Dancing to the tune of creativity

The tables are turned in a street dance performance when 14 arrogant self-entitled bullies disdainfully toy with a leopard as if it were their plaything.

The narrative takes a dramatic twist when the wild spirit of the leopard is stirred awake. Capitalizing on the moment, the leopard breaks free from its confinement, reversing the roles and making prey of its former captors, who are, unsurprisingly, not as arrogant as before.

The performers, all from Password, a dance crew at the Communication University of China, skillfully utilize stage choreography, dynamic formations and layered musical elements to propel the story through its twists and turns.

The dance piece recently won a golden prize in the Beijing station of the Nike National University Street Dance Competition.

The event is the first national competition held by the sportswear giant for university street dance enthusiasts, aimed at offering students and dance communities a platform for self-expression and an opportunity to showcase their creativity.

"Through this piece, we seek to illustrate the contrasting and colliding forces of human and animal instincts," says Pan Zhixi, a junior student from the Communication University of China, who portrayed the leopard in the dance performance.

"It underscores the sorrowful consequences that arise when greed becomes a prevailing trait."

More than 6,000 dancers representing 115 university dance clubs nationwide took part in the event, where nearly 70 elite dancers were also invited to conduct master classes for all participants.

Of all the dance crews, Password stands out for its proficiency in choreographing group dance performances that narrate compelling stories and delivering emotionally charged and intricately expressive acts onstage. Their originally choreographed pieces have frequently earned acclaim in street dance competitions among Beijing's university dance clubs.

"Everyone in our club is adept at expressing emotions and feelings," says Pan, who is also the leader of Password.

"We are generous in offering praise and encouragement to all. And we spend a great amount of time together, fostering a strong bond and understanding in our dance routines. This deep connection and emotional foundation plays a crucial role when creating our works," she says.

This was the first time that Pan had led the creation of an original dance piece.

"Initially, we spent a lot of time exploring different themes and music, which was the most challenging period, and I remember we were all on the verge of a collective breakdown," she recalls.

As the team leader, the pressure was immense.

"I had to regulate my own emotions while soothing the emotions of other team members. Through this experience, I feel that both my choreography skills and leadership have improved," she says.

Stylists have been invited to create unique street dance outfits for the competition's finalists. Additionally, Pan was also given the opportunity to model in a promotional video for the sportswear brand's newly released collections in Shanghai.

She has a keen interest in the fashion industry and plans to apply for a postgraduate program in fashion management at a university in the United Kingdom.

"This competition experience offered me a glimpse into the fashion industry, reinforcing my determination to succeed in my future career path," she adds.

As for what street dance has brought into their lives, "friendship "is undoubtedly among the leading answers for these college students.

This is exemplified by Pan, who crossed paths and forged a friendship with Zeng Yige, a doctoral student in life sciences and a street dance enthusiast at Tsinghua University.

As the deputy director of the DK5 dance club at Tsinghua University, Zeng is responsible for organizing the crew's daily activities and coordinating exchange events with dance clubs from other universities.

"Consequently, I have good friends from Peking University, Communication University of China, Beijing Sport University and Beijing Institute of Technology with whom I frequently hang out," she explains.

In the school of medicine, where research pressures loom large, Zeng somehow managed to carve out around two hours every day for her true passion — street dance.

She will arrive at the laboratory by 9 am, immerse herself in her study and conducting experiments until 10 pm. Then, she will slip out of her white lab coat and, in the laboratory restroom, she undergoes a metamorphosis from a diligent researcher into a streetwise dancer, with bold eyeliner and vibrant eye shadow applied, and emerges clad in a fashionable, oversized outfit. It's time to get her groove on as the beats of hip-hop music reverberate in the university's dance studio.

"In a campus environment as academically intense as Tsinghua's, where everyone is engrossed in their studies, one might wonder why anyone would persist in dancing," Zeng explains. "Amid the rigor of learning, why take on an additional demanding pursuit? For me, it's because dancing brings me back to my roots and the essence of who I wanted to be — someone cool, good-looking, expressive, and capable of radiating energy and positivity to others.

"If I couldn't dance, I couldn't continue with my research. In my life on campus, both research and dance are indispensable," she emphasizes.

According to Zeng, she completed her undergraduate studies at Wuhan University, where her focus was primarily on learning how to become a dance performer capable of delivering polished routines, developing her body and enhancing her expressiveness through dance.

While in Tsinghua University, under the influence of a veteran dancer within the DK5 crew, Zeng began delving into freestyle and deepening her understanding of music.

"Now, I want to gradually explore and develop my own style," she says.

Her favorite dance genre is Afro, characterized by its energetic rhythms and dynamic movements.

"As an outgoing person, this dance style resonates with me. Every time I dance, I envision myself as a cheetah on the African savannah."

Michelle Yau Sin-yan from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University is also among the contestants.

This is Yau's first time in Beijing and competing in a national-level street dance competition. Her club has made thorough preparations for the competition and started practicing diligently as far back as September.

"It's a great chance for us to learn from different dancers coming from different places," says Yau. "We hope to showcase a powerful, groovy and energetic piece that shows our potential and diversity.

"Normally, we are very busy with academics and part-time work. The competition has brought us together for a longer time," she adds. "Street dance is a part of my life, and I've learned a lot from it."

Yan Bingjie contributed to this story.