ProviDANCE Camp

ProviDANCE Camp 2008
Organized by CFA and Singapore Dance Theatre (SDT)
2-4 Jun 08
CFA Studios

The holidays have started but CFA Studios is still busy since early 8am! That was because on 2-4 June, 18 dancers from our various dance groups have gathered to participate the ProviDANCE Camp! This is part of the collaboration between CFA and SDT, and the camp aims to teach various skills to be a choreographer!

Since it's early at 8am, the dancers started the day with an hour long warm up! Here are some of the snapshots...

Extend your body vertically...

...and of course, horizontally...

Silvia, (Lady in black, centre) was one of the trainers for this camp.

Dancers said, "Her warm-ups were definitely no-joke!"

And some hopping and jumping...

Our Director, Christine and Deputy Director, JuLi also joined the dancers for lunch to support this event!


CFA has such nice views? Neh... the dancers were fortunate to have a trip down to SDT training studios, and therefore, here they were at Fort Canning Park!


The other two trainers from SDT summarized what they have learnt so far!

Then, our dancers were so excited to meet David Dawson (in blue) to exchange ideas on how to create strong and impact choreography work, that is meaningful to both dancers and the audience.

We also had a chance to witness the rehearsal for A Million Kisses to my Skin by David Dawson. We were sitted real close with the dancers (and decided that it was not nice to take photos). Our dancers were so impressed with the professionalism of the SDT dancers - "I believe I've never been as tired as the SDT dancers in my whole life!"


Day 3 was the result time! These were the works by our student choreographers.

Duet

Praying Mantis
Very sorry that the first 50 secs, somtimes only one dance was being captured in the video!

Noise
Take note of the two Dance Blast! dancers at the far back!

And some final photos with the trainers!

Impressed with the work here? Do stay tuned for NUS Arts Festival 09, as some of the new works by our students will be featured there!

Indian Dance Workshop with Ms Malavika Mohanan

Indian Dance Workshop with Ms Malavika Mohanan
CFA Dance Theatre
12 April 08

On the 12th of April, members of NUS Indian Dance attended a workshop conducted by Malavika Mohanan. She is trained in bharatanatyam and is based in California. In the recent years she has been exploring as many traditions of movement as have come her way. During the workshop, we learnt a completely new way of expressing emotions by our movements. No matter what dance background we were from, we could feel the peace and serenity brought about by the movements of her dance.

Ms Malavika Mohanan (centre, dressed in light blue and red Sari)

During the workshop, we formed our own dance movements by bringing together ideas from everyone, thus producing an amalgam of traditional movements, which in itself was a new movement altogether.

We also saw a small performance piece by Ms Mohanan herself where she put text into her dance along with music. It was mesmerising to see someone so flawlessly expressing her emotions!

Text: Komal Shruti & Grace

Photo: Courtesy of NUS Indian Dance

Dance Synergy - Voices for Hospice

Voices for Hospice
6 Oct 2007
7pm, Victoria Theatre

It is not often that we take time out of our busy schedules to stop and think about the less fortunate amongst us and contribute towards making their lives the best we can, as those privileged to get a higher education.

Voices for Hospice gave NUS Dance Synergy a chance to do just that— and more.

NUS Dance Synergy was part of the Voices for Hospice charity concert, October 6, 2007, Victoria Theatre. Our dancers performed Passage, choreographed by Mr. Fan Dong Kai. Together with 12 other music groups, we proudly shared the stage with host Gurmit Singh to entertain Guest-of-Honor, President S.R. Nathan, in a theatre so rich with Singapore’s history.

However, our most heartfelt sentiments lay with the concert’s beneficiaries. We juggled assignments and work with rehearsals but all 19 of us took it in our stride, and in the true spirit of NUS Dance Synergy, gave our sincere best onstage.

Being part of a charity concert is an experience that made us realize how much we could contribute with our passion for dance and how important it is for NUS Dance Synergy to continue sharing this passion with people from all walks of life. All the technical prowess in the world will never replace the heart – and the passion - we have for dance and the joy it can bring to the less fortunate amongst us.


Front row: Junior Violinists from Little HeartStrings; Back:NUS Dance Synergy; Left: Dr. Seet, Chairman of Singapore Hospice Council, Gani and Gurmit Singh

Text: Lynette (NUS Dance Synergy)

Photo: Courtesy of NUS Dance Synergy

NUS Dance Ensemble - The Next Wave 2007

NUS Dance Ensemble
Dance Reflections 2007 The Next Wave 07 - Fifteen: Vicissitude
8pm, 21 & 22 Sept 07 (Fri, Sat) UCC Hall

The NUS Dance Ensemble celebrated its 15th Anniversary with a concert which showcased works by 8 choreographers - Shabirul Zaki Ahmad, Julihanna Annuar & Shaun Lee, Kavitha Krishnan, Ryan Tan, Dan Kwoh, Xu Jie and Zaini Mohd Tahir. The 24-member Methodist Girls' School Dance Club was the guest performing group.

The programme featured works of different styles which included contemporary Indian and Chinese dances, contemporary dance, hip-hop and a Javanese-Bali fusion piece. The production involved 91 dancers and was very well received by the audience.

How can there be a dance article without photos? Pls scroll down for highlights...

Eternal, choreographed by Shahbirul Zaki Ahmad who also choreographed the guest item performed by Methodist Girl's School!

Dyscordia, choreographed by Julianna Annuar & Shaun Lee
This photo clearly shows that this dance was inspired by problems of stress and depression faced by many nowadays.


The Cosmic Warriors, choreographed by Kavitha Krishnan
A piece which married the traditional Bharathanyam and the details of contemporary forms.


Enter More Black and White, choreographed by Ryan Tan
First time seeing Dance Ensemble dancing Hip-hop!? So did I!

Unsung, choreographed by Dan Kwoh

Showcasing only female dancers in this item, it spoke of the pain and struggle for women who have chosen to break free

I can assure you - the dance was as impactful as this photo!

Swan Park, choreographed by Xu Jie
I loved the "park settings" sets and the multi-purpose "swan body/skirt" props of this piece!

Samsara, choreographed by Zaini Mohammad Tahir, NUS Dance Ensemble's Resident Choreographer.

Want to see more of this dance?

Click and see Dance Reflections 2007 - Hybrid Moves

Not satisfied with only photos on stage!? Scroll down!

The whole lobby was PACKED with audience before the show started!!

Two sweet swans preparing backstage!!!

Of course, we should not forget these young and talented dancers from Methodist Girl's School!

The FOH desk - the place where seniors got to interact with juniors who were not dancing!

Now, time to mention some important souls behind the scene...

First of all, Glen - Dance Ensemble's VP!

Koustav -Welfare & Publicity Manager;

and Jennifer - President!

Siew Ling - Group Manager

and of course...

Zaini - Resident Choreographer of NUS Dance Ensemble

(Stage photos) Photographed by Tan Ngiap Heng

(Behind the scenes) Photographed by Siew Ling, with CFA's "Not-too-bad-for-selected-event" camera

Dance Reflections 2007 - Hybrid Moves (Behind the scene)

Candid photos off-stage!

Our Stage Manager, Dorothy!

Karen, our Production Manager should not be forgotten of course.

Hmm... sooooooooo many sweets in the dressing rooms before the show! But somehow well-hidden in this photo.

tying their bling-bling nice-sounding bells!

Look at how the guys admire their own female dancers on stage! (but there is one quite preoccupied with his turns...)

How can you not agree that lighting creates the mood!? So... z-e-n~

Roll and roll and roll it tight! Some say many dancers are flat-chested, maybe now we know why...

Even Zaini sits down like a obdient student and listens to briefing!


After the show, what's more exciting than... Reception time!

Peranakan Food! Fav pick of the night: Deep Fried Dumpling!

Our Director & Deputy Director - Christine & Ju Li; our Dance Blast! and most importantly, the plate of Kueh Salat made by our G.O.H. of the night, Mr Peter Wee from Peranakan Association!

Here comes our Synergy choreographer: Mr Fan, with his charming white suit and cool 007 pose!

Representatives from Dance Blast!, Dance Synergy, Indian Dance and Dance Ensemble!

Photos: courtesy of Grace & Iris, with CFA's "wah~" camera

Dance Reflections 2007 - Hybrid Moves

Dance Reflections has finally kicked start!

Its opening show, Hybrid Moves which involved all our 6 dance groups, was staged on 15 & 16 Sep. Here are some snapshots to share...


Rentak Funky (Funky Beats) by NUS Dance Blast!
Peek into a night at a Peranakan museum with our robbers! Imagine mannequins coming alive and dancing to the groove of Peranakan and hip hop music.

Above: Look at those models (or "real" manequins?) and the gigantic "NIKOM" camera!

Below: Fusing the Peranakan Manequins and museum background and the modern hip-hop move!

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From Where I Am Standing by NUS Indian Dance

Using traditional movements with a contemporary twist, this dance explored the space of an airwell typically found in Peranakan homes. It was based on Heng Siok Tian's poem, Sayang Airwell.

Telling a story: Peranakan ladies by the river

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Passage by NUS Dance Synergy
Trace the life of a Peranakan though the idyll days of youth to the sunsets of adulthood. Through the movement of dance, the celebration of life both young and old was unveiled through a candid display of trenchant expressions of innocence, love and eccentricity. Watch as life unfolded her many colours.

Above: A seemingly lost young couple PS. The moving shadow seemed to affect the harmony of the picture...

Below: The Matriarch
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Nadi by NUS Ilsa Tari
Journey in the search for self identity: the reality is that the soul and identity lie on the earth and beneath the sky. It is human to acknowledge and accept our strength and weaknesses. During this journey, Malay and Peranakan music and dance were highlighted.

Both: The struggle in self-identity

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My Homeland by NUS Chinese Dance

This new work comprised four distinct pieces - from a peaceful environment, the dancers become lost in their homeland, finally finding harmony with each other in this multiracial society, and building a beautiful home that they could call their own.

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Samsara by NUS Dance Ensemble

This contemporary dance with Balinese influence explored the concepts of karma, cycles and change.

Below: Their own choreographer, Zaini in action!

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Curtain call time! Presenting to you, all our choreographers... I'm sure I need not reflect which group they are directing - their poses tell it all!

Mr. Patrick Loo

Mrs. Santha Bhaskar

Mr. Fan Dong Kai - maybe this post of his doesn't tell, he's the choreographer of Dance Synergy!

(Photo: Courtesy of Chris)

Mr. Osman Abdul Hamid

Ms Ding Hong

Mr Zaini Mohammad Tahir

Photos: Courtesy of Grace, with CFA "super-professional" camera