Chan Pui Yi's Glee

If there is one thing Chan Pui Yi (pic) loves to do more than anything, it has to be dancing. Play her some good music and Pui Yi would just dance circles around anyone. The 20-year-old girl simply loves to move. Pui Yi started learning classical ballet at age five, but quit when she turned 11. However, that doesn't mean she stopped dancing altogether. "I did hip hop dancing and cheerleading while in secondary school" says Pui Yi who has picked up several dance genres along the years. She is now into street jazz and contemporary dance and can even do burlesque.

This dancer has appeared on several TV commercials and has performed in local musicals such as Always In Wonderland and Prom The Musical. "I love to dance and am part of a dance group called Awesome. We perform at corporate functions and have even joined several dance competitions," says Pui Yi. Although she is occupied with her dance commitments, Pui Yi stresses that she still allocates time for her studies. Pui Yi is currently pursuing a degree in law and adds that she is also interested in obtaining a diploma in dance someday.

"I love studying law, it is something I wanted to study, and I enjoy it. But I also want to go overseas and get a proper diploma in dance," Pui Yi reveals. She is also very keen to establish herself as a dance choreographer and teacher. "I know that it is quite difficult to establish yourself as a dancer here. That is because very few people appreciate dance and there is no demand for it in Malaysia," she says. Nevertheless, Pui Yi feels that there is hope for one to make it as a dancer in Malaysia in the future. "You can still make it here, I know some people who have done well for themselves as choreographers," she adds. (The Star)

Yes You Can, Samantha Tan!

Samantha Tan, 26, was born and raised in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Originally trained as a rhythmic gymnast, she made the late transition to dance at the age of 18 when she took up ballet, jazz and tap. Within a year of dance training, she had won the Encouragement Award at the 8th Solo Classical Ballet Competition 2004 in Kuala Lumpur. In 2006, she went to England to further her dance studies at the famed London Studio Centre where she graduated with a first class Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre dance.

Currently based in London, Tan made her West End debut at the original London cast of High School Musical in 2008 at the Hammersmith Apollo. She has acted in The King And I twice with two different companies - at the Royal Albert Hall in 2009 and at the Curve Leicester theatre early this year. Tan has also performed at the Brit Awards, danced in many stage shows in Britain and appeared in several television commercials. Other than that, this talented lady has even acted in two Harry Potter movies.

Tan has recently been accepted into the three-year Masters in Fine Arts acting programme at the prestigious Actors Studio Drama School in New York. Whilst she is thrilled with the opportunity that has come her way, she is at the same time saddled with the task of trying to raise the money for her lessons in the Big Apple. In order to raise the necessary funds, Tan has set up a blog (refer www.samanthatan.co.uk) and sent out appeals to several Malaysian individuals and companies to seek funds to help finance her studies.

The response to Tan's initiative has been encouraging, with donations totalling US3,700 from all over the world collected so far. Better Malaysia Foundation, which was founded by tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan, awarded her a partial scholarship of US20,000 a year, which is more than half the annual tuition fees of US34,000 a year over three years to help defray her studies. With that donation, she needs another US45,000 in fees and an additional US50,000 for cost of living and other expenses in the US over three years.

12th CSTD Asia Pacific Dance Competition

More than 500 dancers from India, Thailand, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia and Singapore participated in the 12th Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing Asia Pacific Dance competition held recently in Singapore. The host and organizer of the event, Barbara Hannan said the competition brought together dancers from the different regions together to perform and learn from each other in the spirit of friendly competition.

Two students from the ACTS School of Performing Arts in Kuala Lumpur did credibly well in the competition. Abdul Muhaimin Md Azman emerged as the champion in the Tap Solo under-18 category while Cassandra Law managed a third placing in the Modern & Jazz solo under-14 category. Both said they took two months to practise and rehearse their routines which were choreographed by their instructors Liew Yen Shen and C M Foh.

Besides Tap, Muhaimin also excels in Hip Hop, Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet and Modern. As for Law, she is also taking Ballet, Latin, Ballroom and Contemporary dance lessons. The two of them are looking forward to competing in the next Asia Pacific Dance Competition 2011 to be held in Hong Kong. Towards the end of the year, ACTS School will be staging "King of Pop - The Musical" as a tribute to the late Michael Jackson.

"The Merchants Of Bollywood" Enchants

The Merchants of Bollywood - The Musical which premiered on July 14 2009 at the Istana Budaya (National Theatre) in Kuala Lumpur and which ran to packed houses for two weeks, held its last performance on July 26. Those who attended the finale included Her Majesty the Queen of Malaysia Tuanku Nur Zahirah, the Prime Minister's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, Domestic Trade & Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Agriculture & Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Noh Omar and many other dignitaries.

The Merchants of Bollywood is produced by Mark Brady, directed by Toby Gough, with music by AR Rahman and choreographed by leading Bollywood choreographer, Vaibhavi Merchant. Known as the Queen of Romance in the industry, Vaibhavi is from the dynastic family around which the legend of The Merchants of Bollywood is woven. The show has been performed more than 600 times over the past 4 years to rave reviews in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, South Africa and Australia. This is the first time the musical is being staged in Asia. Besides Malaysians, the show also attracted tourists from Europe and the Middle East.

With a storyline revolving around the Merchant family, ambition, sacrifice and love, the musical showcased dances which ranged from Bollywood, Indian traditional, disco, hip hop, street and funk. The cast danced their way into the hearts of the audience with their eclectic routines, colourful costumes and enchanting performances. The audience were caught up with the music and many were seen dancing at their seats and in the aisles to the tunes of It's Time To Disco and Shava Shava just before the curtains came down. After the show, Datin Seri Rosmah went on stage to meet the cast and present bouquets to the lead members as a token of appreciation.

Namaste & Jai Ho,

Dance Aficionado
Dancesport Malaysia

"Billy Elliot The Musical" Named "Best Musical" At 63rd Tony Awards Ceremony

Billy Elliot The Musical was the toast of Broadway when it won 10 Tonys at the annual 63rd Tony Awards ceremony held at the Radio City Music Hall in New York, USA on June 7. Billy Elliot was voted Best Musical, and the three teenage actors who play the title role - David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish, were all named Best Actor in a musical, the first time three actors have shared an award. "We want to say to all the kids out there who might want to dance, never give up" Kulish remarked after receiving the award. The musical is based on the critically acclaimed movie about the trials and tribulations of a miner's ballet-dancing son in a coal mining town in Northeast England. Singer and composer Sir Elton John, who suggested the film be adapted for theatre, wrote the music for the production.

Billy Elliot is the triumphant tale of one young boy who reaches beyond his place in the world to follow his heart's desire. It is the heartwarming story of eleven-year-old Billy Elliot from a working-class family who discovers a passion that will change his life forever. Billy is being taken by his miner father for boxing lessons when he stumbles upon a ballet class. Billy secretly joins the class and his raw talent takes flight under the guidance of his teacher Mrs Wilkinson. But when his father discovers his son's ambitions, Billy must fight for his dreams and destiny. Billy Elliot is a joyous, exciting and feel-good celebration of one boy following his heart and making his dreams come true. I especially like the tagline of the movie - "Inside every one of us is a special talent waiting to come out. The trick is finding it!"

The Tony Awards were established in 1947 and are named for Antoinette Perry, whose nickname was Toni. Perry who passed away in 1946 was an actress, stage director, philanthropist, and a founder of the American Theatre Wing. The Tonys are presented by The Broadway League (formerly known as the League of American Theatres and Producers) and the American Theatre Wing and are voted by around 750 people from the entertainment and press industries - from actors to producers, directors and journalists. There are presently 27 categories of awards plus, several special awards. The Broadway League estimates that the 39 theatres in the famous district contribute about $5.1 billion (RM18 billion) per year, on top of ticket sales to the economy of New York and support 44,000 jobs.

Best Wishes As Usual,

Dance Aficionado
Dancesport Malaysia