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."

‘ON THE MOVE’ Holiday Workshop

This is a dance workshop for students aged 7 onwards and adults.

We are back to get you on your groove this holiday.

Be prepared to be molded into a semi-professional dancer in just one day!

Looking for something to do during the holidays? If you like to kick, turn, slide and jump, come spend a day with dance professionals and capoeiristas. So grab your friend and find your moves together. There will be belly dance, hip hop, funk, contemporary, capoeira, yoga and many more!

Dance or sports attire required. Open for all levels and ages. Experience is not necessary. Please call to make reservations at 017-330 7244 or 012-399 8467.

Workshop Schedule (Email me for full schedule)
Session 1 - May 27th for Adults (18 & above)
Session 2 - May 28th for Juniors (age 7 - 17)

Workshop Time
10.00am till 5.00pm (both days)

Workshop Fee (Inclusive of Lunch)
Living Arts students - RM100
Early bird registration – RM120 (valid before May 20th)
After May 20th – RM150

SPECIAL EVENT for LADIES only!

Living Arts is proud to present an Egyptian Belly Dance Workshop by Inessa Parker.

Inessa is an international oriental dance artiste who has performed in Japan, UK, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and various venues in Malaysia, including Genting Highlands Resort. A member of the UK Mosaic Arabic Dance Network, Inessa has been an avid performer since 1993. Today, she’s one of the finest and most established belly dancer, teacher and performer in Malaysia.

Date : May 20th, 2007 (Sunday)

Time : 1.00 – 5.00pm (technique & choreography)

Fee : RM220 per person (plus refreshments)

For enquiries and to register, please contact Teresa at 017- 330 7244 or tchian@gmail.com

Special Announcement! Masterclass postponed.

Living Arts presents a DANCE MASTERCLASS by celebrity dancer ‘Normann’.

Specialize in Hip Hop, Funk and House dance (involves a mixture of salsa, break dance, jacking, hip hop, jazz and tap).

Originally from France, Normann has performed and toured with celebrity singer Madonna to France, USA, Canada, Europe, Russia, Japan, Germany, Portugal and etc on various occasions. He has also worked with Misteeq, Craig David, Busta Rhymes, to name a few. Apart from dancing, he practices Muay Thai (Thai Boxing), English Boxing and Basic Acrobatics.

Date: 21st April (Saturday) Please note that this masterclass has been postponed to 28th April.

Time: 2.30 - 5.00pm

Venue: Living Arts Studio

Fees: RM80 (LA students) / RM90 (public)

This is a rare opportunity!

Open to all dance students who has some dance experience. Limited to 30 spaces only. Please call me for registration and pay RM10 to secure your place today. 017 330 7244

Asia Cafe 31 March 2007

COWABANGA!!!

Thank you for all the wonderful team effort. You all turned up, albeit the downpour. It was a successful pilot project. We will be back at Asia Cafe on 14th and 21st April, 9pm onwards. Find us near the birdcage again! Pray that we get dry weather this time.

Date: 14th and 21st April (saturday)

Time: 9pm onwards

Venue: Asia Cafe, Subang (opposite Inti College)

Why do I practice yoga?

BE INSPIRED. BE ORIGINAL.

Our asana practice can have a positive impact on our lives because it constantly asks us to become more sensitive, more conscious, more aware of ourselves—not just of our bodies but also of our minds, feelings, and emotions. Asana practice can teach us to tune in to our beings and truly feel aware of the world around us. As our sensitivity increases, life becomes more rich and enjoyable because we can taste the unique flavor of each individual moment.

More important, we also become more aware of what moves us toward our dharma, or life path, and what takes us away from it. This awareness makes us clearer and more peaceful, more able to elegantly handle life's endless dilemmas without feeling overwhelmed or fearful. As a result, we become more effective in all of our actions, and our presence begins to inspire and bring out the best in people around us.

The awareness that we develop on the yoga mat, though seemingly small, affects all that is. As we become more aware in our yoga practice and in our lives, as we move away from force and violence and toward sensitivity, feeling, and awareness, we change our individual consciousness and actions. In turn, these changes influence the consciousness and actions of everyone we meet. Slowly, we shift the direction the world is taking.

As we practice each asana, whether it be a challenging twist or a simple standing pose, we have the opportunity to become the embodiment of peace and to make our practice a prayer for harmony in the world.

To all my friends who are on this divine journey, you & I are not alone. Namaste. Om Shanti.

Embracing Change

We all know that nothing is permanent. What goes around, comes around. These are the natural laws of the universe. As the Artistic Director of Living Arts, I am constantly faced with the challenge to provide tremendous freedom & creative space for my ppl and to build a megasolid structure for the business. Space + Structure = ?

In the events leading up to the new reality dance show - SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (SYTYCD) that has become the talk of the town recently, LA has embraced multiple layers of change. As friends & students continue to come and go, I can only get more excited and be prepared for our next challenge.

I have reset our marketing strategy. A fortnightly public performance at Asia Cafe is set to go. We must be seen, be heard and be felt! Share our passion with strangers. This is the essence of the practice of our art - by the people, for the people. People has started to enquire about jazz funk, modern jazz, modern dance, contemporary dance and capoeira. Previously, our Malaysian counterparts can only relate to Hip Hop, Hip Hop, and more Hip Hop.

SYTYCD will definitely be a booster to our industry because our speciality is in funk, hip hop, jazz, modern and contemporary dance and this show seemed to have engaged judges, dancers and choreographers who are expertise in this genre of dance. Very glad indeed¬! Bring it on, dancers!

There is magic in each day. Find it and spread it!

Here, take a moment

Take a deep breathe. inhale...exhale...

Hooray! We have been given the privilege to hold our very first outdoor performance at a very happening spot in Subang & Sunway area. Come over, have a drink and make some noise! We will be throwing ourselves on the floor and up in the air, near the bird cage...Let me repeat, find us near the bird cage. Come & say HOLA!

Time: 9.00-10.00pm

Date: 31 March (saturday)

Venue: Asia Cafe, Subang (opposite Inti College)

Program: Hip Hop, Contemporary Dance, Line Dancing & Capoeira

Magical moments with friends of LA

New promotions! New classes for everyone

There is no art without originality. There is no originality without personality.

Starting this March 2007, we are giving offering more goodies for new and existing students. Here is the story:

Yoga class - Buy 1 Free 1.
Sign up with a friend and pay only the price of one.
Original package is RM100/1 month per person.

Dance class - Buy 2 Free 1.
Sign up with 2 other friends and you get to dance for free!
Original package is RM300/3 months per person.

New classes at Living Arts

Monday 7 - 8pm Big Belly Latin
Monday 8 - 9pm Yoga

Thursday 6 - 7pm Contemporary Dance
Thursday 7 - 8pm Modern Jazz
Thursday 8 - 9pm Hip Hop
Thursday 9 - 10pm Funky Jazz

Friday 7 - 8pm Line Dance
Friday 8 - 9.30pm Capoeira

Saturday 4.30-5.30pm Hip Hop

Email me if you would like a full schedule. or just want to find out more.

MARCH - Workshop & New classes

LIVING ARTS presents - Capoeira & Dance Workshop

If you think you can kick, turn, slide and freeze, come spend a day with capoeiristas and dance professionals. Jump into any class for RM5 only. So grab your friend and find your moves together. Dance or sports attire required.

You can call us to make reservations. 017-330 7244 or 012-399 8467

Date: March 10 (Saturday)

Time: 12pm - 5pm

Venue: Living Arts Studio
No 1 – 3, Jalan PJS 8/11, Dataran Mentari, Bandar Sunway.
(we are located opposite Sunway Pyramid, beside ProJet Station, above Perodua Showroom)

SCHEDULE:

12.00 - 1.00pm Capoeira
1.00 - 2.00pm Contemporary Dance
2.00 - 3.00pm Capoeira
3.00 - 4.00pm Hip Hop Latin
4.00 - 5.00pm Capoeira

Capoeira

Contemporary Dance

Hip Hop Latin

******

New classes at Living Arts

Monday 7 - 8pm Big Belly Latin

Monday 8 - 9pm Yoga

Thursday 6 - 7pm Contemporary Dance

Thursday 7 - 8pm Modern Jazz

Thursday 8 - 9pm Hip Hop

Thursday 9 - 10pm Funky Jazz

Friday 7 - 8pm Line Dance

Friday 8 - 9.30pm Capoeira

Saturday 430-530pm Hip Hop Beginner

If you would like to view our schedule, please email me at tchian@gmail.com or call me at 017-330 7244.

Namaste.

Teresa
Artistic Director

Point of contact

Living Arts became a celebrity overnight!

Thank you for all your enquiries via emails and phone calls. Your support, passion and desire has been very motivating for my team and I, here at LA. We are multi-tasking every day and no matter how driven we are, the tasks at hand can get quite daunting at time. But your wish is my command.

We look forward to meeting more people who are curious about what we do. Living Arts is getting known as THE place for artistic activities - a place with airy space, high ceiling and no mirrors!

For information about classes and fees, drop me a note or give me a buzz.
Teresa
017 330 7244 or tchian@gmail.com
Yike
012 399 8467 or yikechan@gmail.com

The Dance Connection - published in Sunday Star on January 7, 2007

TERESA Chian has very fond memories of Bali Spirit, a three-storey cafe cum dance and yoga school in Bali run by an American entrepreneur. She discovered the creative space when she visited Bali two years ago.
“It was very raw, yet there was an intimacy among friends there,” she says.

Now 25, passionate dancer Chian is trying to recreate the atmosphere she enjoyed at Bali Spirit in her dance studio, Living Arts.

“This will be a space where different forms of art come together to build something,” says Chian enthusiastically as she shows me around the place. “I want people to come in and hang out and get inspired, come and go whenever they wish,” she goes on to say.

In the studio, people will learn contemporary dance such as “Funky Spears, “Hip Hop Amuro”, line dancing and even musical theatre.

Living Arts offers an airy feel and a place in which to lose your inhibitions – unlike your usual dance studio, it has no mirrors! The studio is dominated by a wide, open space, mostly covered with warm, wooden floors; it has a soaring ceiling and lots of glass windows letting in natural light adds to the airy feel. This is where most of the dance classes are held (yoga classes are held in a small room in the same floor), but unlike most dance schools, there are no mirrors in this space.

“When you do not have a mirror in front of you, you actually forget about posing and doing the right thing. The process becomes more internal and intuitive. It becomes more soulful, more rasa (with feeling),” Chian says.

She adds, “I wanted an open plan where people can just come in and just watch, experience and feel the chi (energy).” The interior of Living Arts may seem unpolished (there is no fancy furniture or gorgeously tiled floors), especially to those who have seen better décor in dance studios, but this is how Chian likes it.

In polished studios, you can’t connect, she explains. Chian has grand plans for the place. She hopes, in a year’s time, to convert the studio’s rooftop area into a cafe, and a place where people can do outdoor yoga. She also hopes to hang paintings from young, experimental artists – “nothing too landscape-y” – around the studio.

When Living Arts opened in November last year, it held free dancing classes on the first day. People dropped by to learn jazz, hip hop or even yoga. However, there aren’t any ballet classes. Nor will there ever be. “I think there are enough ballet studios out there. I want to be one of the few people who educate young audiences about modern dance,” she explains.

Though Living Arts hasn’t been open long, students are already flocking to the studio.“I didn’t like ballet,” admits Chian, who started ballet lessons when she was five and took classes until she was 17. “My toes bled all the time! I was lucky that I left the ballet world without any injuries,” she says.

Setting up Living Arts was an almost impulsive decision for Chian – her friends and family were surprised at her move. But Chian went full steam ahead: in two months, she found a place for her studio in Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya, renovated the place and began promoting the school.

She throws the words “energy”, “spirituality” and “rawness” around a lot, and one gets the impression that Chian regards the arts as something very spiritual thing. “Eventually I want to choreograph a piece where we do alternate dance; there will be different forms of arts coming together to build something,” she says.

Chian was exposed to dance at a young age. She was part of the dance troupe Dua Space when she was 19 (1999-2001) and then joined the influential Kwang Tung Dance Troupe in 2005. In 2004, she performed in cities around Scotland with Maxine Railton, a dance lecturer from Anniesland College, Glasgow. “I learnt to blend in and yet have my own style,” she says of her experience in Scotland. “I thought then that Westerners were better and Asians were second grade, but I realised that dance is body language,” she says. And that transcends culture.

“Dance is progressing slower than music or theatre in Malaysia,” says Chian almost wistfully. “But people are coming out to do dance in their own way,” she adds more hopefully.
Chian, for one, has great admiration for Malaysian dancers; they are multi-disciplinary dancers, she says, because they are exposed to Indian, Chinese, Malay and other ethnic dances and cultures.

“Malaysian dancers are coming into their own identity. And they have more depth and soul,” she says.

Cast Party!

Dinner - Tarot Card - Bowling - Movie (Confession of Pain)
LA Dream Team: Yike, Apple, Jordan, Malcolm, Yuki, Melvin & Jack
LA friends & supporters: James, Little Leaf, Wide Heart, Kev, Joe, Kiwi

From being merely friends who share the same passion, we've become a big caring family of brothers and sisters, constantly looking out for each other. This is very encouraging.

Recently, someone has even suggested that we change the studio name to "Loving Arts". There seem to be abundant love going around...