Enter the Dragon Year: Keystone KAP Chinese New Year Performance
As Chinese New Year approaches, a feeling of festivity is in the air. Like faint wisps of clouds in the wind, the Year of the Dragon is slowly but steadily on the way. Chinese New Year is a time for family, togetherness, and celebration. What better way to observe this important cultural holiday than with the Keystone community? This year, the Keystone Activities Program (KAP) Chinese New Year concert was the perfect opportunity for Keystone students and parents to come together and celebrate the upcoming Year of the Dragon with a dazzling performance of music, dance, wushu, and more!
A Keystone tradition, this year’s KAP Chinese New Year concert brought the whole community together in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) on Wednesday, January 17. Spanning all school divisions, the event included performances by the Primary School choir, Secondary School dance teams, the Yunyin Orchestra, the Wushu team, wushi (lion dance), calligraphy, and more. One special new addition to this year’s concert was the PTA Choir, who brought their children onstage to join in singing. This event was truly a family affair, with the wide variety of performances creating an unforgettable holiday atmosphere.
Capturing the essence of Chinese New Year celebration was a major part of this concert. “Holding such an important performance on the PAC stage gave the students a nice conclusion to the semester and helped them welcome the New Year,” says Ms. Jasmine Yang, a Secondary School music teacher at Keystone and event organizer. Her KAP group, the Yunyin Orchestra, performed three songs using traditional Chinese instruments to play Western music. One of their songs featured dou dizhu, a family favorite game played during Chinese New Year. Combined with the traditional dance, calligraphy, and wushu performances, this concert was the perfect way to kick of a season of celebration.
In addition to bringing the New Year to spirit to Keystone, the KAP concert also served as a capstone of all the learning and practice of the student performers. The groups had been tirelessly rehearsing for the concert during their first semester KAP sessions. All their preparation came together on the stage of the PAC for an astounding show, with every group bringing their own talent to the Chinese New Year concert. The hard work and collaboration from students and teachers involved in this event brought Chinese New Year to life at Keystone.
The importance of the KAP Chinese New Year Concert resonates well after the final notes were sung and played, and the final steps danced. Its unique blend of student expression and holiday celebration is an integral part of the school’s Chinese Thread arts curriculum and keystone of promoting Chinese culture and identity in a world context. This year’s KAP Chinese New Year concert set the stage for an exciting holiday season. Thank you to all the students, teachers, and parents who participated in this wonderful event, and happy Chinese New Year!
