Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

KINGSTON — Colorful ethnic attire. Traditional instruments. Heartfelt song.

Those were just some of the things students at Good Shepherd Academy experienced Monday during a presentation by “Colorful China.”

The 15-member group put on a show that featured song, dance and art from several of China’s 56 ethnic groups.

Whether it was nine women dancing with elaborate fans or a single woman strumming on Chinese zithers as another performer drew calligraphy, the performers saw the show as a way to relate to the students.

“The art form is the most direct way to catch the people and understand each other,” said Wei Ronghui through interpreter Tibin Zhang. Ronghui is the deputy curator for the China National Museum of Ethnology and the director of “Colorful China.”

“I strongly believe they (students) will have a nice memory,” Ronghui said.

Raphael Micca, music teacher at Good Shepherd Academy, was instrumental in bringing the group to the school.

Micca explained the school worked with World Artists Experiences last year to bring in a boys’ choir from Czechoslovakia to perform.

Micca was contacted by the organization again over the summer and when asked if he would be interested in bringing “Colorful China” to perform, he said “absolutely.”

“We were very excited to make this happen again in Kingston,” he said.

Good Shepherd Academy, Wyoming Seminary, Slovak Heritage Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania and St. Ignatius Church jointly presented the event.

To greet the performers, students stood on the front steps of the school, singing songs and waving Chinese and American flags.

Even during the performance, students continued to wave Chinese and American flags during applause.

The students also prepared a small gift for the performers.

“We actually gave them just a little bag with four quarters,” Micca said. “They’re going to four places in the United States. They’re going to Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C., so we gave them each a state quarter from each of the places.”

Micca added the building was filled with anticipation for the event and called the welcoming, in particular, a “beautiful moment.”

Ronghui and the performers were touched by the gesture.

“We are all moved,” she said. “We are so glad.”

Universal acceptance

Micca hoped students would take away a greater appreciation for other cultures from the performance, as well as see firsthand what it means to be hospitable and loving of others.

“Thinking globally is kind of what we do,” he said. “I think it’s a wonderful thing to practice what we preach, and extend our love and hospitality to another culture and to help our students appreciate the world around them and other groups of people.”

Eighth-graders Joe Leary, 14, and Fiona Neville, 13, each liked the performance.

“I think it was very interesting seeing a different country come to our school and share their culture with is,” Leary said. “I think it was really cool.”

Neville called the experience a “great” one that enabled students to get a glimpse of another culture.

Betty McGinnis, president of World Artists Experiences, is traveling with the Colorful China group. She hope the experience would not only be educational for the students, but one that hits home on a more personal level.

“I hope that they can also have a meaningful way of being together as human beings, as people to people, and build some friendships, really,” she said.

Building a bridge

The performance at Good Shepherd Academy was the group’s first stop on Monday.

“Colorful China” later performed at the Kirby Center for Creative Arts on the campus of Wyoming Seminary Upper School.

Micca said the performers were staying with host families overnight, some of which included families of students.

Ronghui said the group has been “moved” by the warmth and hospitality of the host families, as well as by the audiences that have seen their show.

Most importantly, she said she felt “friendship and sincerity” from the audience, and said the performances serve as a way to build a bridge between two cultures.

“Through the contact with the people, I know that there is more commonality than difference,” Ronghui said.

Qin Binggeng of ‘Colorful China’ demonstrates calligraphy at Good Shepherd Academy.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_TTL100615China1.jpg.optimal.jpgQin Binggeng of ‘Colorful China’ demonstrates calligraphy at Good Shepherd Academy. Aimee Dilger | Times leader

Children at Good Shepherd Academy in Kingston clap for the performance by ‘Colorful China.’
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_TTL100615China2.jpg.optimal.jpgChildren at Good Shepherd Academy in Kingston clap for the performance by ‘Colorful China.’ Aimee Dilger | Times leader

Members of ‘Colorful China; wave goodbye to students at Good Shepherd Academy after performing on Monday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_TTL100615China3.jpg.optimal.jpgMembers of ‘Colorful China; wave goodbye to students at Good Shepherd Academy after performing on Monday. Aimee Dilger | Times leader

Children at Good Shepherd Academy in Kingston watch a performance by ‘Colorful China.’
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_TTL100615China4.jpg.optimal.jpgChildren at Good Shepherd Academy in Kingston watch a performance by ‘Colorful China.’ Aimee Dilger | Times leader

Members of ‘Colorful China’ dance at Good Shepherd Academy on Monday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_TTL100615China5.jpg.optimal.jpgMembers of ‘Colorful China’ dance at Good Shepherd Academy on Monday. Aimee Dilger | Times leader

By Travis Kellar

[email protected]

Reach Travis Kellar at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @TLNews