Unity Through Dance

An exchange of passion and styles

by Gerald K.

Photographs: Singapore Dance Study Tour

What started out ominously when the group from Philippines landed in Changi’s Budget Terminal instead of the much heralded Changi Airport Terminal, turned out to be just a minor glitch in the three-days Singapore Dance Study Tour.

Managing and Artistic Director of House of Dance, Mirella G. Clarette was disappointed that the group did not get to experience what has made Singapore’s Changi Airport so famous. “Most of them here are first time visitors to Singapore and they are missing out on the best first impression that anyone can ever have of Singapore!” she lamented.

“Now that we are here, they must go to Orchard Road instead,” she heartily laughed.

Indeed, the setback did not dampened the experience that brought thirty dancers from Philippines on a Singapore Dance Study Tour (SDST).

Co-organised by Philippines’ House and Dance and hosted in Singapore by Studio Wu, the SDST was an opportunity for the dancers to hone their skills and repertoire beyond their comfort zone. The intensive three-days study tour exposed the students in MTV, Lyrical Jazz, Hip Hop, as well as House and Waacking by Studio Wu’s instructors.

Clarette was “heartened to see young hiphop dancers struggling to keep up in the jazz classes.” She added that “this will spur them to explore further beyond what they are used to and hopefully develop them into well-rounded dancers.”

The group of thirty from Philippines, whose ages range from twelve to 53, attended Jazz and Hip Hop classes by Studio Wu’s instructors Sheila Cheong, Chua Choon Hui and Willy Ong and were treated to House and Waacking by old school funk specialist, Michael Sim.

Sheila Cheong who guided the participants in Lyrical Jazz was impressed with the dedication and eagerness to learn shown by the participants. She said that “the hunger in dance will feed the soul to nurture and grow the person beyond just being a dancer.”

Chua Choon Hui added that during the short three days of intensive workshop she has established a close relationship with her visiting students and look forward to an opportunity to share more in Philippines in a healthy exchange of ideas.

Besides the dance participants, House of Dance also brought along two of their faculty members Jesse Gotangco aka BBoy Reflex and Phil Pamintuan who shared with Singaporean dancers in their B-boying and Krumping workshops respectively.

Studio Wu’s Centre Manager, Andy Lee noted that such exchange is necessary among the regional partners to propel everyone to greater heights.

He said, “This project (SDST) is the first of many that Studio Wu is embarking to open up the in-roads and eventually enhance the region as another dance hub besides the already established dance centers such as New York and Osaka.”

Lee added that he look forward to more of such regional exchanges and platform for the dance community.

Press Release prepared by Gerald K.

pictures by Carol C. and Facebook

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