We’ve all watched the traditional lion dance during the Lunar New Year holiday or special events, but have you ever been a part of a lion dance yourself? Well, our students have! Thanks to our Speaker Series that provides transformative learning experiences.

It was an exciting start to the week as students gathered to watch and learn from the "World Lion King" himself, Weibin Zhao. Along with his team, the South Lion Dance Drum and Dragon Lion Troupe, he dazzled our community with their impressive skills and taught us so much about lion dances that we never knew before!

Weibin Zhao is no ordinary lion dancer - he's the "World Lion King!" Hailing from a family of lion dance performers, he has dedicated over 40 years of his life to mastering this beautiful art form. And he's not alone - his South Lion Dance Drum and Dragon Lion Troupe is one of the largest in the world, boasting over 300 lion performers, 18 dragons, and a hundred powerful drum formations. Zhao has traveled far and wide, showcasing the art and culture of lion dance in competitions and exchanges across the globe. It's no wonder he's earned the title of "World Lion King" - he truly is a master of his craft!

Weibin Zhao and his team brought the house down at AISG! Our Elementary and Secondary students were treated to an unforgettable performance, showcasing the incredible talents of the South Lion Dance Drum and Dragon Lion Troupe. Zhao's demonstrations were nothing short of mesmerizing, as he taught us all about the different expressions of the lions and the intricate design aspects of the masks - and got everyone on their feet to learn some simple moves! The energy in the room was electric, with students eagerly following along and soaking up every moment of this incredible cultural experience.

Some classes also had the privilege of working on more detailed moves during their PE classes. Along with members of his troupe, Weibin Zhao worked with our students to get the hang of the different moves. They also learned different drumming techniques and got to try out moves with real lion dance masks!

Another fun activity was that our students got to paint their own mini lion head masks! Weibin Zhao visited art classes to teach our students about the colors and designs of the lion head and what they symbolize. Our students were so excited to paint their own mini 3D printed masks, decorating them beautifully.

A big thank you to Weibin Zhao and his team for educating us on this wonderful cultural art of our host city. More extraordinary speakers are coming up for our community, keep an eye out!

Our Speaker Series brings extraordinary speakers from all over the world to share their expertise with the AISG community. This is made possible by donations to our Annual Fund. To learn more about our Speaker Series and to see future and past speakers, scan the QR code below. To learn more about our Speaker Series, click here.