Longtime readers of the Middle School Update know how much I enjoy the CAIS Lion Dance tradition. A feature of Mass Greeting and Graduation, it was wonderful to see the dancers incorporated into the Grand Opening for our new campus.
Chinese Program Director Cindy Chiang, Grade 4 – 8 Music Teacher Cindy Huang, and former Movement Teacher Nia Womack-Freeman put together an “All-Star” student lion dance team to perform at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. With help from Leung’s White Crane Dragon and Lion Dance Association, the students participated in a blessing of the lions, including the Eye Dotting Ceremony performed by school founder Carol Ruth Silver, Head of School Jeff Bissell, and Board Chair Peter Shiau. They dotted the eyes and other parts of the lions, letting the lions come to life, followed by the students using the lions in a performance to bring prosperity to the campus and the school. A special shout out to dancers and drummers Aaron G. ’26, Derek S. ’26, Riley M. ’26, Tyler W. ’26, Andrew H. ’26, Hugo C. ’26, Ben H. ’26, Jax O. ’25, Anna W. ’25, Corrine H. ’25, Andrew H. ’25, and Sasha S. ’25 who rehearsed during their own time during the school day and even came in on weekends to practice!
