Introduction

Rooted in tradition and raised by dreams, the 2025 Art Festival of the Hongkou Campus drew to a splendid close under the gentle winter sun on December 19. Under the theme “Timeless Echoes, Radiant Dreams,” the festival presented a spectacular feast for the eyes and ears through 23 meticulously curated performances. Each participant, under the spotlight, witnessed the power of heritage, courage, and the promise of tomorrow.

I. Grand Opening: Where Timeless Echoes Meet Radiant Dreams

The festival commenced with an enthusiastic opening address by the six hosts, setting the stage for a journey through four distinct chapters. Joyful Rhythms opened with vibrant energy, as children ignited the stage with spirited singing and dancing, instantly captivating the audience. Oriental Charm immersed viewers in the beauty of traditional culture, from classical dance to cross-talk performances, painting a rich tapestry of Eastern aesthetics. Winter Fantasia wove a dreamlike holiday atmosphere, blending instrumental music and dance into an enchanting winter tale. Starry Horizons, the final chapter, conveyed themes of growth and aspiration through moving performances, filling the stage with warmth and hope.

II. Behind the Scenes: From Rehearsal Rooms to the Spotlight

The success of the Art Festival was built upon months of dedicated preparation. From initial auditions and selections to careful rehearsals and final stage coordination, every step reflected the collaborative effort of students, teachers, parents, and staff.

“Collaboration” emerged as the heart of this artistic endeavor—students practiced diligently, teachers guided patiently, parents offered quiet support, and staff ensured smooth operations. Together, they performed like a harmonious orchestra, creating a heartwarming “collective masterpiece.”

Beyond applause, the children gained invaluable experiences: harmonizing in choir, coordinating formations in dance, expressing emotions through dialogue, and mastering rhythm in instrumental performances. Each polished detail became a cherished milestone in their journey of growth.

III. Festival Highlights: Four Chapters, One Story—A Dialogue Across Time

Chapter 1: Joyful Rhythms

The first chapter burst onto the stage with youthful vitality, infusing the entire festival with vibrant energy. Children displayed their talents through diverse and dynamic performances.

Class 1-1 and Class 2-1 choirs performed Santa Claus Is Coming to Town and Can You Feel the Love Tonight, filling the air with festive warmth. Boundary-Breaking Crew Dance Club electrified the stage with Pop! Pop! Power!, showcasing precise and energetic Popping moves.

Class 1-2 and Class 2-2 delighted the audience with playful dances BANANA CHACHA and True Love, radiating pure joy and innocence. The VIV group from Class 3-2 presented We Are Different, But We Are Together, a creative performance blending Huangmei opera, Latin dance, choral singing, and rhythmic gymnastics. Through this multicultural collaboration, the students beautifully illustrated themes of inclusion and unity, demonstrating art’s power to transcend cultural boundaries and connect hearts.

Chapter 2: Oriental Charm

The second chapter embarked on a journey through time, blending cultural heritage with artistic innovation.

Class 3-1’s choir performance of Big Fish captivated the audience with ethereal vocals, showcasing the timeless elegance of Chinese-style music. Justin and Ian Du from Class 3-2 delivered a humorous and rhythmic cross-talk performance Fresh Talk to the Beat, earning laughter and applause while highlighting the charm of traditional oral arts. Ten students from Class 2-2 presented the play The Ice and Fire Pact of Chentang Pass, reimagining the legend of Nezha with compelling stage presence that held the audience spellbound.

Class 3-2’s dance My New Clothes made a striking impression, as children wielded colorful fans and folding fans, merging tradition and modernity through dynamic choreography. Julia and Jacqueline from Class 3-1 performed the Chinese dance medley The Auspicious Fox and The Yue Bird, transforming mythical tales of auspicious creatures into poetic movement, drawing waves of applause from the audience.

Chapter 3: Winter Fantasia

The third chapter wove music, dance, and drama into a magical and dreamlike holiday tapestry.

The SEED Club ensemble opened with The World Gives to Me and We Wish You a Merry Christmas, illuminating the winter stage with rich symphonic sounds. Emma from Class 2-2 followed with a solo piano performance of Tarantella, while Abigail and Patrick from Class 3-2 presented a thrilling four-hand piano arrangement of Pirates of the Caribbean, leading the audience on a rhythmic adventure. Sean, Alex, and Max from Class 3-1 collaborated with Lucus from Class 1-1 in a creative fusion piece Baby, blending instrumental performance with street dance in a lively display of cross-artistic innovation.

The DreamBuds Dance Club presented the ballet Rosetta’s Starry Dream, dancers holding white Bouchets as they gracefully evoked the romance of “stargazing.” The DreamSteps Dance Club performed the Chinese dance The Paper-Cut Girl, skillfully integrating intangible cultural heritage with stage narration, honoring both tradition and the 160th anniversary of Shanghai High School. The chapter concluded with the Glee Chorus Club’s warm and harmonious rendition of Winter Magic, whose clear voices felt like winter sunlight, providing a perfect close to this dreamlike segment.

Chapter 4: Starry Horizons

As the grand finale of the festival, the fourth chapter focused on love, inclusion, and dreams, offering audiences a heartfelt and inspiring artistic experience.

The newly established Podium Pandas Speech Club made a remarkable debut with Echoes of Our Time. Sixteen students delivered excerpts from classic speeches across history and cultures, connecting past and present through sincere voices and thoughtful reflection, adding intellectual depth to the artistic expression. Seven first-grade students followed with A Million Dreams, their innocent yet determined “dream declarations” echoing the festival’s radiant theme. Six students from Class 2-1 then performed the powerful song and dance Believer, exuding confidence and youthful energy through upbeat rhythms.

The Bluebird Drama Club presented the musical Midnight Wonders: A Musical Tale, blending magical atmosphere with themes of growth and self-discovery. The festival concluded with teachers and students sharing the stage in Another Day of Stars—ten students from Class 2-2 joined Hongkou Campus teachers in song and dance, drawing the event to a close under a symbolic canopy of starlight.

IV. A Community Celebration: Families and Teachers Sharing the Spotlight

The Art Festival stage was not only a platform for students to showcase their talents but also a warm gathering that strengthened bonds between home and school. Parent representatives from Grades 1 and 2 performed the lively song and dance New Boy. On stage, parents conveyed a powerful message through their sincere performance: passion for art and the courage to pursue dreams know no age limit. They set an inspiring example for their children—that embracing enthusiasm and daring to try are always worthy of celebration.

The teacher-student joint performance was particularly moving. To the melody of Another Day of Stars, teachers and students danced and sang together, showcasing not only seamless coordination but also creating a vivid educational moment. When teachers stepped down from the podium to stand alongside students under the spotlight, art transcended the conventional teacher-student dynamic, fostering genuine emotional connection. This collaboration created a precious memory of “creating something beautiful together,” allowing education to flourish in an artistic context.

From preparation to performance, close cooperation between families and school was evident everywhere. Parents became the most reliable support team—meticulously preparing costumes and props, carefully styling hair and makeup, attentively documenting moments through photos and videos, and quietly maintaining order throughout the event. These seemingly ordinary contributions formed a warm and solid foundation, making the stage more complete and transforming the Art Festival into a heartwarming celebration for the entire Hongkou Campus family. This spirit of unity is the most touching quality of the festival and the most valuable support on every child’s journey of growth.

V. Fusion Spotlight: Where Genres Collide and Creativity Shines

One of the most striking features of this year’s Art Festival was the clever collision and fusion of different art forms. On stage, instrumental music and dance resonated together, traditional verbal arts interacted with modern rhythms, and theatrical storytelling blended seamlessly with musical theater. These cross-disciplinary arrangements not only expanded the dimensions of artistic expression but also formed a distinctive “new stage language” unique to the Hongkou Campus.

Several performances vividly illustrated this trend of fusion: the collaborative piece Baby combined instrumental performance with street dance across different grade levels, making rhythm “visible” and dance “audible.” The cross-talk performance Fresh Talk to the Beat innovated within the traditional framework, generating more resonant laughter and offering creative tributes to the school. The program We Are Different, But We Are Together integrated elements of Chinese opera with Latin rhythms and musical theater narration, providing an intuitive interpretation of “timeless echoes meeting modern voices.”

From the dialogue between Chinese dance and street dance to the alternating presentation of Chinese and English songs; from contemporary retellings of Chinese myths to imaginative Western musical theater narratives—all intertwined on stage, vividly outlining the open, inclusive, and creatively diverse world as seen through the eyes of the children.

VI. Heartfelt Acknowledgments: To Every Dream Weaver

The success of the Hongkou Campus Art Festival would not have been possible without the enthusiastic participation and dedicated efforts of everyone involved. We extend our sincerest gratitude to all who contributed to this magnificent event:

Special thanks to the courageous and innovative students—new club members who brightened the stage with their debut performances, and creators of fusion programs who broke artistic boundaries with creativity and ingenuity. We also express our deep respect to the teachers who consistently supported students’ innovative practices. Your professional guidance and patient mentorship allowed each creative idea to take root and blossom on stage.

We are grateful to all the volunteers and logistical staff who worked diligently behind the scenes, ensuring the smooth execution of every aspect of the festival. Our thanks also go to every parent and audience member present. Your applause, smiles, and attentive presence were the greatest encouragement for the children and the warmest backdrop for this artistic celebration.

It is because of each and every “you” that our stars shone so brightly and the dreams on stage gleamed with such brilliance. Thank you for weaving together this beautiful evening that belongs to the Hongkou Campus community.

Conclusion

The echoes will last, and the dreams will travel on. May the spotlight from this stage become a lifelong source of courage for every child, illuminating their path as they continue to shine and journey forward into the wider world.

(Written by Nina Kang

Pictures/Video by Parent Volunteers

Reviewed by Ms. Zhu Dan, Shiyu Wu, Samuel James Alexander)