Chinese performers foster cultural exchange at Macon's Stratford Academy

Graceful dances, colorful costumes and unusual instruments brought Chinese culture to life Monday for students at Stratford Academy.

The Guangzhou Art Troupe from Hanban, China, performed ethnic folk dances, tracing the footsteps of ancestors along the ancient silk road where traders hauled fine fabrics from the Orient to the Mediterranean.

Since 2013, The Confucius Institute at Wesleyan College has promoted Chinese language and traditions in an international exchange that includes Mandarin instruction at Stratford.

"I think arts can trigger students' interest in multicultural activities, so I think it's very important for children in 21st century," said Donna Han, who teaches Mandarin at Stratford. "They've got to know different cultures, and they can enjoy it and they can appreciate this is very important."

Jiang "Isadora" Xiaoping, of Wesleyan's Confucius Institute, translated for the troupe, which has traveled to four Southeastern states, visiting seven universities and four other schools, including the Macon Charter Academy.

"We have a close collaboration with Stratford Academy, and we would like to share this performance with our wonderful partner," Xiaoping said.

The mistress of ceremonies for the program, who gave introductions in English and Mandarin, made sure the students realized the dancers were in middle school, only about 15 years old.

Robert Veto, Stratford's head of school, said the performance expanded their partnership and broadened students' connections to the world.

"That's part of what we've been trying to do, is to get our students to reach out outside of their comfort zones," Veto said.

The school has two Mandarin instructors teaching in middle and high school.

"East is meeting West more often -- and I guess more deeply, I would say, too," Veto said.

Although he thought the dances were beautiful, Veto was captivated by the Chinese stringed instruments played by Guangzhou University students.

The Chinese zither, which dates back 2,500 years, is similar to an autoharp, but it is mounted on a stand that creates a tablelike platform.

The erhu is a bowed string instrument nicknamed the Chinese violin, but with its long neck and small, drum-like sound case, it looks nothing like its Western cousin.

The musician was able to replicate the sounds of galloping horses and even a few "whinnies" at the end of a song.

At the end of the program, the Stratford student body jumped at the chance to pose for group photos on stage with the performers.

"One more," said the emcee in a pink, sequined gown. "One, two, say cheese!"

The tour also points out how the cultures have melded over the centuries.

"These dancers and the singers also integrate some Western elements which can show the integration of the world, in a sense," Xiaoping said.

Several performers, back in their street clothes, paused with their friends to take snapshots on their mobile phones in front of the school off Peake Road.

Judging by their poses, the selfie and photobombing apparently know no borders.

To contact writer Liz Fabian, call 744-4303 and follow her on Twitter @liz_lines.