Sometimes Ca Dao's group will include young children.

Quyen's passion for dance began very early. Growing up in a family where both parents were teachers, she was encouraged to pursue a structured education in social sciences and participated in provincial and national-level competitions for gifted students. But alongside that was her love for the art of dance—a love that was quiet and unassuming, yet deep enough to accompany her throughout her journey to adulthood.

"My parents used to say, 'If you have a talent for both, then try to fully embrace both roles,'" she confided. And she chose not to give up on anything, but to persevere in building both paths: teaching and dancing. It wasn't an easy choice, but it stemmed from self-understanding and belief in her passion.

Eleven years ago, the Ca Dao Dance Troupe was founded at a time when the art of dance in Hue didn't have many performance opportunities. In the early days, pressure came from all sides: time, finances, securing shows to maintain operations and ensure income for the members. For Ms. Quyen, running a dance troupe wasn't just about artistic creation, but also about organizing, managing, and maintaining trust.

"Dance is the melody of the body, and that melody always begins from the heart," this is both Ms. Quyen's favorite quote and the guiding principle for Ca Dao's journey. For her, dance is not simply a profession, but a life, a place where she can be most authentically expressive of her emotions, and freely explore different cultural layers through each work.

Since 2021, Ca Dao has operated as a dance troupe under Hoang Ca Dao Event and Performance Company Limited. After about four years of building its reputation, Ca Dao is now entering a phase of establishing its position, focusing on political and artistic programs, event performances, and performances at wedding venues in Hue.

As the head of a dance troupe and a lecturer in the Department of Political Theory, Quyen has dedicated nearly 20 years to both roles. She believes that balance comes from experience and a scientific approach to scheduling. During the day, she teaches in the classroom and prepares lesson plans; at night, she practices in the studio with lights and music. In addition to her teaching sessions, she dedicates four evenings a week to her dance troupe.

In recent shows, she often takes on multiple roles simultaneously: scriptwriter, director, and choreographer. Before each rehearsal, everything is meticulously planned – from the script and music to the order of practice. “The members of Ca Dao are quite professional; as soon as I give them the ideas and movements, they quickly grasp the rhythm,” she shared.

Currently, Ca Dao has about 25 members, mostly students, with an average age of 20-30. What's most valuable is their strong sense of belonging. Ca Dao is not just a dance troupe, but a "second home" for young people. It's a place of discipline, love, and mutual support between old and new members. Many members, after leaving Hue for work, still return to support Ca Dao, as a way of preserving a part of their youth.

Years in the profession have left teacher Hoang Quyen with many memories, some beautiful, some marked by setbacks, but these moments have all motivated her to continue developing herself. In the future, Ca Dao aims to further develop in the field of political and event-based art in Hue, while also expanding its stable performance activities at wedding venues – ensuring the livelihood of the dance troupe while maintaining a creative space.

“What I want to spread is the beauty of dance, its cultural value, and the positive energy of its radiance. Dance is how we write the poem of our lives through space and rhythm. Don't stop when you're tired; only stop when you've completed your own piece of music,” Hoàng Quyên shared simply.

Text and photos: Phuoc Chau

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/nhung-vu-dieu-ben-bi-161759.html