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WUSHU
Dressed in bright traditional Chinese outfits, the Wushu performers engaged in mock battles using weapons, such as the jian, that created snaps and sounds which reached all four corners of the gym. Performers: Melissa Chin (9), Kelly Shi (9), Shenlum Tang (10), Christie Chong (11), Cynthia Jiang (11), Amanda Lo (11), Alex Wu (11), Darrel Ng (12)
CELLOS
This year Das Cellos, a quartet of cellists and a drummer, took on “Resistance,” originally performed by British rock band Muse. Led by Senior Calvin Leung, the group electrified the music by adding their own style and pizazz to the melody. Performers: Aimee Xu (9), Richard Liang (11), Vivian Dong (12), Allan Ko (12), Calvin Leung (12), Khanh Nguyen (12)
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BEATBOXING
Under the guidance of Seniors Kyle Lam, Steve Yung and Victor Viramontes, the beatboxers held a dynamic performance accompanied by Emerald Swei singing “Promises” by Nero. Performers: Liang Kuan Lee (9), Harrison Chu (10), Sagar Samantarai (10), Steven Yung (10), Aaron Ching (11), Gavin Poon (11), Emerald Swei (11), SungBin Yoon (11), Adrian Chen (12), Kyle Lam (12), Victor Viramontes (12)
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TAHITIAN
HIP HOP
The Hip Hop dancers performed to a medley of upbeat modern songs like Thrift Shop to which the dancers popped and swerved their bodies. Choreographed by Seniors Alex Credo, Tessa Shanley, and Jason Vu. Performers: Natalie Sin (9), Madeleine Fa jilan (10), Jessica Helder (10), Alexis Gaines (11), Melissa Huang (11), Kelsey Lam (11), Jacob Pingue (11), Joanna Wu (11), Alex Credo (12), Monica Liu (12), Tessa Shanley (12), Nichole Tan (12), Jason Vu (12)
The Tahitian dance, choreographed by Junior Megan Jose, dominated the stage once again at the assembly this year. A world-famous dance from Tahiti, Tahitian dance include gestures and motions that portray themes ranging from nature to the home to warfare to sailing. Performers: Jonathan Chen (11), Stephanie Chin (11), Marisa Harris (11), Cynthia Jiang (11), Megan Jose (11), Austin Lee (11), Hannah Lee (11), Charlie Lin (11), Kayla Santo (11), Hannah Shih (11), Lindsay Taylor (11), Eric Lam (12), Vincent Meng (12)
Friday, May 3, 2013
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JAZZ
The origins of Jazz trace their way back into American history, but on April 19, a group of six dancers lead by Seniors Hilary Yen and Jessica Lee brought it back to MSJ. Performers: Grace Dong (9), Veronica Zhang (11), Zongning Zhang (11), Jessica Lee (12), Monica Liu (12), Hilary Yen (12)
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CHORALE
MSJ students from Choir Teacher Jason Aucoin’s chamber chorale class took the stage to sing a Hawaiian song by the name of “Moloka’i Nui A Hina”. Performers: M.C. Mendonca (10), Gavin Poon (11), Emerald Swei (11), Joseph Yang (11), SungBin Yoon (11), Marie Andersen (12), Shivani Ariathurai (12), Lillian Choung (12), Eric Lam (12), Khanh Nguyen (12), Anthony Prickett (12), Marianna Sartori (12), Megan Sha (12), Victor Viramontes (12), Leena Yin (12)
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By Tingting Bi and Ishan Goyal Staff Writersn
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TINIKLING
Choreographed by Junior Kristina Wong, Tinikling dazzled the audience with its speedy and complicated footwork. This traditional dance of the Philippines requires two people who beat, slide, and tap bamboo sticks on the ground, while dancers step in between the poles. Performers: Bianca Batiancila (9), Annie Lee (10), Stephanie Lee (10), Samantha Lin (10), Adam Schaps (10), Andrew Xu (10), Kayla Santo (11), Lindsay Taylor (11), Destin Trang (11), Brandon Trang (11), Kristina Wong (11), Brian Chen (12), Alex Credo (12), Waylan Khuu (12), Sophia Law (12), Cyrus Lin (12), Milad Moghimi (12), Nicholi Reece (12), Marianna Sartori (12), Michelle Wong (12)
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SENIOR BHANGRA
Lead by Seniors Neha Nayak and Anshi Saxena, over 200 seniors took the stage to perform the annual senior bhangra. Dressed in colorful salwars and other traditional Indian clothing, these dancers paired up and amazed the crowd with their energy and coordination. Teachers and faculty members rushed in to join the students and lastly a huge swarm of seniors rushed in wearing their custom bhangra shirts to join the dance. The performance ended with the entire group chanting “Hoo Hah you wish you were a senior!”
12 13 BALLET
The Ballet performance was a refreshing break from the more intense, high tempo dances. Decked out in black dresses with a dash of pink, the dancers from Rachel’s Ballet displayed grace with light footsteps and elegant movements. Peformers: Samantha Lin (10), Kathy Liu (10), Sarah Liu (11), Sara Lo (11), Kathy Chang (12)
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BOLLYWOOD
TAEKWONDO
Nine students exemplified their mastery of the ancient Korean art of Taekwondo in a stunning performance choreographed by Junior Neilan Mehta. Performers: Charles Han (9), Christopher Kwok (9), Daniel Chiao (10), Bryant Chin (10), Tej Kalankuntla (11), Andy Lai (11), Neilan Mehta (11), Megan Lee (12), Jacob Pingue (11)
CHINESE FAN DANCE
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Originating as ceremonial rituals, Chinese Fan Dances have evolved to now embody beauty, skill, and grace. Fan dancing can be used for storytelling, and the costumes play an essential role in revealing the tale told. Choreographed by Senior Yvette Wu. Performers: Catherine Hou (10), Cecilia Leng (11), Joyce Qiao (11), Merissa Chen (12), Clare Hsu (12), Jade Shi (12), Sherry Xiao (12), Yvette Wu (12)
Choreographed by Senior Sonam Mokha, this year’s Bollywood dance was a visual and aesthetic delight. Performers: Rashi Ambashta (9), Tanvi Ra ja (9), Aashna Shah (9), Mansi Chopra (10), Mohan Saxena (10), Satwik Bebortha (11), Jonasan Chen (11), Priya Khoot (11), Anvitha Pillati (11), Yoshita Suthar (11), Matt Dynin (12), Melody Fang (12), Eamon Jahani (12), Kimaya Karnawat (12), Riya Kulkarni (12), CJ Lemler (12), Michael Lindsay (12), Nathaniel Liu (12), Vishak Menon (12), Sonam Mokha (12), Mahima Narayan (12), Neha Nayak (12), Mili Parikh (12), Mizan Rahmna (12), Tanya Ra ja (12), Alekya Ra janala (12), Mark Rupert (12) Surbir Sandhu (12), Anshi Saxena (12), Ryan Sha (12), Swara j Sharma (12), Annie Shi (12), Neha Verma (12), Inae Yi (12), Walter Yu (12)
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KUNG FU
Another highlight of the assembly, Psychology Teacher Karl Hui’s Kung Fu performance has amazed the audience in the past few years, with this year proving to be no exception. As his wrists twirled through the air, the sword in his hand whirled around his head in a series of twist and spins. Kung Fu, whose origin can be traced thousands of years back to China, is an art form that strengthens the body and the mind.
11 14 photos by staff writers anita alem and nina krishnan, and graphics editor angie wang, dreamstime.com