Zephyr Dance Studio’s second showcase at the Kuching Food Festival featured diverse performances, highlighting dancers of all ages. The event emphasised the studio’s commitment to creativity, cultural preservation, and fostering confidence in both experienced dancers and beginners.
Zephyr Dance Studio shines bright in second showcase
Zephyr Dance Studio once again delivered an amazing performance at the Kuching Food Festival on August 3. Fifty-five dancers lit up the stage, embodying the full range of human emotions and transcending the spectrum of age — from the innocence of childhood to the complexities of adulthood — depicted through their movements.
The 3.5-hour showcase kicked off with a Zumba performance, followed by a diverse array of dance pieces across genres, including Chinese Lyrical, Modern Jazz, Contemporary, Traditional Sarawakian Ethnic Dance, Lyrical Jazz, Belly Dance, Heels, and Open-style Choreography.
The showcase also featured a lively performance by the KinATe Dance Crew, adding to the event’s vibrant atmosphere.
One of the show’s highlights was a poignant contemporary piece narrating a story of love, betrayal, and the intricacies of the human experience. The studio’s creative director, Cherry Abel, and fellow dancer Charles portrayed these themes through emotion and dance.
Since its establishment in June 2022, Zephyr Dance Studio has offered various dance classes in different genres, with traditional and contemporary dance being the latest additions to its offerings. The studio caters to both experienced dancers and complete beginners, including children as young as preschoolers, some of whom took the stage with impressive performances that Saturday.
Chloe, 10, began her dance journey in the Kids Contemporary class after her friend Ariana introduced her to it. She described her stage performance as thrilling and fulfilling.
“I’m happy and proud of myself. I’d love to do it again and look forward to future performances,” Chloe said after her performance.
Her mother, Julia, was drawn to Zephyr’s excellent reputation for nurturing creativity and discipline in children.
“The focus on technique and self-expression drew us in,” she said.
Julia has observed improvements in Chloe’s physical fitness, self-esteem, and sense of achievement.
“As parents, seeing her so engaged and happy is wonderful. She has become more confident and disciplined, and I hope she will continue to grow and thrive in her dance journey,” Julia added.
She also expressed a desire to see Zephyr continue inspiring and cultivating young talents in the future.
Liv Nanti Kuan, 5, loves her dance class and is always eager to attend each session. It also gives her the opportunity to make new friends. Reflecting on her performance in the showcase, she expressed her excitement and desire to be on stage again.
Her mother, Daphne Mirra, signed Liv up for the Kids Contemporary Dance class after noticing her daughter’s interest in dancing.
“I noticed she’s truly passionate about dance, and I thought it would be fun for her to experience it,” Daphne said.
Daphne has observed improvements in Liv’s posture and confidence and hopes she will continue to explore and develop her dancing skills and techniques.
Parents of the other young students also praised Zephyr for its positive impact on their kids.
One parent shared, “I enrolled my child in the dance class because she enjoys it, and the acceptance from instructors and classmates has built her confidence, especially since she struggles to find her place elsewhere. She’s always excited about dance class and eager to see her friends and teachers. Zephyr allows her to perform on stage, which she loves so much.”
Similarly, another parent shared her daughter’s excitement about performing in the showcase. She also mentioned how the dance class has helped her daughter discover her passion for dancing and make new friends.
“She loves learning new things, and it’s also a great way for her to stay active on weekends, taking a break from studying and screen time,” she said.
Melissa Kung, who teaches the Kids Bellydance class, finds it incredibly rewarding to work with her young students and witness their personal growth.
“Teaching kids is inspiring because they teach me so much in return. Their boundless energy, enthusiasm, and fearlessness in trying new things remind me of the importance of patience and maintaining a light-hearted, playful approach,” she said.
Beyond teaching dance techniques, Melissa focuses on building confidence, self-expression, and connection to the music and body.
“Seeing the kids gain self-assurance is fulfilling. Their joy, silliness, and presence uplift me and remind me to appreciate life’s simple pleasures. Teaching these kids has filled me with love and gratitude,” she added.
The collective effort and dedication of the dancers, their supportive families and friends, a team of volunteers — including photographers, videographers, and technical staff — and the festival organisers have tremendously helped bring this spectacular show to life. The success of the second showcase has once again demonstrated Zephyr’s passion, dedication, and commitment to artistic expression, cultural preservation, and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for dancers of all ages and skill levels.
The Zephyr family welcomes everyone to experience the joy and passion of dance. To join the Zephyr Dance Studio community, contact them at 016-8679976 or on Facebook and Instagram at Zephyr.Dancestudio.
