Performing with Integrity to Inspire

Performing with Integrity to Inspire

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Project Dance envisions the day when every dancer is nurtured to their fullest human potential for their own well being and their contribution to our world. Our mission is to bring hope and healing to culture through the universal language of dance.Since the Foundation’s inception in 1996 and its incorporation in 2003, it has thrived as a 100% volunteer organization that serves more than 1500 dancers worldwide.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Cheryl's take on Project Dance Hong Kong 2009




Project Dance Hong Kong was amazing. For an event that is only in it's second year, I am so pleased to see that we are not only growing but expanding into other regions across Asia. Some of the highlights of the weekend included a miraculous answer to prayer for one of our dancers. He arrived with a heavy heart because his mother had been kidnapped 2 days prior to his arrival in Hong Kong. We prayed for him and received the good report that she had been recovered on Sunday morning. Thank you God! There was also a pastor from Laus who was in Hong Kong for talks on North and South Korea relations. He asked if he could sew seed in our organization and was so moved by the dancing. He offered us $20 US dollars which is the total of one month's salary in Laus. It's not what is given but what is sacrificed in giving. When I first received the money I thought it was truly a kind gesture. After realizing the huge amount of money that was given I was humbled to say the least.

Our weekend was spiritually rich and all of the dancers offered themselves 100% to the city of Hong Kong. I look forward to next year's event and also planning how we may enter China, Manila, Taiwan and Singapore with dance that brings hope and healing.

Thanks to the dedication of the Hong Kong team-Project Dance has a bright future on the other side of the planet.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Marketplace Myth #1

DOES GOD NEEDS PEOPLE IN THE MARKETPLACE?

There seems to be a trend in the church that applauds without question those Christians who throw themselves into the marketplace arena. The hope of young professionals is to pursue all that they’ve worked so hard in their lives, so far, to achieve and still appear upright before God by attending church and boldly proclaiming a relationship with Jesus. And, there is a tendency to allow that brother or sister to hold a license to live life a bit more on the edge. The pressure of a professional life and all of its demands seem to outweigh the idea of a holy life. It seems that as long as a Christian is actually in an environment where few Christians generally mingle that it’s ok to sin a little bit. There’s an idea that surely god will forgive a little sin as a way of furthering the kingdom of god. We don’t admit this attitude in the Church but it exists. The fact that many of these market place candidates find difficulty expressing their inner most secrets and struggles is a sure sign that we’re not asking the right questions. And, we’re leaving these young people out there to fend for themselves spiritually while they make a name for themselves and allow us to say “Oh, and did you know that he’s a Christian?” Have we forgotten God’s word that clearly states that he is not partial one to another? Why do we seem to exalt those who happen to work in television, or film, or stage? When it comes to God, we need to realize that there’s a whole different playing field. The measure of our well-being is merely based on what Christ did on each of our behalf.

While it may seem that God is using many Christians in the marketplace to get his name on the map, let’s remember that God doesn’t need us to make Himself known. He is a supernatural God and we should spend less time focusing on the venue in which we’re proclaiming Him and more time sharpening our personal relationship with Jesus himself. The ingredient for Christian success starts with a deep, personal and secret communication to God through Jesus by the Holy Spirit. This isn’t something learned in the marketplace or found in a random church service alone but rather through an appointed time by God that he becomes known to each one of us. The Bible says that He first loved us and that it’s not we that pursue him but he that pursues us.

Serving God is one thing, where and how you serve him is secondary to the actual service itself. The market place creates winners and losers. The market place creates super stars and super celebrities whether in business or entertainment. God cannot be contained merely to the social environment of our times. He is beyond comprehension, yet attainable. But, it is on His terms and He has made it clear that we need Him more than He needs us. He does long for us as His creation, of course, but the notion that He can’t do it without us is ridiculous. Count it an honor to be chosen to serve in an environment that you enjoy but don’t always expect it. Being adamant about how you chose to serve God will only limit what God can do in your life. Many of us say that we want only God’s will but as soon as he ask us to leave what it is we love we change our minds.

God has him eye on more than the Market place arena in the United States. Don’t miss out on the bigger picture all because while following your dream you happen to go in and out of relationship with the one true God.

Becoming a Christian and in the same breath making a decision to now do what it is that you do while loving God is only half of what God may be asking. Are you willing to 100% change your entire career/life plans/dreams/hopes/etc. Or, are you hoping that now God will just sort of come in and make things easier and better for you? Now that you have God surely you’ll get that promotion. Now that you have God in the picture surely you’ll capture that dream.

Let’s get one thing straight. God can use anyone, anytime, anywhere, for any purpose that he has ordained. If you want to be in the God picture then you must be willing to understand that God does not necessarily need you in the market place. He may chose to send you there but I recommend relinquishing that position before him and then seeing what he gives back or what he replaces it with. If you cannot do that or are not willing to do that you must then admit that you are not willing to serve God whole heartedly. The Bible says that a man thinks he knows best but God’s ways are higher than our ways. If you make a mistake and give up something that God intended for you to have, what kind of God wouldn’t then make it clear as he gave it back to you that you were doing some things right. But, your heart must be willing to let go.

So many new believers today ride the market place wave. As we see God using a handful of Christians in high profile positions we assume of God that we’ll be the next one that is used in a high profile way or a public way or in a way that we can do what it is that we absolutely love and have worked our whole lives to achieve. Don’t assume that of God. He has a unique plan for you and your love to him should be strong enough for you to absolutely give him everything.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Project Dance Hong Kong 2009 Teaching Staff

Cheryl Cutlip (USA) – Tap & Broadway Dance
Cheryl, Founder of Project Dance. She is also a Radio City Rockette and along with kicking on the great stage for the past 15 years. Her duties at Radio City have included dance captain、assistant choreographer for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular、spokesperson for nationally televised appearances including one-on-one interviews with Katie Couric, Diane Sawyer, and Larry King、co-choreographer for Kick Into Fitness (the official Rockette Workout); and choreographer for Christmas Across America promotional tours. Other career credits include the Broadway National Tour of “Crazy For You”, European Tour of “42 nd Street”, and the Broadway benefit to the stars of “Mack and Mable”, starring Jerry Herman and Donna McKechnie.

Derek Capps (USA/Hong Kong) – Modern
Derek, Co-Directs Glory Dance Company (modern dance company) in Hong Kong. Glory Dance Company was established in the United States 8 years ago and has recently relocated to Hong Kong. Derek recently performed in Walt Disney’s production of "Lion King" in Orlando, FL. Also, in Orlando he served as the dance director & performed at TBN’s Holy Land Experience theme park. He was also a soloist in the cast of 'Katonga’ at Busch Gardens, Tampa, Florida. Some of his performing credits include dancing with Tye Tribbett & GA, Philips, Craig, & Dean, Jars of Clay, Alvin Slaughter, Salvador, Vickie Winans and many others Christian recording artist. Derek has been a modern dance instructor for Project Dance Hong Kong and Atlanta.

Cami Capps (USA/Hong Kong) – Modern & Dancing Prayers
Cami is the Co-director of Glory Dance Company (modern dance company) in Hong Kong. She received a B.F.A. in Modern dance from East Carolina University. She has a dance master accreditation from Duke University -American Dance Festival. In 1997 she founded Glory Academy of Dance Arts in Wilmington, NC, USA. Cami has had the opportunity to perform throughout the USA, Jerusalem, Israel, the Philippines and Hong Kong. Cami served on staff, directed and danced at TBN’s Holy Land Experience in Orlando, FL. She has also served as guest Faculty for Project Dance, Atlanta (2007) as well as Project Dance, Hong Kong (2008).

Elina Veikkola (Finland) - Ballet Elina was born in Kortesjärvi in Finland. Her early training was in gymnastics, before moving on to ballet and contemporary dance. She studied at the Finnish National Opera Ballet School and at the University of Jyväskylä where she graduated with a Masters degree in Health Sciences and Dance Education. She first worked with Xaris in 2004, and later spent several months in Canada with husband Yuri, training at the School for Contemporary Arts in Vancouver. Currently, Elina is a missionary stationed in Hong Kong and a dancer with Glory Dance Company.

Elyse, Lai Yi Ting (Hong Kong) – Chinese Dance Elyse received a B.A. degree from the Faculty of Chinese Dance at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts. She was the winner of various scholarships including one to attend the Sichuan Cultural Dance Academy. Elyse has been the principal dancer for several major productions including “Mousaw women” & “Bundle” and has had the opportunity to perform in Singapore, Paris, Vienna, Hawaii & Brussels.

Shelby Skidmore, (USA) – Lyrical & Jazz
Shelby is a Texas native who has been dancing for 19 years. Her training encompasses all genres of dance, which she has studied at EDGE Performing Arts Center, Broadway Dance Center, and Westwood Fine Arts Academy in Austin. She spent two years at the University of Texas in Austin studying Dance Performance, and she graduated from Abilene
Christian University with a degree in Dance Education. Throughout her life, Shelby has performed in and directed several dance companies,
including Roustabouts Dance Company in Austin. Shelby travels the nation choreographing for various dance programs both privately and through Encore Creative Productions. She makes her current home in New York City, where she performs with multiple dance companies and projects including Fear. Less Dance, Atmosphere, and Kairos. Shelby’s lyrical jazz class and hip hop class is all about finding truth of expression through “feel good” movement. The class will focus on emotion based movement that seeks to convey a true story.


Melvin Jansen Ang, Team Vibe (Philippines) – Locking
Melvin is the Artistic director, chief Instructor, and choreographer of the Vibe Dance Studio, Manila, Philippines. Graduated with a major in Fine Arts from the University of Santo Tomas and serving actively in the"Talent InC" creative ministry of Victory Christian Fellowship, Manila. Venturing out not just to breathtaking performances ranging from hip hop, breakdance, jazz, gymnastics, creative writing; conducting dance classes and coaching dancers; high-quality costume designs; video productions, and a lot more. He has judged for international dance competitions in Singapore and Malaysia as well as conducting workshops all over Asia. His dancers constantly embody that drive within them in every feat reflecting God's glory in all that they do. It is faith in Christ that helps them to interrogate their work with a heart full of fire and desire for the Lord to help them to bring out the fullest and keep them perform on par with excellent. Recently, he and his crew Team Vibe won a top wining Award & Championship for the 2008 World Streetdance Championship in Netherlands and the Hip Hop Open and Solo Category for the Asia Pacific Dance Masters Competition 2007 in Malaysia.

BBoy Vino, Team Vibe (Philippines) – Breaking
Born and raised from the Philippines, Bboy Vino is a prolific dancer,having combined streetdance, gymnastics and bboying. A member of Team Vibe (2008 Silver World Streetdance Championship, Netherlands) and a faculty member of Vibe Dance Studio. He also teaches various companies and schools, sharing his knowledge and faith as well. He has appeared in various commercials and billboard ads. Trained by the likes of Jay Masta, Profowon, Powerserge, Rob Nasty, Marty Kudelka, Lil Phil, Kimberley Jay, 3ki Rick, Funkanometry SF, DS Players.


Cato Poon, (Hong Kong) – Hip Hop & Jazz
Trained at TVB dance school at the beginning of his dance career, Cato has gained specialties in various styles namely, Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, Chinese Dance, Social Dance and Gymnastics. Since 1995, Cato has started working and performing with lots of A-listed stars at their concerts, including Anita Mui, Aaron Kowk, Kelly Chen, Leslie Cheung and Karen Mok. At 2000, Cato is already widely recognized not only as one of the best dancers, but also one of the most sought-after choreographers in Hong Kong. He has personally given one-on-one dance training to a lot of young and rising artists namely Ivana Wong and Hins Cheung. He has also produced versatile dance performances in many memorable concerts and musicals in Hong Kong, including Sammy Kitty Musical (森美小儀歌劇團)、Fiona Sit 903 Live (薛凱琪拉闊音樂會) and Aaron Kwok de Show Reel Live (郭富城舞林正傳演唱會)。