The School of Dance presented classic works created by Ross Parkes, Lin Hwai-min, Lo Man-fei, Ming-Shen Ku and Howard Lark in its early summer program.It was an homage to the masters: the dances featured had all been staged previously at TNUA. It also marked the 40th anniversary of the university.

The dances gave students a chance to study and reinterpret the masters’ works, and to understand the uniqueness of different types of dance.

Assistant prof. Hui-Chen Tsai is the artistic director of the series of performances, with collaboration from many TNUA alumni and choreographers. Ross Parkes was one of those who founded the Department of Dance, and a pioneer in laying the foundation of Taiwan’s modern dance. Prof. Lin, the founding chairman of the Department of Dance, uses a lot of Peking Opera elements in “Milky Way,” which was featured in the program. The work by Lo Man-fei was created in 1999, with live percussion music and quick movements. Howard Lark’s dance was previously staged during his stay in Taiwan, and it involves elements of ballet and tango. Prof. Ku’s work was presented by graduate students – a work using a long table to symbolize a desolate island and create different dimensions.