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On Friday, December 5, we celebrated two remarkable milestones: twenty years of excellence for Dalian American International School and fifteen years of innovation for Dalian Huamei School. It was an evening filled with art, music, and community spirit, a celebration that will live in our hearts forever.
Before the music began, guests stepped into a transformed venue. A vibrant gallery alive with color and creativity filled the space of the Dalian Development Area Grand Theater. The Art Show brought together work from both elementary and secondary students, showcasing the full spectrum of talent across our school.
Walls burst with playful illustrations and bold patterns from our youngest artists. Bright animal portraits, fantasy landscapes, and imaginative collages invited smiles and curiosity. Tables displayed whimsical three-dimensional creations. Clay elephants wearing crowns, colorful creatures with wings, and inventive mixed-material sculptures seemed ready to leap into life.
Alongside these joyful pieces stood the work of our older students, marked by precision and concept. Striking paintings explored light and shadow. Digital art added motion and modern flair. Mixed-media compositions blended texture and color with confidence.
Every piece told a story. Themes of nature, identity, and community ran deep. From fearless colors to intricate details, the Art Show proved one thing: creativity thrives here.
The evening opened with festive cheer as the Advanced Full Orchestra performed Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson. Sleigh bells chimed, brass gleamed, and strings danced with crisp articulation. From the first bar, the stage was alive with sparkle and joy. A perfect overture for a night of celebration!
Next came a trio of performances from DAIS-E Grade 5. What a Wonderful World radiated warmth and sincerity, and the addition of sign language reminded us to notice beauty in everyday life. Then came Sol Fallera, a Norwegian folk song that brought rustic color and lilting rhythm. Finally, Mbira Jam pulsed with percussive energy. Bright mallet textures and interlocking patterns built momentum and invited the audience into its hypnotic groove.
The Advanced Choir followed with depth and soul. Their rendition of Modimo, a traditional South African piece, resonated with rich harmony and conviction. Call-and-response passages carried strength and tenderness. Clean diction and resonant blend lifted the room. Then came Lovely Day, a Bill Withers classic arranged by Robert T. Gibson. The performance radiated pure optimism with its bright harmonies and steady backbeat. Crisp entrances gave the song its bounce, and the final refrain felt like one big smile that filled the theater.
From there, the orchestra returned to take us on a journey through soundscapes both cinematic and lyrical. The Concert Suite from The Polar Express swept the audience into holiday magic. Playful themes and shimmering percussion painted a winter wonderland. Golden Embers glowed with warmth and subtle dynamic shifts, and melodic lines rose and fell like breath. Origins surged with bold rhythms and evolving motifs. Tension released into triumph with precision and daring.
Nostalgia carried a deep sense of remembrance. Performed as a tribute to late members of our community, the music unfolded alongside a slideshow of cherished memories, filling the theater with gratitude and reflection. Finally, My Neighbor Totoro closed the night in whimsical delight. Playful themes were paired with a spectacular light show. A charming, unforgettable finale!
This celebration would not have been possible without the incredible teamwork behind the curtain. Thank you to Lisa Liang, Ashley Mims, and the Performing Arts Department. Thank you to Martin Moratillo and the Visual Arts Department. Thank you to our MAC team for flawless organization. Thank you to IT, Administrative and HR teams for their support.
And a special thank you goes to our student volunteers: Daniel, Gracie, Jeremy, Joy, Max, Sophie, Urim, Yian, Youssef, and Yubin. You kept everything moving and brought kindness to every task!
Happy 20th Anniversary to DAIS and 15th Anniversary to Huamei! Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate this milestone. Here’s to more years of creativity, excellence, and moments that make us proud.
Click to view more event photos and relive every magical moment.
