For 24 years, Willoughby City resident, Kay Tang has been teaching Japanese folk dance or 'bon odori' at MOSAIC multicultural centre in Chatswood, NSW. Originally from Taiwan, and having picked up the Japanese language during her early education years, Ms Tang also teaches Taiwanese folk dance and flower making.
Her passion, and dedication to the community was recognized this year, and Ms Tang was awarded Senior Volunteer of the Year.
"The honor is more than I deserve" Ms Tang spoke to SBS Japanese.
Senior Volunteer of the Year award goes to 92-year-old Willoughby City resident Kay Tang Source: Willoughby City Council
"The award also belongs to all of the volunteers at MOSIAC”
Ms Tang not only provides "stimulating cultural and educational activities" but "help migrants integrate into the community, while helping them to retain their cultural heritage'", Willoughby City Council said in a statement.
Her class provides "a sense of comradery and new meaning and purpose" which as a result, improves their health and well being.
Ms Tang also received Highly Commended for the Arts and Culture Award of the NSW Premier’s Harmony Medals in 2019.
Ms Tang says making friends, who in turn becomes like a family, brings her many joy and happiness - one of the reasons why she is able to continue her passion till today.
The inability to meet people or dance in front of a crowd during the pandemic has been difficult.
Senior Volunteer of the Year award goes to 92-year-old Willoughby City resident Kay Tang Source: Willoughby City Council
However this did not stop Ms Tang from doing what she loves.
She tried Zoom lessons, searched for music, created new chorography and was busy on the phone staying in contact with her members.
"I am looking forward to teaching them the new choreography sakura sakura" says Ms Tang.
"But Zoom was difficult"
"I can only see their faces and arms, not their legs. I couldn't see everyone on the screen at once. I thought this can't be good, and stopped"
Ms Tang cannot wait to see her members in person again, and practise to bring together their new dance.
Kay Tang and MOSAIC Japanese Folk Dance Group Source: SBS
Their next performance will be Matsuri Japan Festival in Chatswood, organized by Japan Club of Sydney (JCS), scheduled for December 18.
Ms Kay says, the highlight of these events, is when she has the opportunity to teach the crowd, and dance together on the stage.
"The community merge, the crowd enjoys it, and our joy becomes even more greater. It makes me so happy that I become teary"
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