As a member of the Dulwich Dehong family, Dehong students can participate in various inter-school sports, arts, intellectual, and leadership activities organized by the group, such as Diversity events, Dulwich International Music Festival, Science and Art Photography Competition, Leadership Summit, Shakespeare Festival, Olympiad Games, Shackleton Lectures, and other global educational initiatives.
Dehong Beijing kicked off the new school year by launching its "Diversity Arts Series" with a flagship event that brought incredible artistic energy to the campus. For this opening program, the school was honoured to welcome two world-class performance masters from the London International Theatrical Arts Centre—Noel Sullivan and James Bennett—for an unforgettable artistic experience.
Over three days, the two masters conducted in-depth interactive workshops for students across various grades and groups, including Grade 1, Grade 3, the Zhi Hong Musical Theatre students, and boarding students. The participants had the rare opportunity to experience the magic of the West End stage first hand through face-to-face coaching from these industry elites.
Meet the Masters
· Noel Sullivan: A renowned British musical theatre star and singer. He boasts an illustrious West End career, having starred in numerous iconic productions such as Queen's We Will Rock You, the energetic Grease, and the dream-chasing Fame. He is celebrated for his powerful vocals and commanding stage presence.
· James Bennett: A talented dance director and choreographer. His career is equally brilliant; he has served as dance caption for major musicals like Dirty Dancing and was the Dance Director for the globally renowned Britain's Got Talent, bringing a wealth of professional stage creation and coaching experience.
Worth to mention that this was the first-ever visit to China for both artists, and their very first stop was Dehong Beijing!
Immersive Experience, Unleashing Potential
In the elementary school workshop, children were introduced to the world of performing arts through learning excerpts from classic musicals such as Matilda, The Lion King, and Grease. Through fun games and lively demonstrations, the mentors created a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for the children to learn singing, dancing, and acting, with the most important aspect being the liberation of their innate nature and bold self-expression. Nearly all the children underwent a transformation from shyness at the beginning of the workshop to confidently expressing themselves and enjoying the stage. In the end, first and third-grade students even surprised the entire elemetary school with an impromptu flash mob performance during the school assembly.
The Zhi Hong Musical Theatre Workshop was more professional. Students in the Zhihong programme had the opportunity to learn and rehearse the opening scene of this semester’s English musical Finding Nemo under the guidance of mentors. Noel Sullivan shared his performance experience on the West End stage, providing detailed guidance to the students, from character understanding to emotional expression. Merida, a second-grade student, excitedly said, “This is my first time experiencing real musical theatre performance. It’s so much fun! I feel more confident now and would love to participate in more performances in the future.”
The boarding school student workshop, under the guidance of mentors, presented a unique “impromptu flash mob performance” after just half an hour of learning. “We were amazed by the creativity and teamwork the students demonstrated in such a short time,” said Ms. Johnson, Performing Arts Director of Dehong School. “This truly reflects the value of drama education—it not only develops performance skills but also nurtures overall personal qualities.”
Through these activities, students not only improved their performance skills but also developed creativity, teamwork, and cross-cultural understanding. These soft skills will accompany them as they grow, becoming core competencies for their future as global citizens.
Dehong’s Drama Education
Dehong School has always placed great emphasis on drama education, committed to providing students with a comprehensive platform for artistic development. In addition to this arts master workshop, the school also offers a complete development pathway for students of all ages, from beginners to those pursuing professional development, through a variety of activities such as the annual group Shakespeare Workshop, Shakespeare Festival, Shakespeare Residents Week, and the Zhi Hong Musical Theatre Club.
Teachers and Parents Also Benefit
This event was not only for students but also included workshops specifically designed for teachers and parents. Through firsthand experience, parents gained an understanding of how drama education helps children improve their expression skills and self-confidence. One parent remarked after the workshop, “I finally understand why Dehong places such importance on arts education. It is truly essential for the holistic development of children.”
Holistic Education, Practiced at Dehong
This performing arts master class is a microcosm of Dehong School’s philosophy of “holistic education.” The school focuses not only on students’ academic achievements but also on their development from physical, emotional, intellectual, and social perspectives.
Moving forward, Dehong School will continue to introduce more high-quality arts education resources to provide students with diverse learning experiences. “We will steadfastly uphold the philosophy of ‘Students First, Holistic Education’ to offer Dehong students more opportunities to shine on the global stage.”
