Members of the art troupe of the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University pose for a group photo after a performance in Cambridge on Thursday afternoon. [Photo by He Xiating/chinadaily.com.cn]
A group of Chinese high school students brought a vibrant showcase of choir performances and traditional Chinese dances to the English city of Cambridge on Thursday, leaving audiences impressed and describing the performance as "beyond expectations" and "truly amazing".
The students are members of the art troupe of the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University, one of the most renowned student art groups in Beijing. Its members have performed at major national events, including the Beijing Winter Olympics. The art troupe comprises the Golden Sail Dance Troupe and the Fuzhongren Choir.
Members of the Golden Sail Dance Troupe of the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University stage a performance in Cambridge on Thursday. [Photo by He Xiating/chinadaily.com.cn]
The 15- to 18-year-old performers presented a series of works, including The Floral Rhythm of the Months, The Art of Virtue, The Flower-Adorned Gentleman, Dunhuang Revisited, Splendid Celebration of Unity, as well as choral pieces such as Start of Spring, Radiance, and I Love You, China, at Guildhall Place in Cambridge.
Audience members applaud during a performance by the art troupe of the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University in Cambridge on Thursday afternoon. [Photo by He Xiating/chinadaily.com.cn]
Throughout the one-hour performance, audience members from different countries and cultural backgrounds remained deeply engaged, responding with rounds of applause. Many raised their phones to capture the performance, and not a single audience member left before the performance ended.
An audience member takes a photo during a performance by the Golden Sail Dance Troupe in Cambridge on Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Tanya Heath from London and her friends told China Daily after the show that they were amazed by the performance.
"It was amazing," Heath said. "We were walking in the street and they pulled us in and said, 'Come, come, there will be a big show.' So we came in. We really didn't expect this."
"The young girls and the boys are very gracious, elegant, beautiful and passionate," she added, "and the dance Splendid Celebration of Unit that presents the dance moves and costumes of 56 ethnic groups from China really amazed me. This is new cultural knowledge to me, and makes me more curious about Chinese culture."
The Fuzhongren Choir of the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University performs during the show in Cambridge on Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Another spectator, Gunes from Türkiye, praised the choir performances, saying she appreciated the dedication behind the show.
"It's clear that a lot of work has been put into this performance," she said.
Behind the praise from international audiences are the dedication, discipline and positive mentality of both the students and their instructors.
Members of the Golden Sail Dance Troupe of the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University stage a performance in Cambridge on Thursday. [Photo by He Xiating/chinadaily.com.cn]
Li Zeran, a 16-year-old solo dancer who was visiting the United Kingdom for the first time, said the performers had devoted themselves to intense practice and rehearsals.
"We try to practice as much as possible, anytime and anywhere, under any circumstances, whether in hotels, airports, or other places," he said.
"And I feel so proud of my culture, which has such a long history and diversity, that I am very confident and eager to share it with people from different parts of the world."
Members of the Golden Sail Dance Troupe of the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University give pop-up performances around the Cambridge campus. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Before the performance, members of the art troupe also staged pop-up performances around the Cambridge University campus, interacting with visitors and local residents.
Fifteen-year-old dancer Xing Zhening said it was exciting to share the vibe of Chinese youth and traditional Chinese ethnic dances with international audiences.
"It was very exciting to present the positive energy of Chinese young people and traditional Chinese ethnic dances to international audiences. They also welcomed us with great kindness and enthusiasm," she said.
Qi Feng, general director of the show and director of the Arts and Sports Center at the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University, has worked with the art troupe for nearly 30 years.
She said she encouraged the students before the performance to focus on the meaning behind their presentation.
"Before the performance, I told them that even if there was only one person in the audience, we should still give our very best performance. Because what we were doing was not just a show, we were sharing and promoting Chinese culture," Qi said.
"I truly believe that the students in this art troupe represent the image of Chinese youth today: confident, passionate, hardworking, and full of energy and vitality."
Zhang Peng, assistant to the principal of the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University, said the art troupe reflects the school's long-standing educational philosophy of pursuing holistic development.
"We have always strived to maintain a balance between academic learning and aesthetic education, which we believe is essential for the holistic development of students as individuals," Zhang said.
"International exchanges like this also help broaden students' horizons and, to some extent, strengthen their sense of cultural identity."
This year marks the 125th anniversary of the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University. The Cambridge performance was also part of the school's anniversary celebrations.
Members of the Golden Sail Dance Troupe of the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University stage a performance in Cambridge on Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Members of the Golden Sail Dance Troupe of the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University stage a performance in Cambridge on Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Members of the Golden Sail Dance Troupe of the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University stage a performance in Cambridge on Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
