hearing the blight of Chinese dance in Hawai'i and my dilemma, she agreed to help me create a professional school of Chinese dance. In those early days, Liu Laoshi warned me...running a school of dance is kun nan (very difficult). And, that reality has become even more crystallized with the emphasis on our youth in this society to concentrate on "making money". Perhaps it was because of my passion for dance (since we were no where near the caliber of the professional students of the Beijing Dance Academy), Liu Laoshi repeatedly returned to Hawai'i to help me with developing the PDC repertoire. Then, as expressed by Mali for her celebration of life in 2007, Liu Laoshi gave PDC her last.

Our August 1, 2009 concert "Legacy of the Phoenix" was not just about the present but also the past and the future. The Phoenix Dance Chamber has overcome past difficulties developing a school of dance and professionalism in Chinese dance performance. The current students are faced with challenges of even more difficult dances than in the past. For this show, all of those involved put forth their best effort to make it a successful one to show the strength of PDC to handle whatever trials that might await us in the future.

As we celebrate the 20-plus years of the Phoenix Dance Chamber, we bring to you a REFLECTION on August 6, 2011 at the Hawaii Theatre Centre: my personal journey through Chinese dancescapes. Join us as we revisit choreographies inspired by our travels in China and thank you, everyone, for your hard work and support!

-Diane Letoto