EDUCATION: KRISTIN SCHOOL
K-Pop with Tiffany.
Kristin Alumni and K-Pop Tutor Rina Chae.
K-Pop classes in action.
K-Pop Culture Thriving at Kristin The introduction of K-Pop dance classes to its co-curricular offering has been an unparalleled success for the Kristin Dance Department this year. Influencing the popularity of this unique style of dance was welcoming global K-Pop superstar and Kristin Alumni from the class of 2001 Rina Chae to the teaching programme. Rina is an internationally-renowned dancer and choreographer and the New Zealand queen of K-Pop. She has worked and danced all over the globe with some of the world’s hottest music artists including Beyoncé and Justin Bieber, and choreographed for K-Pop greats BoA, Stephanie Kim, SF9 and Monsta X. She runs En Beat Dance Academy on the North Shore, stars in TVNZ’s K-Pop Academy, and leads key nationwide events and festivals for K-Pop. The phenomenal demand for K-Pop dance lessons at Kristin meant that three separate classes were established. With over 50 students from Years 9 to 13 vying for a place, the auditions were intense and Rina had her work cut out to define just two performance crews. The purpose of these crews is to train up for performances and competitions throughout the year - Kristin’s celebrated International Peace Night (IPN) and the whole-school dance showcase Dance in the Dove being two key events to prepare for. The third class is open level, focused on developing the fundamentals of K-Pop, and growing confidence in performance and expression. Joining Rina on her teaching team is fellow Kristin Alumni Tiffany
Yeung from the class of 2018. Rounding out the accomplished tutors is Jeandre (JD) du Plooy, another top dancer of Rina’s, trained in K-Pop, Waacking and Groove Foundations. JD leads ELIT-IS, one of En Beat’s elite K-Pop groups who recently competed as finalists in the Auckland Arts Festival’s ‘K-Pop Party’. He is teaching the open-level class and has thoroughly enjoyed working with Kristin students, remarking: “It’s so awesome to see younger generations embracing K-Pop and Dance. Seeing how far K-Pop has come truly blows my mind and I’m so grateful I get to be a part of this wholesome community and teach such great students!” Together, Rina, Tiffany and JD run a tight ship each week. All students meet in the Dance Studio for a group warm-up before dispersing into their separate training areas for drills in choreography, technique, styling and performance. In what is fast becoming a highlight of the week, the classes regroup for a showing of each other’s work. The enormous support and encouragement students display towards their peers during this showing is quite special, with the Dance Studio filled with cheers and calls of genuine awe and appreciation. This unique K-Pop culture has not gone unnoticed by students, with Year 10 dancer Nicole Wong stating, “K-Pop class has been a thrilling opportunity for me to explore and appreciate this genre. The atmosphere is always so encouraging and fun to be in - I’m always looking forward to the next session! With a great dance group and supportive tutors, K-Pop at Kristin has been an exceptionally fulfilling experience.”
The K-Pop culture at Kristin has developed in such a short time and is truly incredible to witness. The students cheer each other on, and wholeheartedly support each and every performer, regardless of year level, dance experience or degree of confidence. I’m so proud of what we’re creating here and cannot wait to see these amazing young people light up the stage later this term. Teresa Lauago, K-Pop Manager and Curriculum Leader of Dance 74
Issue 120 - June 2021 www.channelmag.co.nz
