Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Staff prepares for nationwide championship

Anxiously ready inside the pinnacle of the lion, Ana Marcela Cantu listens for the beat of the tanggu to start performing her first aggressive lion dance together with her teammates.

“Going to (the) competitors, I knew I used to be getting judged,” structure senior Cantu mentioned. “It was a bit bit nerve-wracking. I needed to persuade myself that it was (similar to) a daily efficiency.”

Cantu mentioned she remembers final yr’s competitors as considered one of her favourite reminiscences from being on The Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Staff, a corporation made up of UT college students and area people members with the purpose of sharing their ardour for lion dance with the remainder of Austin. Began in 2000, the group presently has 21 lively members. 

The crew now prepares to compete within the Conventional Lion Dance class of the USA Dragon and Lion Dance Federation nationwide championships from June 24–25 in Austin. The seven- to 10-minute competitors piece should observe a lion’s quest to attain one of many three aims frequent in conventional lion dance, together with choosing greens (采青), choosing wine (采酒青) or choosing mushroom — often called flower of immortality (采灵芝). 

Yashna Gongal, who joined the crew two years in the past after tagging alongside to a follow with a pal, mentioned the group welcomes contributors of all expertise ranges with open arms.

“The crew ambiance could be very pleasant,” structure senior Gongal mentioned. “You can begin as a newbie (or) you may have already got expertise. You possibly can at all times study from anybody that’s on the crew.”

Carried out for particular events equivalent to Lunar New 12 months, lion dance originated in China and symbolizes good luck and prosperity. A conventional Chinese language drum referred to as the tanggu represents the heartbeat of the lion and retains the tempo of the dance whereas the gong and cymbals mirror the lion’s ideas.

“I got here in not understanding what dragon lion dance was in any respect,” Gongal mentioned. “However as soon as I got here right here, I discovered what it’s like bringing life to this puppet and bringing an entire story to this lion or dragon.”

Head teacher Taran Champagne mentioned he goals to tighten the crew’s abilities earlier than the competitors.

“We give attention to making an attempt to make sure we’ve customary, however (for a) competitors, the extent is even greater,” Champagne mentioned. “You need to have all the things right down to a tee. What you’re doing is crafting a puzzle or a narrative that your lion goes to inform by the competitors.”

When teaching, Champagne mentioned he most enjoys watching his college students who be a part of the group with no expertise work towards proficiency and excellence within the artwork type.

“The purpose once you educate isn’t simply to have college students however finally to have future academics,” Champagne mentioned. “Ultimately, you need individuals to go on and share this artwork that’s been shared with you.”