"The Korean pop culture is so evident in today's dance culture. The energy, the spiritedness, the drive and determination in you have bowled us over!" So impressed was Ms Ong Soo Weon, Head of the Centre for Pre-University Studies (CPUS), the organiser of the Contemporary Dance Competition 2010, that she could not help using all the positive and superlative words to describe the participants' awesome creativity.
"Dance is a form of creativity and I am thankful that Michael Jackson is not forgotten! I'm a fan of Michael Jackson too." She received a warm applause from many MJ fans. "CPUS organised this event for you so that you can have a fun day here as KDU has the facilities and the resources and we want to share these with you. To see your smiles and to have such a wonderful audience, we have truly suceeded in meeting our objectives."
Indeed, KDU College has, judging from the overwhelming response from eleven schools from the Klang Valley. They were represented by their teeny boppers, all set to give their best in break dance, bollywood,hip hop, popping, locking and b-boy dance styles. These schools were: SMJK Katholik, SMK BU (3)
Rachel Quah from SMK Taman Sea 1 was the rose among the thorns in her talented group performing a mix of hip hop and pop dance. "We practised for two weeks and we're doing our best. Competition is tough as the other teams are very good too, but we've enjoyed ourselves!" she exclaimed, when she was told that she was a smooth dancer and her team's movements were well-synchronised.
Julius and Eva Woon (both from CPUS) who emceed the event described dance as "a form of self-expression" and thanked the participants for they "have revolutionised a new mindset in the art of dance!"
The dancing team from SMJK Katholik were ecstatic and jumped for joy when they were declared the winner for Best Choreography. It was even a sweeter win for them when they were also judged to be the Champion of KDU's Contemporary Dance Competition 2010. They bagged a cash prize of RM500.
SMK BU 4 walked away with the Best Costume prize, clinching the lst runner up prize and cash of RM400. Second runner up went to SMK Stella Maris and they walked away with RM300.
Team dancers from SMK BU4 hugged their choreographer, Melissa Ong, who was very pleased with their win. "We're very happy, and very proud. We had only one week of preparation, but we practised very hard," said Tham Su Ming. Her other team mates Lau Weitlan, Chia Ying Yin , Rianne Dan and Wong Woon Shing were jumping with joy as they congratulated each other.
Consolation prizes were won by: SMK BU 3 and SMK Taman Sea 1, SMK USJ 12 and SMK Sri Bestari. They each took home a trophy and RM100 for each team.
The judges were no strangers to dance competitions, and they were Marion D'Cruz (a former staff at KDU College many years ago and presently, the Executive Producer and a founding member of the Five Arts Centre) ,Gavin Chan and Sally Oh (both from Outcast Dance Studio). Said Ms D'Cruz, "Dance is more than just a movement. When you dance, it must be with passion: from your heart, your soul, your gut! You have to shoot it out like an arrow and I should feel it. Some dancers have the courage to look at the audience and the judges in the eye, and tonight, I remember two people on stage because they did just that!"
Check out her useful, priceless tips:
- Don't lip syn alone, if you do it, then all the rest of your dancers must do it together. Otherwise don't do it at all.
- Edit your music: it must be done seamlessly. If you have any problem with editing, come and see me in my studio in Taman Tn Dr. Ismail.
- Dance is about something that rises from your soul. It should hit me so hard that I want to get up and dance too!
Gavin C
han praised the dancers.
"You've all done very well. However, when you do research, make sure that your source of information is reliable, for the right techniques and authencity in the dance style and movements."
Sally Oh was pleased to see young dancers on stage. "It takes real courage for you to be up there! Dancing is great - good for the memory, coordination, your health and you get to meet a lot of people too. But when you perform, you must interact with your audience. Look at them in the eye, don't look at your team members. Give a lot of practice to know your routine well and this will add to your confidence."
Students M. Thiagaraj and Thevarajan, both from SMK Sinar Bintang said, "This is a very special event as not all colleges organise dance competitions. It has motivated students as many of us like to dance, and it also improves dancing skills from watching the competitors."
CPUS has thoroughly enjoyed organising this event, and knowing that this dance competition has touched many young hearts, they are inspired to organise a bigger event next year. Look out for it!
A bunch of wholesome thanks and appreciation go to the great guys and gals who have spent a lot of time organising and working behind the scene. They are the unsung heroes whose efforts are oft forgotten but whose insatiable passion to ensure that everything runs like clockwork drives them to make Contemporary Dance 2010 a success. They are:
Initiator: Ms Ong Soo Weon (Head of CPUS)
Advisor: Ms
Organiser: Ms Hema Madhavan (Lecturer, CPUS)
PR : Ms
Secretary: Ms
Special thanks to:
Coordinating with sponsors for Crew's T-shirts: Ms Hannah (Student Affairs Executive) and Mr Syful (Student Affairs executive)
Working Crew: Students from A-Levels & Foundation, January 2010.
Emcees: Woon Eva & Julius (
CPUS Flash Presentation: Syazwan
A brainstorming session (L-R): Sathya, Hannah and Hema
(L-R) Ms 
CPUS lecturers - keen and supportive members of the audience,
(L-R): Ms Santha, Mr Jefri, Ms Bawani and Ms Norhayati
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