Some dreams begin on stage—where every graceful movement speaks, and every note resonates with heart.

In this issue of Shine My Way, we meet Faith Fang from Class 7C. From her first day at Fortune Yaohua Kindergarten under the Xiehe Education Group to now thriving in the middle school of SUIS Pudong, Faith Fang’s journey has been like a symphony: anchored by the steady rhythm of learning, and lifted by the soaring melodies of dance.

Over the past nine years, she has grown from a tiny ballerina accompanying stars on stage to a confident performer winning national competitions. Along the way, she has composed her own story of perseverance, passion, and personal growth.

To Faith, growing up is not about denying the past, but about using every present choice to gently mend what once felt incomplete.

To us, she is a shining SUIS Pudong student: chasing her dreams on tiptoe and lighting up every stage she steps on.

Hello everyone, I’m Faith Fang from Class 7C. I like to think of my life as a beautiful symphony: dance is the light and graceful accompaniment, while learning is the steady, ever-present melody. To me, growing up doesn’t mean denying the past, but gently making peace with it through the choices I make now.

When I was three years old, I joined Fortune Yaohua Kindergarten, part of the Xiehe Education Group. That same year, I took my first steps into the world of ballet. In fact, I was admitted to the Little Star Dance Troupe at age three and have now been learning ballet for nine years. Just half a year into my training, I had the chance to perform on stage for the first time, dancing as part of the opening act for SNH48 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. I was so small then, standing on such a grand stage, but something took root in my heart that day. The seed of dance was planted, and from that moment on, it began to sprout and grow.

I treasure every weekly class at Little Star. I follow the teacher’s guidance carefully for each move. Splits hurt but I don’t fear them; core workouts are tiring, but I push through. No matter how complex the choreography, I work hard to remember every detail. More demanding than class, though, is the near-daily practice at home. It’s become a natural part of my life.

 

 

Over the past nine years, I’ve been part of nearly 50 performances:

I was honoured to dance for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC,

I’ve taken part in annual New Year performances for Shanghai’s retired officials,

Performed in Spring Festival Gala recordings,

Danced three times at the opening ceremony of the Shanghai Tourism Festival, welcoming guests from around the world,

And every year, I’ve celebrated Double Ninth Festival by performing for elderly citizens with heartfelt blessings from the children of Shanghai.

These invaluable experiences have broadened my view and strengthened my belief: dance is what I love, and I want to keep dancing.

 

 

I still remember the summer after graduating from kindergarten. I attended the Royal Academy of Dance Summer School in the UK. I was not even seven, and it was the first time I had traveled abroad without my parents. During those ten days of intensive training, I met so many talented dancers. Watching them, I quietly made a promise to myself: One day, I want to shine like them.

After primary school, I began my journey into ballet competitions. I still remember my first time on the PDE stage: I wasn’t nervous at all, and to my surprise, I won a gold medal. That unexpected joy gave me a huge boost. Within a year, I competed in several competitions, received a scholarship to compete in France, and won three national gold medals, earning a place in the Top 16. All of these experiences have shown me that if you truly love something and never give up, dreams do come true.

I sometimes joke that I’m an “arts student” and come to think of it, I really am. Back in kindergarten, I was already singing, dancing, and hosting the winter concert. After joining SUIS Pudong, I became part of the school choir, and have performed in the Winter Concert every year. I was also lucky to host our school’s charity concert.

Now that I’m in middle school, life is just as exciting. This year, I passed the Grade 10 Cello Exam, and was honoured to perform a piece for everyone at the Winter Bazaar.

 

Here, I want to sincerely thank every teacher who has helped and supported me, and thank SUIS Pudong for giving me such a wonderful platform to grow and shine. From my early days at Fortune Yaohua Kindergarten to my years at SUIS Pudong Primary and now in Middle School, I’ve spent nearly my whole childhood growing up with SUIS.

This school has witnessed every step of my journey, supported every spark of passion, and given me endless chances to shine. I’m proud to call it my second home and even more excited for the road ahead.

I will never forget my dream, and I will keep chasing it with courage. I hope that one day, I’ll be able to stand on a world stage and proudly say:

“I come from SUIS Pudong in Shanghai.”

This is me – a girl who chases dreams on her toes, grows through music, stays curious and persistent, and embraces everything she loves. I hope to continue exploring the world of art, swimming through the sea of knowledge, and shining brightly on every stage I stand upon, as I work toward becoming a well-rounded young person of the new era.

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