KUCHING: Russell Lim Jian Liang, 26, qualified as Sarawak’s first ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) Fellow after achieving the Highly Commended grade in Modern Ballroom Fellowship to the delight of his trainer John Chong.
Sarawak candidates trained by Chong achieved excellent results in the UK based Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) 2019 Professional Examinations conducted by ISTD Examiners Richard Hunt and Julie Earnshaw.
Sarawak DanceSport Association president Chester Lim congratulated the candidates for their excellent results and commitment to better DanceSport in Sarawak.
“I would also like to thank ISTD trainer John Chong for his untiring efforts, guidance and teaching in developing more qualified dance teachers and also for improving the overall standard of DanceSport in Sarawak,” he said.
More than 70 dancers from Russell & Randell Dance Company, Alexis DanceSport Studio and Tyng Dance Academy also scored well in various levels of the ISTD medal tests.
Heading the list of successful Sarawak candidates besides Russell are Randell Lim Xiu Zhen, 24, and Cindy Chung Sin Yee, 22, who received the Highly Commended grade in the Latin American Licentiate.
Chung also managed to pass the Licentiate in Modern Ballroom and was recognised as the youngest Sarawak candidate to attempt both the ISTD Licentiate in Modern Ballroom and Latin American in one sitting.
A potential dance teacher Simon Tiew Hung Liang, 26, scored a Highly Commended grade in both the Associate in Modern Ballroom and Latin American in one sitting.
August Phang, the first Sarawak candidate for Associate Line & Country Western, surprised everyone as he scored a Highly Commended grade.
Russell, Randell and Cindy have participated in national and international DanceSport competitions and courses and are now part-time dance teachers.
