*PDC's fundraising gala is coming up on May 16! Join us for this event that helps to fund classes, performances, and cultural exchanges. The program will include lunch, a silent auction, dance showcase, and raffle prize drawings. Information and updates regarding this year's Gala may be found here: http://2010pdcgala.shutterfly.com/

The Phoenix Dance Chamber is a registered organization at the University of Hawai'i and is part of the Hawai'i Foundation for Chinese Culture and Arts, a non-profit organization established for the appreciation of Chinese heritage in our communities. Under the direction of Diane Letoto, the PDC consists of an international cross-section of dancers who share a common interest in Chinese dance. Our philosophy is to provide Hawai'i with a professional presentation of various Chinese Folk, Classical and Modern dances.

PDC's Purpose is to perpetuate the legacy of its mentor, Professor Liu Youlan, through the dances she brought to Hawai'i. Moreover, the PDC encourages creative innovations through new choreographies of its dancers and teachers. To accomplish this, we provide classes in Chinese classical and ethnic folk dance where students may learn an interpretive aspect of Chinese culture. Through both public and private venues, our performance groups share this aspect and provide cultural entertainment to others. PDC also provides a means for cultural dance exchanges between international communities.

The Director of PDC, Diane Letoto, holds a B.A. in Dance Ethnology and an M.A. in Dance and American Studies from the University of Hawai'i. She is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Political Science. Her first introduction to Chinese dance was during the mid-1970s when she enrolled in a master class of Chinese folk dance with Ms. Wei Lowe. From 1977 to 1987 she received further Chinese dance experience in Hawai'i with additional private lessons in Guangzhou and Taiwan. The style of Chinese dance taught at PDC is that of the late and proudly-honored Professor Liu Youlan, Ethnic Folk Dance Specialist of the Beijing Dance Academy, with whom Letoto has trained since 1989. Her training includes over 20 years of Japanese dance for which she holds a nattori (professional dancer's certificate) from the Matsudai School, over 10 years hula with the Zuttermeister Halau, and modern dance.