Blue Wave Dance Group
Find passion through every dance step
“Being a dancer is not just about dancing. It is a journey of hard work, passion and sometimes silent sacrifices that few people see” - That is the sharing of Dang Duong Phat, a young dancer from Long An , who once turned away from the military path to pursue his passion.
In 2015, when he was still a 12th grader, Mr. Phat tried his hand at the role of collaborator at the Long An Province Cultural and Art Center . Without much expectation, without planning too far ahead, but as a career destiny, he was increasingly attracted to the stage lights and vibrant melodies.
“I still remember that I started collaborating in April 2015 and in September of the same year, I performed at the “Singing and dating of nine rivers” festival in Ca Mau province. At that time, I was very worried because I was a student, but I was still determined to participate. After that time, I felt that I really loved the stage and started to be more serious about my career as a dancer,” Mr. Phat recalled.
And since that milestone, Mr. Phat's artistic journey has expanded. In 2016, he continued to make his mark at the "Folk Songs of the Three Regions" Festival and regularly participated in many competitions from provincial, regional to national levels. His perseverance and spirit of continuous learning have brought him far in the field that he used to "participate in as a trend".
Unlike many young people who face prejudice when pursuing art, Phat is fortunate to receive absolute support from his family. Phat shared: “My family not only did not forbid me but also supported me strongly. My mother helped me wash my costumes, and at home there was a whole warehouse of clothes for the group to perform.”
In 2022, Mr. Phat was officially recruited into the provincial Cultural and Arts Center, started to create professional performances and became the artistic core of the unit. For him, a degree does not reflect professionalism, but the professionalism of a dancer comes from the skills, spirit and working attitude of that person.
Not only does the profession of dancer have its ups and downs, it also has its downsides. When he came to Ho Chi Minh City to both study and work, Mr. Phat began to see more clearly the negative aspects of the profession, from unhealthy competition to sensitive issues about money, working conditions, and remuneration.
Over 1 year old, the Green Wave Dance Group was founded by Mr. Phat, gathering young people who love art, mostly students or business people. The name “Green Wave” means youth is always full of energy, freshness and desire to go far. However, financial difficulties are still an unavoidable reality. With an average income of 3-4 million VND/month, many young dancers are forced to do other jobs to maintain their lives.
Mr. Phat said: "Part of the reason is also due to the situation of "call actors", just need to call and they can perform, not caring about quality, causing the market price level to be pushed down".
When asked what the biggest challenge is for a dancer, Mr. Phat does not hesitate to answer that it is health. Too much movement without proper technique can easily lead to injury, and pain and fatigue are almost daily occurrences. In addition, practicing difficult movements that require high physical and mental strength is also a big barrier for those new to the profession.
The leap of youth and long-lasting aspirations
Many young people come to dance from impromptu performances at school, but not everyone can keep that love long enough to turn it into a serious path. For Truong Vo Dang Khoa (born in 2005, currently a student majoring in English Language, Van Hien University, Ho Chi Minh City), it was a chance encounter that led Khoa to the stage, from which his passion grew day by day.
“When I was in 10th grade at Le Quy Don High School (Tan An City), Phat came to the school to choreograph a dance performance for the students. I participated in that performance and loved it from the first time I stood on stage. Later, I learned the dance moves online and then officially joined the dance troupe with Phat,” Khoa recalled.
Without any training, Khoa's first difficulty was his physical condition. His body was not naturally flexible, so each stretching session was a battle with his own limits. Sometimes it was very painful, sometimes he almost got injured, but Khoa did not give up. He knew that to go further in this profession, he had to work many times harder than others.
The first time he performed at a provincial level program, on a big stage in Tan Tru district when he was a 12th grade student, was an unforgettable milestone for Khoa. Khoa shared: “At that time, I stood in the center, very nervous because there were many people looking at me. I tried my best to perform well, completed the performance well and then could not control my emotions, I burst into tears of happiness”.
Initially, Khoa’s family did not support Khoa’s pursuit of a career as a dancer, but by balancing his studies and dancing, Khoa gradually convinced his parents. Khoa said: “I think my family, although they did not say it, tacitly accepted my choice. And I appreciate that.”
Currently, although still a student, Khoa participates in about 10 shows per month on average, earning about 4 million VND. During the months off from school, this number can double. Although not enough to stabilize his life in the long term, for Khoa, it is the motivation to continue moving forward. After graduating from university, Khoa plans to study intermediate dance to receive formal training with the desire to stick with the artistic path for a long time and more professionally.
Although the road ahead is full of challenges, with burning passion, perseverance and a desire to reach far, dancers continue to write their artistic stories every day with dance steps that carry their hearts./.
Khanh Duy
Source: https://baolongan.vn/nhung-nguoi-ke-chuyen-bang-co-the-a194109.html
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