Each day begins long before audiences ever see a performance. Inside the university's dance studio, students spend hours stretching, improving flexibility, refining technique, and repeating the same movements until they achieve precision. Training sessions often last six to eight hours to perfect a short routine, demanding both physical endurance and mental focus. Every detail matters, as even a slight mistake requires the entire sequence to be performed again.
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First Lieutenant Olathai Boutdakeo is an outstanding student of the Faculty of Dance at the Military University of Culture and Arts. |
Among her classmates, Olathai stands out for her persistence. While others take brief breaks, she often continues practicing, carefully reviewing and correcting every movement. She acknowledges that there have been moments when she wanted to give up, but believes quitting would make all of her previous efforts meaningless. Her commitment reflects the demanding nature of dance, where progress comes only through constant repetition and unwavering determination.
Instructor Vu Hong Quan describes dance as an art that leaves no room for carelessness but rewards those who persevere. That philosophy is evident throughout every training session, where students not only develop technical skills but also strengthen their discipline, self-control, and resilience.
Olathai's journey has been especially challenging because of her military background. Years of military service instilled discipline, precision, and responsibility, qualities that provided a solid foundation when she enrolled at the university for the 2021–2026 program. However, adapting those strengths to dance required a different approach.
According to Olathai, the greatest challenge was learning to move beyond discipline and express emotion. Dance demands more than technical accuracy; it requires performers to tell stories and connect emotionally with audiences. Achieving that balance meant overcoming rigid habits and practicing every movement repeatedly until it became both technically correct and emotionally expressive.
Her instructor considers perseverance to be one of her greatest strengths, noting that she never gives up despite difficulties. That determination is equally visible before performances. While many students spend time chatting or preparing costumes backstage, Olathai remains quietly focused, regulating her breathing and mentally preparing before stepping onto the stage with calm confidence.
Although audiences witness only a few minutes of performance, those moments are built on hundreds of hours of practice and countless repetitions inside the studio. Every polished movement represents dedication developed far from the spotlight.
Olathai's experience is shared by many of her classmates. Intensive training has fostered strong friendship built on mutual encouragement and support. She said that occasions when classmates stayed late into the evening to help her master difficult techniques inspired her to continue pushing herself instead of giving up.
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Olathai Boutdakeo (right) practices with dedication. |
As each day's final music fades, the dance studio grows quiet once again. The stage lights and applause are absent, leaving only the traces of long hours of training and the determination of students committed to their craft.
For Olathai Boutdakeo, the journey continues. From military service to the study of dance, she has chosen to pursue her goals through steady perseverance rather than words. Her quiet dedication remains the clearest expression of her passion for the art of dance.
Translated by Tran Hoai