By 
By Angela Lui｜reporting and photography
MARKHAM — The Alumni Performing Arts Troupe celebrated its fifth anniversary at Flato Markham Theatre on the afternoon of Oct. 10, presenting a vibrant showcase of music, dance and theatre under the theme “Time Flows Like Melody, Life Fills With Gratitude.”
The program featured 27 performances over more than three hours, spanning choral music, dance, poetry recitation and instrumental performances. The celebration also spotlighted the original musical The Light of Harmony and the choir’s silver-medal achievement at the 14th World Choir Games in Sweden earlier this year.
The concert opened with a choral performance. Throughout the afternoon, vocalists took the stage in men’s quartets, small ensembles, mixed-voice choruses and male-female duets. Dance selections ranged from classical Chinese and Yi ethnic dance to fan dance, contemporary dance, partner dance, Korean long-drum dance and Latin dance.
Toronto pipa musician Guo Ruiping performed Memories of Jiangnan, while Tianjin’s Wang Peizhong presented Fighting a Tiger with Martial Arts, a traditional rhythmic storytelling piece. The Canadian Recitation Art Troupe recited China Under the Moonlight, and the alumni drum troupe added a festive flourish with Happy Days.
A highlight of the afternoon was The Light of Harmony, an original musical blending song, dialogue and dramatic performance. Wang Yanqiao, 88, the troupe’s lifetime conductor, helped create the production and accompanied the performers on piano. A distinguished musician and conductor, Wang contributed to the creation of the ballet The Red Detachment of Women before settling in Canada. He devoted considerable time and effort to bringing the anniversary production to the stage.
Guest ensembles also joined the celebration. The Ruby Art Association performed Ode to the Great River, while the Red Maple Sunset Glow Cultural Association Art Troupe presented The Painted Dan. Both dance performances drew warm applause.
For the finale, the troupe’s performers and guest ensembles gathered onstage to sing The Same Song, bringing the fifth-anniversary celebration to a joyful close.
