A CHALLENGING CURRICULUM

• Chinese Dance   

• Ballet Training   

• Jazz Training

• Hip Hop Training

• Stage Makeup

On the first day of the Workshop, all students will be placed into classes based on age. The curriculum for each level is designed to be challenging as well as best fitting for that stage of the student's development. 

All student will receive a minimum of 4 hours dance lesson each day.  In addition, there will be other course & activities aimed at improving their overall performing arts capabilities.

ON STAGE PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE

At the end of the workshop, all students will have an opportunity to join the Final Performance Program on August 16, 2008 at the ACAS Activity Center in front of their family and friends.

OUTSTANDING FACULTY

DIRECTOR OF THE SUMMER CHINESE DANCE WORKSHOP

JADE LIN is the co-founder and artistic Director/Choreographer of the American Chinese Art Society.  She is a renowned instructor of the traditional Chinese dance in the New England area. Ms. Lin received the 2002 Community Service Award of The Asian American Unity Dinner Inc. to recognize her exemplary "devotion, dedication and skills in introducing Chinese art and culture to those residing in the Greater Boston area, particularly to children".  She was selected by the Newton Women's Commission for recognition in a photo exhibit highlighting women as a major contributor in the field of Cultural Arts in year 2000, and also received a "Pride of Newton Award" to recognize her excellence in the arts in 1995.  In addition, she received an Official Citation for Outstanding Contributions from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Senate and a Citation for Contribution to the Cultural Exchange from the Massachusetts House of Representatives on July, 1989.  She was invited to serve as one of the choreographers for the 25th anniversary season Mandala Folk Dance Ensemble in 1990, and "The Great Tea House", a new musical drama produced by Millennium Music Center in 2001.  Ms. Lin received the 2002 Community Service Award at the Asian American Unity Dinner to recognize her "exceptional devotion, dedication and skill in introducing Chinese art and culture to those in Greater Boston, particularly to children."  Most recently, Ms. Lin's accomplishments in Chinese Dance were recognized by Chinese Culture Connection that chose her as their recipient of the 2007 Outstanding Achievement Award.

        Since 1985, Ms Lin has been the choreographer and artistic director of the Traditional Chinese Dance Troupe of the American Chinese Art Society.  Over the years,  she has taught traditional Chinese dance in many organizations including Lexington Chinese Language School,  Newton Cantonese Chinese School, Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association, Radcliffe Asian American Dance Troupe at Harvard University.  Currently, she is the choreographer and dance instructor of ACAS Dance Studio.

GUEST MASTER FACULTY

QING YE   A graduate of the the Chinese dance department of Hubei Art  College with a major in Folk Dance Choreography.  Mr. Ye was principal dancer and choreographer in the Hubei Performing Arts Group of China's Hubei Province.  "Shan Dan Dan", choreographed and danced by Mr. Ye, was awarded First Prize in Performance and Choreography in the National Dance Championship and his research paper on the subject of Chinese folk dance was published in the national magazine, DANCE.  Upon immigrating to the United States, Mr. Ye was named Art Director of Xilin Art Center, where he currently teaches traditional, folk and modern Chinese dance to more than 200 students in the Chicago area. 

        Mr. Ye will in charge of  "Chinese Dance" classes in the 2008 Chinese Dance Summer Workshop.

MARY VASEL  will return for her 5th year as Ballet Instructor for  for the 2008 Chinese Dance Summer Workshop.  Mrs. Vasel instructed her own ballet school for 33 years.  Presently she is ballet instructor for the ACAS Dance Studio with Jade Lin.  During her performing career, she danced professionally throughout New England and with the Boston Ballet Company, then under the direction of it's founder, E. Virginia Williams.  In 1968, Ms. Vasel's talent as a dancer helped her win the title of "Miss Massachusetts - World" which enable her to compete for the Miss USA title in San Diego.  She was chosen as one of the 10 semi-finalists.  In December, 1968, she and three other Boston Ballet Company dancers along with the Boston Opera Company performed at the White House for President Lyndon B. Johnson and the Apollo Astronauts.  Mrs. Vasel's love of dance and teaching is evident through so many of her students who have carried the love of dance with them into their adult lives.  She is looking forward to working with the Summer Dance Workshop students once again.

DEIDRE WILLIAMS    Bachelor of Art degree from Boston University.  Presently on staff as a jazz teacher at the Lexington School of Ballet.  Also works as a choreographer for figure skaters at the Skating Club of Boston.  Previously received dance training at the Jeanette Neille Dance Studio in Boston Rater was a scholarship student at Steps on Broadway in NYC where she also did various jobs dancing professionally including theme park and television work. 

        Ms. Williams will in charge of " Jazz Training" classes in the ACAS Chinese Dance Summer Workshop 2008.

CHRISTIN  COLLINS    Christin started dancing at the Lexington School of Ballet at age four, concentration in ballet, character, and jazz. She has also received training from Summer Stages Dance at Concord Academy, Dana Hall School, and Boston University.  She has much experience in performing hip-hop, as well as multiple types of modern dance.  Christin choreographs for the studio and the stage, including recent work for elementary school and musicals.  In 2005, she was a gold medalist at both the regional and national American Dance Awards competitions.  Christin is currently a jazz teacher at the Lexington School of Ballet, a guest jazz and hip-hop teacher at the Brookline Academy of Dance, and an active performer at Boston University. 

     Christin will in charge of "Hip-Hop Training" classes in the ACAS Chinese Dance Summer Workshop 2008.

GRACE CHAN    Grace is a certified Dance Instructor, having received her certification in Beijing Dance Academy's Graded Examination for Chinese Dance.  She started the Dance Revelasian as the  Artistic Director in 2003.  She won the Highest Overall Score Award, Best Minority Dance Award, and Most Authentic Chinese Dance Award at the 10th North American Chinese Dance Competition in Vancouver in 2006.  In addition to serving as ACAS's Head Choreographer and Instructor, Grace also teaches at the Lexington Chinese Language School, Tsai Fung Dance Troupe, and Dong Fang Dance Performance Arts.

        Grace Chan will in charge of "Chinese Basic" classes in the ACAS Chinese Dance Summer Workshop 2008.

ANGELA YIN  LEE    Angela began dancing at the age of five.  Due to her love dance and Chinese culture, she joined the ACAS Traditional Chinese Dance Troupe at its inception in 1985, and was Vice Leader from 1989 to 1991.  Angela worked as Ms. Jade Lin's Teacher's Assistant for Lexington Chinese Language School dance class from 1989-1991.  In 1993, she was the choreographer and make-up artist for Wellesley College's production of M. Butterfly.

        Angela is currently a high school history teacher in Weston, and enjoys working with young people.  Since January of 2005, she has been an choreographer and assistant instructor for the ACAS Traditional Chinese Dance Troupe.  She also taught Stage Makeup for the The 7th and 8th Chinese Dance Summer Workshop.

 COUNSEL IN TRAINING PROGRAM

The Chinese Dance Summer Workshop is recruiting three qualified CITs to help supervise group rehearsals in the studio.  Tuition is waived, free lunch is provided and each CIT will be paid $ 150.00.  An application and personal interview are required.  Please complete the Application Form by May 31, 2008 and mail to: American Chinese Art Society, 111 Truman Road, Newton, MA 02459.  The Workshop Director will contact you for an interview after receiving your application.

  APPLICATION  FORM