Hong Kong Dance Federation Ltd.

(1978-2014)

Hong Kong Dance Federation Ltd. (the Federation) is a non-profit organization established in 1978 and all founder members were acclaimed personages in the dance society including Pearl CHAN, Stephen KWOK, Helen LAI, LAU Siu Ming, NG Sai Fun, and the late CHENG Ya Ching and WONG Ngai Yum.

It carries forward the art of dance, encouraging and expediting dance development in Hong Kong as well as promoting cultural exchange. While applications for group and individual memberships are accepted upon recommendation of committee members, anybody interested in dance activities may become an associate member. At present, the Federation boasts a total membership of 207 Group members (Active members 145) and more than 700 Individual and Associate members.

The Federation has launched a large-scale project to lay the basis for a local dance culture. Subsidies of outlays, sponsorship of venues and commission of performances have been offered by organizations such as the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, the Home Affairs Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Hong Kong major event organizing companies. Presently, it is a member of the International Dance Council (CID), an umbrella organization under UNESCO for all kinds of dance.

In 2012 the Federation was elected by the International Dance Organization (IDO) as the contact of Hong Kong. Nominated to enter the IDO World Tap Dance Championships in Riesa, Germany, R & T won 3^rd, 7^th and 12^th places in the categories of solos male and duos. The flag of Hong Kong slowly went up the pole at the venue. In 2013 the Federation became Probationary Member of the IDO, the only representative of Hong Kong.

Education and Examinations

Since its inception, the Federation has been entrusted with the task of developing dance in Hong Kong. Dance camps, updating classes, seminars, workshops and teachers’ training courses have been run jointly with government bodies and various education organizations. In 2001, the “Certificate in Dance/Diploma in Dance” programme was jointly presented with the School of Professional and Continuing Education of the University of Hong Kong. An assessment panel has also been formed to support dance competitions in various districts.

The Federation has actively offered training to students and teachers. With the authorization from Beijing Dance Academy, the Chinese Dance Graded Examination was introduced to Hong Kong in 1988. Through a complete and disciplined curriculum for Chinese Dance, our next generation not only learns the Chinese culture but also gains confidence. Every year about 5,000 candidates sit for the Examination, and the current teacher echelon is around 3,000 person-time. In 2005, the Federation also took up the role of the representative of the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing (CSTD) examinations of Hong Kong and China. Through various examinations, Classical Ballet, Modern Jazz, Tap, Theatrical, Modern & Latin American as well as the new syllabus – Contemporary Technique have been developed in Hong Kong, and the number of candidates reached 5,000 in 2013. The Hong Kong Examinations and Assessments Authority manages both of the Examinations.

In 2012 the Federation organized a Graded Examination for Xinjiang Dance in cooperation with Xinjiang Arts Institute. Tens of teachers took the course, and the examination is to be held every July. In order to pave the way for graded examinations, a course tailor-made for children aged 3 to 5 called “Move for Fun” was also designed. It is hoped that children can learn through play and firm foundations for future dance training can be laid.

Social and Exchange Activities

The members of the Federation care for the society. They help people with physical and mental disabilities participate in dance activities and strive for fair opportunities. From 2009 onwards, the Federation has been awarded a certificate of appreciation of “Caring Organization” every year.

It has also taken part in large-scale local events in recent years, including performances at Government Receptions on the National Day, 13 performances presented at the equestrian venue for the Olympic Games 2008, “The Legend” performed by 400 young dancers at the Opening Ceremony of the East Asia Games in 2009, performances with different themes presented at the Opening Ceremony of the Hong Kong Games since 2007, and the International Youth Summer Dance Camp held annually with the Commission on Youth since 2004.

As to exchange activities, in June 2012, 6 brilliant dances were selected by the State Ethnic Affairs Commission of the PRC to perform at the 4^th Minorities Arts Festival of China and awarded 10 prizes; in 2013 La P en V Innovative Dance Platform was nominated to enter the competition in the Czech Republic where they were awarded the first prize from both the audience and adjudicators’ panel; and dance exchange with Beijing, Guangzhou, Yunnan and the Northeast has also taken place in succession of late.

The Hong Kong Dance Expo, Bauhinia Cup Dance Championships and other dance competitions for promoting local and international cultural exchange

The Federation has organized a large-scale Dance Expo in Hong Kong every year since 1996. Over 50 dance groups and more than a thousand dancers from Hong Kong and overseas participate in this annual occasion. To encourage creation, dancers were subsidized to choreograph medium-size dance works as highlights of each evening in 2011 and 2013.

The Bauhinia Cup Dance Championships was first held in 1994. Since 2004, the competition and the Hong Kong Dance Expo have been run every alternate year. In 2010 the first Bauhinia Cup International Dance Invitation Championships was launched during the Hong Kong Dance Festival. This event took place again in 2012 and 2013, with a new format comprising only the “Solo” and “Ensemble” sections in the latter, which was well received by local and overseas participants.

The Kangaroo Cup, a dance platform for solos, duos and trios, has been organized since 2006. Scholarships are given to best winners, and dance schools are advised to send their students to enter CSTD competitions in Australia and Asia Pacific Region so as to enrich stage experiences. The 14^th Asia Pacific Dance Competition was hosted by the Federation in the summer of 2012. More than 700 young dancers participated in this successful event.

To respond to the appeal of the Ministry of Culture for training before examination and performance after examination, the Federation has also organized the Chinese Dance Graded Examination Competition in 2011 and 2013, providing a platform for teachers and students to give full play to their creativity and enjoy the pleasure of dance through choreographing dances and demonstrating dance sequences.