Dancing Across Decades
According to Carol Lee, a Ballet historian, in her book of Ballet in Western Culture: A history of its Origins and evolution, the traditions of Narrative dance evolved in China, India, Indonesia and Ancient Greece.
That’s right! The evolution of dance was taking place in our own backyard, Indonesia. There is no doubt, that Indonesia is a country rich with culture with more than 300 ethnic groups. Not to mention that each of this ethnic group has its own traditional dancing as part of art expression.
However, the most notable change in the life of Indonesia over the past decades has been the introduction of high-tech technology. Young generations nowadays would enjoy more watching movie in front of high resolution screen, equipped with surround stereo in cinemas, rather than watching classical opera, wayang performance, music concert or dance performance. The appreciation of art has slowly shifted to the performance and capability of highly sophisticated digital technology, rather than the quality of art presented itself. For example more people would enjoy the use of the newest digital camera than worrying about mastering the technique and learning the artistic way of taking good picture. Meanwhile, sedentary lifestyle which related to health problem, also come as the latest consequence from modernization.
Depart from these realities, Maranatha ballet stands on its motto: Dancing Across Decades. It doesn’t mean that our school is against any sort of modernization, but it shows that we would still follow the modernization while maintaining its traditional appreciation on dancing technique, professional education and art expression of classical Ballet for decades.
Thus our first mission is to introduce young generation in Semarang and Central Java region to dance as part of art expression. For Four decades now Maranatha ballet school has equipped thousands local and some International students with the art of dancing, and art appreciation. Classical ballet dancing is not only elegant, but it has been basic to many other form of stage dancing, including ballet Jazz and tap dancing. Those who enjoy pop and trend music rather than classical music are now enjoying taking ballet Jazz which is also available in our school.
Secondly, because dancing is also part of exercise and sport, we teach our students to involve movement and sport in their daily living. Instead of embracing the sedentary lifestyle sitting for hours in front of our computers, we teach student to be part of a healthy nation start from the earlier age.
Thirdly, is often suggested that Ballet in Indonesia is easily associated to the upper-class group. However, Maranatha Ballet makes it possible that dancing is available to all students. We have also given scholarship to those who excel and talented in school. Ballet dancing, as the matter of fact, is no different to other extra curriculum class available, and similar as any other type of art such as painting, learning music and piano.
Ballet was previously misunderstood as part of western culture, but Maranatha have brought up famous Javanese folk story such as Roro Jonggrang, Joko Tarub in Ballet performances. Thus, everyone could enjoy the dancing language through their own stories.
Finally our vision is to nurture young talent so that every provision is made for the best. To pass the professional dance education to the next generation that honors the vision of the artistic standards and contribute to the fulfillment of the cultural needs of Semarang community and central Java region, which is as accessible to as wide audience as possible.