More student's testimonial

LA's first Holiday Workshop in November 20-22, 2006 for students aged 7 onwards to adults

The writeup below is contributed by Miss Elsie Liew and her cousin, Miss Michelle Toh, who are our current Contemporary Dance students. They are the pioneer batch, and have been learning from Teacher Teresa since LA started. P/S: I am proud of u girls, too!

Contributed by Miss Elsie Liew, Bandar Sunway

Where do I get to know about LA? Thanks to my sister, Li Yeng, who joined LA’s first holiday workshop with my cousin sister, Michelle Toh. They came back and started to practice and to my surprise my sister can DANCE! She has no background or close to dance. I still remember whenever Pussycat Dolls – Button plays, I will refer it to both of Michelle and Li Yeng and it makes me want to dance.

So, one day I took the initiative to find out everything I needed to know and 3 of us joined the contemporary dance in December 2006. I’m proud to say that I was Teresa’s first batch of students.

Why LA? I remember asking Teresa why there are no mirrors in the studio like others do. She told me that she do not want her students to compete with each other by looking at the mirror. She wants all her students to feel and dance confidently. What she said was very true as all of us have our own style. Another thing I love about LA is the wide and spacious studio. In the past, I have visited several dance studios that are comparatively smaller and had lower ceilings which restrict our movements. In LA, students are put in small groups (less than 10) so they can concentrate better and the teacher can focus on everyone.

Teresa is friendly and very, very and I repeat very patient to have a student who forgets her steps in each and every class – ME. But eventually, she told me that I am improving in the 2nd semester. And from the 2nd semester onwards, I can remember most of the steps (although I still forget it, hehehe). For the past 6 months, I learnt what is contemporary – it differs from other dance and there is no specific form to it. And best of all, I got a patient teacher Teresa for a slow learner like me. Last but not least, I am proud to be part of LA’s family. BRAVO to everyone!

Contributed by Miss Michelle Toh, Bandar Sunway

I got to know LA through a leaflet, and that particular leaflet is about the December holiday workshop. Coincidently, I was on holiday so I gave it a try. During those 3 days, I went home drenched with sweat and a body full of aches. Besides that, it was all fun. I knew that LA is the studio that I would like to go to. So, I signed up for contemporary dance because I like the gracefulness of the dance.

I chose LA because they do not have mirrors (hooray!). With me being plump, I don’t get to see myself in the mirror and become self-conscience of my body shape. Without mirrors, I can fully concentrate on my movements. The high ceilings and open windows also allowed me to dance comfortably because I do not huff and puff after class as I have fresh air circulating in my lungs rather than air-cond.

Now that I have been with LA for 3 semesters doing contemporary dance, I have more confidence in myself. Thanks to teacher Teresa, who is often patient in guiding me. Being in contemporary dance, I do not only learn the steps. I also learnt how to correct my body posture, alignment and improve my creativity. Sometimes we are given a game where we are required to explore movements together with the music. These games enhance my creativity.

It is so fun being in dance class and that makes me look forward to dancing every day. Being part of LA’s family makes me very proud. As long as I can dance, I would always be a part of LA.

Students' Testimonials

Angelic faces & contained energy before performance.

From L-R standing: YenShan, Fessy, KuanSing, Stephanie, WoanSheu, Deborah, Yike.

From L-R kneeling: MeiShang, Amylin, Jojo.

Final practice backstage

The following writeups are contributed by Miss Amylin Gan, Miss Chai Woan Sheu and Miss Deborah Evangeline Gan, who are our current Hip Hop students. They are gracious enough to share with us their newfound experiences since joining Living Arts Studio (LA). Thank you, girls. Namaste.

Contributed by Miss Amylin Gan, Subang Jaya
Since young, I enjoyed dancing, but was not exposed to any formal dance lessons. I got to know about LA from my sis, Deborah who googled for a dance studio which provides hip hop lessons nearby our place. So, we decided to pay a visit to LA. Prior to joining LA for hip hop class, I was taking aerobic and dance class elsewhere. After 3 months, I decided to look for a dance studio that can offer much better dance experience for me.

Both of us enrolled for its trial class for hip hop lessons. I found myself liking LA - the mirrorless wall, spacious and airy dance floor, friendly dance teachers and peers. I had a feeling that LA was able to give me a better platform to learn to express myself.

The hip hop dance lessons were conducted in termly duration, each lasted for 3 months. After each term, I was given a chance to perform what I had learn to an audience. In the first performance, I was given a chance to perform for Sukan Wanita at Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil on June 4. I got to experience what dance performers had to go through prior to staging a performance. In the second performance, my friends and I performed in front of 300 odds people in Port Klang. At that time, I was attending dance lessons and rehearsals back-to-back every week. What a challenge! But in the end, all was worth the while.

After taking classes at LA for 6 months, I found my dance techniques improving by leaps and bounds. I gained confidence in myself, and was able to see myself grow. I have learned to love my body and to tell my body to move in the manner that I choose to. In short, I felt great about who I have become.

Burning the dance floor with singer Adilla

Contributed by Miss Chai Woan Sheu, Subang Jaya
When I first came to LA (recommended by a friend), I know I wanted to learn dancing. I signed up for Hip Hop class because I admire those cool dancers on MTV. They seem so attractive, professional and confident. My first hip hop class consists of a few guys and gals around my age. Miss Yike’s choreography made dancing so fun and enjoyable until we started meeting at LA more often just to practice.

So, I was very excited when given a chance to perform at a grand stage in Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil. At first, I felt nervous and tensed then I felt very lucky and grateful to be able to perform with other professionals for this show. But when I heard the audiences cheer, I realised that all the sweat and tears spilled during rehearsals were worth it.

At a separate performance, I was so inspired upon seeing a group of children dancing. They seemed so natural, so sure of themselves. Something I have always strived for in my dance, in my life. Personally, there is so much more to discover about dancing. I have just started to enjoy rhythm and let my inner self shine!

Through dance, I shared my worries, my joy. Through dance, I found new friends. Through dance, I discovered my true potential and personality! Because I am not checking myself in the mirror every second (LA has no mirror), I can therefore focus on ‘feeling’ every movement and interpret it in my own unique way.

Giving their best during the performance

Contributed by Deborah (Eva), Subang Jaya
Dancing has always been on my mind since a very tender age. How I came across LA? I went through google to search for a dance school near Sunway, and so happen LA appeared in the searched results. Since day one at Living Arts, there is no denying that I certainly had learned a great deal. They would even give us a chance to perform in public.

Speaking about performing, from my past experience with LA, it has been really encouraging for me to move forward, to better myself. Stage fright was one of my greatest fear, thanks to all my friends at LA who is always there to boost my level of confidence. They are all a bunch of awesome people. Not to mention, my dance teacher, Miss Yike, who is one fine lady with distinguished ability and of course, courage. Wouldn't you want to come on board with us?

Higher adrenalin after performance.

Dear friends and students,
Below are NEW INTAKE for beginners. We offer free trial for students who would love to try out new styles and techniques.

Monday
7.00 - 8.00pm Yoga
7.30 - 8.30pm Hip Hop
8.00 - 9.00pm Yoga
8.30 - 9.30pm Jazz Funk

Wednesday
7.30 - 8.30pm Contemporary Dance

Thursday
7.00 - 8.00pm Yoga

Friday
7.00 - 8.00pm Yoga

Saturday
3.00 - 4.00pm Contemporary Dance (Intermediate)
4.00 - 5.00pm Yoga
5.30 - 6.20pm Little Dancer Children Program

Hope you find what makes your feet grooves!

In Deep Contemplation
Those of us serving at Living Arts are constantly asking ourselves question. Self-inquiry and self-study is one of the main elements that speed growth. To be honest, to not be attached, to have gratitude, and to be responsible of our health, our words, our deeds, our thoughts.

In light of my recent completion of Reiki 2, we are all ONE.

Yours in reiki-love,
Teresa

"The man who is devoted and not attached to the fruit of his actions obtains tranquility."