DISTED COLLEGE NEWS
22 December 2009

Exhilarating encounter with music and dance

                                                                                                          Album

Participants of the 2-day Camp Rock, organized by DISTED College, had a great time with music and performing arts besides enjoying a wealth of other opportunities that stimulate the mind and body. 

Held on 21 and 22 December 2009, the camp engaged the participants in various activities including composing a musical presentation, developing choreography, creating STOMP-style music, learning modern dance steps and a talent showcase. 

The participants learnt how to move to a beat and respond to changes in tempo as well as explored sound and produced music using non-musical instruments such as kitchen utensils.

The high-energy dance experiences included modern hip hop, jazz and traditional creative movements. 

The Danzity team (foreground) teaching modern dance steps to the Camp Rock participants.

The Camp Rock participants sharing a happy moment.

“The camp for upper secondary students aims to enhance the creativity, talents and leadership of participants through performing arts.  

“It combines music, dance and acting into an exciting avenue for self-discovery, enhancing inter-personal skills and fostering friendships,” said organizer Josephine Chan Ie Lyn, who is also DISTED administration manager. 

“The enthusiasm generated by the camp will encourage the students to further develop their interest and talent in music and dance,” she added.  

The participants practising a rock and roll dance.

The STOMP-style rock music makers in a performance.

Nicole Cheah Lyn Erh, who has taken part in state level hip hop and R&B dance competitions, gave thumbs up to the camp. 

“It’s fun, it’s enjoyable, it’s a new learning experience in music and dance. I’ve learnt new choreography besides sharing the joy of music with my fellow participants,” said the Form 3 SMK Convent Green Lane student. 

“I love music and dance as I can express my emotions and creative inner self,” she added.

The Camp Rock participants from Hatyai...(from left) Hatyai International Business School students Zahra Wongyusuk@Nee, Watsachon Koonrit@Kame, Pajungporn Keawmanee@Aoy, Songkhla Technology School students Somkiat Kueklang@Sea, Nittaya Fleckenstein@Nit and Janjira Tapmalai@Nan.

Bonding through music...(from left) Songkhla Technology School students Nittaya Fleckenstein@Nit and Somkiat Kueklang@Sea with SMK Convent Green Lane student Nicole Cheah Lyn Erh.

6 Thai students from Hatyai International Business School and Songkhla Technology School were among the participants of the event which took inspiration from Disney Channel's Camp Rock, an upbeat and fun movie that people of all ages enjoy. 

Songkhla Technology School student Somkiat Kueklang said: “The camp is fun and exciting. I’ve learnt new dance movements besides having a good time with the other participants." 

“The event also gives me the chance to practise speaking English with Malaysian students,” he said.

“Music is good for relaxation. I also like disco dancing as a form of self-expression,” said the engineering student who plays the guitar. 

His school mate Nittaya Fleckenstein said: “The camp gives me a refreshing experience in dancing. It’s just great!” 

“I’ve also made new friends and got a closer feel of Penang culture particularly the delicious food,” said the accounting student. 

The Camp Rock participants and organizing team, including organizer Josephine Chan Ie Lyn (seated , left) and DISTED president Dr Koo Wee Kor (seated, right), jubilating at the closing of the event.

 Lyrics Composed by DISTED Camp Rockers

School Sucks!
Teachers who can never teach
Homework too much make us stressed
Canteen food makes us sick
Sickening toilets kill our noses

School is like a locking cage
Teachers crap without thinking
Locking us up in a jail
What the hack are they thinking?
School's out, let me out of here
I just want to go home

Principal is just a name
We all think that he's insane
All requests have been ignored
All his talking makes us bored

Making chorus is damn hard
Teachers never taught us that
Crap too much along the days
When will they ever learn
School's out, let me out of here
I just want my freedom

I Wanna Go Home
I woke up and I saw city lights
People walking down the street at night
Laughs and joy from people everywhere
But nothing here makes me feel like home

[Chorus]
Counting down the seconds to go home
To see the smile on my mother's face
To feel the joy of my father's hug
To enjoy the time with my loved ones
And that's the reason why I wanna go home

I can't sleep at night without my bed
Everything I see just seems to fade
Nothing here seems to be the same
My heart is empty when I'm not at home

[Repeat chorus]

I see the brightness of Christmas lights
People opening presents at night
Cries of laughter at every corner
But I really just wanna go home

No matter where I am
Even with a smile on my face
Nothing makes me happier than home!