Jockey Club Contemporary Dance Literacy and Learning Project

CCDC launched this three-year “Jockey Club Contemporary Dance Literacy and Learning Project” funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust in September 2018 to give Hong Kong primary and secondary school students their first encounter with contemporary dance. Through an innovative programme of school tour performances, guided appreciation and experiential workshops, the project lays the groundwork for developing interest and appreciation for the arts. This project targets all eligible primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong.

The project includes:
  1. “Dance out of the Box 2.0” Contemporary Dance School Tour
  2. Guided Appreciation of Professional Contemporary Dance Production
  3. Contemporary Dance Workshops

Resonate with your body and bring more thought to modern dance

Every movement has meaning. Those who see it will react according to their current mood. When watching modern dance, do not worry about whether you can understand it. Try to open your heart, cast away limits, let dance resonate with your body and accept that resonance, so as to feel the shock that is brought on by the body, and hence, initiate more thinking.

We believe that contemporary dance has three qualities:

  • The expression of personality — respecting for diversity and different opinions

  • The pursuit of innovation — accepting new things and trying to adapt to a new lifestyle

  • Concern for the Time — learning to communicate and tolerate in the face of dissenting groups

These three qualities help us establish a sound social value, so that individuals, societies, and nations can develop and enjoy robust growth.

Willy Tsao, Founder of CCDC

Modern dance, Contemporary dance

Is it abstract: Hard to understand?

Nothing matters

The important thing is that you can enjoy the present moment

Everyone is unique

Feelings come from your own heart

There is no right or wrong

It matters only when something is experienced, touched and enjoyed

Choreographer, Peggy LAM

To appreciate a person, whether it is others or oneself, requires a bit of wisdom and a little courage. To obtain wisdom is to activate your mind and acquire endless knowledge. To obtain courage is to open your mind and understand and practice tolerance.

To appreciate art, you do not have to follow any standard path. The most important thing is the process. Everyone is unique, so everyone can define and create their own art. You don’t need to be constrained by rules; dance to the rules of your own making. Dance out of the box!

Dance Out of the Box 2.0 Director, Melissa LEUNG

Words from teachers

詹主任
軒尼詩道官立小學

節目精彩，能把當代舞的概念深入淺出，學生較易明白，所以看得很投入，反應很好。

陳老師
順德聯誼總會梁銶琚中學

城市當代舞蹈團的演出相當精彩，大開眼界！能透過當代舞讓人認識到甚麼當代舞，更能提升大家對當代舞的興趣。當代舞的即興性與抒發性，叫人親切、興奮、寫意！欣賞節目的細心安排，很專業，別出心裁、很互動，讓師生也能投入、享受在其中。盼能有機會欣賞您們的演出！參與你們的活動！

區淑誼老師
保良局莊啟程小學

精心的舞蹈編排，同學們看得投入，也看得開心！謝謝您們給予同學們一次難忘的經歷。

Sarah Neill
Sha Tin Junior School

It was such a wonderful performance; one of my favourite shows at SJS. The way they managed to get all 300 children to participate was amazing and all the reflections I read on the yellow sheets were hugely positive. Even children not traditionally fond of dance came out with such a different mindset. The way they used different languages was really good and we are going to use that as example for the kids with regards to performance at exhibition.

Thanks so much for organising it. It really was fantastic.

Kat Troy
Sha Tin Junior School

such a wonderful experience for the children. They absolutely loved it and it was such a great showcase of contemporary dance. The performers were entertaining and knowledgeable and it was lovely to have something in Cantonese/English. A lot of the children chose to write the reflections in Chinese. If we are able to get the show again next year, that would be fab!