Nancy Chiu
趙蘭心
Nancy Chiu began ballet training when she was six years old, also learning Chinese and modern dance as she grew. Later on, she became a television and movie dancer and was one of the pioneers engaged in Hong Kong's television dance shows.
In 1967, she worked with the Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) as a dancer and choreographer and later joined the Rediffusion Television Limited (RTV) as head of the dance division.
During 1967-71, she had performed 600 live shows and had accumulated invaluable experience in performing arts.
In 1971, at the end of a brilliant career on stage, Nancy founded the Nancy Chiu Ballet Studio in Hong Kong and by 1991, a branch of her ballet school was opened in Toronto, Canada.
In 1977, Nancy was appointed as the Chief Choreographer for a major dance performance celebrating the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, which incorporated over 1,500 dancers.
Innumerable students, both local and overseas, have come under Ms. Chiu's instruction. Apart from teaching dance, she also choreographed for singers and movie stars like Rebecca Pan, Josephine Siao, Nancy Sit, Fung Bobo, Sum Sum, Ban Ban, the late Roman Tam and Leslie Cheung, as well as younger entertainers like Karen Mok and Charlene Choi.
Ms. Chiu's works were noted for their unique characterization and stage design, fabulous costumes and structural fluidity. She was also renown for articulating events in Chinese history and incorporating customs and folklore in the form of dance. She was a Guest Choreographer of the Hong Kong Dance Company, and her works include Wong Tai Sin, Femme Fatale - Black Lady, Hou Yi and Chang E, as well as prize-winning creations such as Rainbow Dresses and Feathered Gowns, Ladies with Flowers in Their Hair, Daiyu Laying the Flowers to Rest, Fishermen's Night Song and Sprout. And in her later years, Ms. Chiu devoted much of her time to traditional Chinese opera, building on her impeccable foundation in dance.
Ms. Chiu had been Royal Academy of Dance Registered Teacher for over 30 years. Other accomplishments include being an executive committee member of the Hong Kong Dance Federation, Eastern District Arts Council, and chairperson of the Eastern District Children Dance Group. She had been serving many years as adjudicator for the Hong Kong Schools Dance Festival and Open Dance Competition.
Ms. Chiu passed away peacefully in 2015 August after a brave battle with cancer. Nancy Chiu Ballet Studio now continues in memory of Nancy Chiu and is carrying on the legacy of dancing that she has instilled in the hearts of so many.
趙蘭心自六歳開始學習芭蕾舞,後來跟隨名師學習中國舞和現代舞。
趙蘭心為香港第一代電視舞蹈工作者,經年活躍於香港的電視臺及舞臺。由1966-81年間,曾先後受聘于香港無綫電視臺和麗的呼聲電視臺,擔任舞蹈員、導師、舞蹈編導和行政工作。趙蘭心的編舞和現場直播演出經驗非常豐富,由1967-71年間,共演出600場的表演,累積了寶貴的舞臺經驗。
趙蘭心于1971年在香港成立趙蘭心舞蹈學院,在1991年更在加拿大多倫多成立分校。趙蘭心教學多年,桃李遍佈海內外,尤以為影視藝人編排舞蹈,其中有潘迪華、蕭芳芳、薛家燕、馮寶寶、森森、班班、羅文、張國榮、莫文蔚和蔡卓妍等。
趙老師的作品多不勝數,最為龐大的演出是1977年被委任為英女皇登基銀禧紀念慶典全港舞蹈統籌,統籌近1500人的大型舞蹈表演。
趙老師的作品以演員舞臺造型獨特,服飾綺麗,構圖多變見稱。她善於把中國歷史,風俗習慣和民間傳奇以舞蹈形式表演。曾為香港舞蹈團客席編導,作品有香港黃大仙、女人–聶小倩、后羿嫦娥。另得獎作品有霓裳羽衣曲、簪花仕女圖、黛玉葬花、漁舟唱晚及芽等。
近年趙老師醉心中國戲曲藝術,造詣不凡。以多年舞蹈修養為基礎,持續學習和參與慈善演出,繼續享受舞臺表演所帶來的滿足感。趙老師更為大戲表演編排舞蹈。
趙蘭心為英國皇家舞蹈學院註冊教師、香港舞蹈總會執行理事、香港東區文藝協進會理事、香港東區兒童舞蹈團主席、香港校際舞蹈比賽及公開舞蹈比賽評審。
趙老師於2015年8 月因病不幸辭世。趙蘭心舞蹈學院將繼續傳承趙老師對舞蹈教學的熱誠、對藝術的堅持和培育下一代的精神。