UH Hilo Chinese studies students perform traditional music, dance, and song at local veterans home
The group performed colorful traditional dances — lion, dragon, fan, snake, handkerchief — and sang, played flute and piano. “It was a very special experience.”
By Susan Enright.
Students in the Chinese studies program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, their professor, and several community volunteers performed traditional music, dance, and song for veterans and staff March 28 at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo. Also joining the performances were students from Hawaiʻi Community College.
“The visit and performance went very well, and our students had a very special experience of interacting with the veterans and staff there,” says Jiren Feng, associate professor of Chinese studies and program coordinator for the Chinese studies certificate, who teaches the students and organized the event. “It was a very special experience for me as the faculty, and our students who were very happy to share what they learned to the veterans and staff.”
The group performed a lion dance, dragon dance, fan dance, snake dance, handkerchief dance, singing, cucurbit flute playing, piano playing with singing, as well as an interactive Chinese fashion show that included the veterans home staff. “The staff thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Chinese fashion show,” says Feng.
The large room where the performance took place was ringed with veterans and staff enjoying the show, lots of smiles and happiness everywhere.
Stacyn Sakuma, recreational coordinator at the veteran’s home, says in an email that the UH Hilo performance was “one of the BEST throughout the years.”
“The time put into every performance is greatly appreciated,” she writes in an email to Feng. “Our facility and veterans thank each of you for your time and talents shared with us all. Each performance done showed how much you folks work on planning it and also the love you folks put into your work. It was felt all around. Our veterans shared how much they appreciated this performance and visit very much!”
(Unless otherwise noted, photos are courtesy of the Chinese studies program/UH Hilo, click to enlarge.)
Story by Susan Enright, a public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories.
