When Word Fails, Dance Speaks for Me
When Word Fails, Dance Speaks for Me
Lai Kaki Christina’s Story
Awardee of 25th Recognition Ceremony
Faculty of Social Sciences
BJ
“I enjoy contemporary (dance) so much because of the freedom it has. There is neither standard movement, nor right and wrong judgment upon dancers. You don’t have to be slim or tall. You can have your brain thinking deeply and your emotions flowing freely to create the movement that you truly resonate. You are only you on the stage,” said Christina Lai, a 2nd Place and Silver Award winner in the Dance World Cup World Finals 2021 (Senior Solo Contemporary).
Christina began her dancing journey at the age of two with Chinese dance. Despite relishing dancing on the stage and connecting with the audience, Christina always felt frustrated with and restrained by Chinese dance. “The teachers are always demanding on your appearance and movement. You are never tall, slim and pretty enough. You always have to meet the traditional standards shackled on you,” Christina recalled how her early years with Chinese dance nearly shattered her confidence. Her journey indeed came to an abrupt end with a serious injury at her primary six.
“You are only you on the stage”
However, seven years later, Christina received an opportunity to dance for her school’s anniversary ceremony. One of the choreographers told her, “Your body is so washable. You need to come back to dance.” This is the turning point when Christina started to get in touch with contemporary dance, that has no limits and encourages free movements upon dancers. Christina felt reconnected with her long time passion at that movement, in which she is allowed to express her inner thoughts freely with her own movement. Her thorny journey indeed inspired her performance at the Dance World Cup, in which she put in her own story. With the help from her friends and teachers, she indeed relives a story of how a girl getting depression and suicidal thoughts manages to find the hope in her life via her movements.
“I love how unique and free it is that every piece allows the dancers to express their own feelings with their own movements.”
“I truly love Contemporary dance. I love how unique and free it is that every piece allows the dancers to express their own feelings with their own movements. When I felt mad, I will roll on the floor and perform fierce movement. When I want to speak out, I am allowed to be naughty and creative. All these have changed my personality from an introvert to a more outspoken one.” Contemporary dance indeed speaks for her when words fail her. Devoted to her passion, she is determined to go abroad for a master’s degree on choreography and aspired to be a professional dancer in public theatre. Notwithstanding the thorns and hurdles in front of her, Christina is unreserved to break free all the shackles and live a life that she truly desires.
Written by:
Carmen Ng
Year 4, Faculty of Social Sciences
April 2022