Support GG’s Master: Be a Cultural Dance Teacher

Dear you, who can make a different in my life:

Good day. I am a cultural dances teacher. I am writing this letter to bring my thoughts for you, hoping that you would like to financially support my Master’s Degree at Beijing Dance Academy, major in Chinese Folk Dance Education.

Why I started this

I intend to cover my accommodation fee in Beijing City as I only received partial scholarship for my master’s program. This support would aid me a lot from many aspects. Your help will make a change in my life and ensure my study can be continued under the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.

About me

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jee Teng (GG). I am a graduate from The National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage Malaysia (ASWARA), major in Dance and also a Bachelor’s Degree holder in Education, which is Teaching English as Second Language (TESL) from The National University of Malaysia (UKM). I am now a cultural dances tutor in ASWARA, cultural dances teacher in several studios as well as a freelance dance artist and collaborator for arts project based in Kuala Lumpur currently.

I have a beautiful wonderment - have you ever been in love? I have faith that you do. I am too. Dance is neither only what I am in love with nor just my passion. It is my language where my soul lies in. In my realization, somehow I feel dance chose me, in this life. This flame will be with me all my life and I wish someday I will pass this spirit to younger generation.

For it, it gave me such courage to write you this letter. I am holding my mere faith and hope that this will raise your eyes for one count of moment to read my story.

I come from a small village, called as Triang in Pahang state in Malaysia. There were no dance-related facilities in my village back then. The only chance that I could connect to dance was during the annual occasion - Children Sports Day (Hari Sukan Kanak-Kanak), holding hands and forming a circle (I did not dance, I was only the alternate). Until I was 14, my secondary school set up a Dance Club. I served with my heart as the club president until I completed Malaysian Higher School Certificate (STPM).

I then enrolled into The National University of Malaysia (UKM), completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Teaching English as Second Language). I was active in cultural dance performances both national and international. Luck was upon me, I was awarded Arts Award in Dance (Anugerah Seni Tari) and Overall Best Student Award (Anugerah Mahasiswi UKM). Since then I believe that I could merge education and dance together, as it does help me to realize the values that I have ever learned in dance could be implemented in nurturing younger generation academically and non-academically.

From my experience, arts leave impacts when ones are growing up. Indirectly, it teaches an individual to be patience, to realize one's values, to have empathy, to understand humanity, to not to give up, to be responsible, to have determination and many more. In my professional area, which is cultural dances, I hope I am able to educate younger generation to understand better and realize the uniqueness of living in the diverse society through dancing. From spending time over and over again in the studio or joined-productions, talking and sharing knowledge with people who come from different places or races, having the same goal, sharing the stage and experience, appreciating and embracing ones' imperfections, they will somehow learn to know and respect each other's differences, be it at home, be it at school, be it at workplace and anywhere they go. This harmonious will make the society, the country as well as our earth a peaceful and wonderful place.

To be able to teach dance, I enrolled into Diploma in Dance under Faculty of Dance in The National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage Malaysia (ASWARA) for it provides resourceful of cultural dances knowledge. The academy's mission holds a place in my heart where it says: We Move Forward along with Our Tradition. I remembered it was a long discussion with family. They agreed my decision to pursue this path as long as I paid my study fee on my own. I am thankful that I graduated with Rector’s Special Award in year 2019.

After I graduated, I started doing what I have promised. Under the circumstances of COVID-19 pandemic, I am recruited as dance tutor in Faculty of Dance in ASWARA. I am teaching in several dance studios around Kuala Lumpur. I am also a dance teacher in Malaysian Dance Centre managed by ASK Dance Company, WuXu Dance Troupe, Tunas Tari and Tunku Bainun Children Creative Centre (Pusat Kreatif Kanak-Kanak Tunku Bainun).

At this time being, I was surrounded by a lot of professional mentors in Dance Industry. I was inspired to further study in order to have broader knowledge and have better ability to contribute my energy for Arts (Dance) Industry. I then sent out Master’s Degree applications, and I finally received feedback.

On June 2021, I was accepted into Chinese Folk Dance Master in Education Program in Beijing Dance Academy with full scholarship by Chinese Government. I was overwhelmed with this news. Soon, I was weighed down by the fact that this scholarship does not cover my accommodation in Beijing City. The expenses on accommodation occupies a big portion in my tight budget. Added up my salary working under this pandemic, I could not afford this journey. Both parents are at their 60 years old this year.

I am currently looking around for financial aids to cope with the major expenses. I keep working everyday now to make sure I have enough money to sustain my life in China. I am looking for ways. Joining GoGetFunding is one of my initiatives. I would not know how far this message will go. I could only stay hopeful. If I were to receive your responses or donation, I would like to bring to your knowledge that I would definitely use my knowledge to reach out and nurture younger generation. I will contribute my energy and love for the development of Arts Industry like I always do, now and in future, as this is the path that I choose.

I would be very grateful for the opportunity to further my study and grow with your donations. Any amount is very much appreciated. With your help, I would not have to worry about my accommodation and be able to excel as a student, and finally become a qualified cultural dances teacher.

Thank you very much for reading my story.

Jee Teng (GG)