Live! LAB = Dance x Music
Independent Dancers x SNYCO = 4 Original Interdisciplinary Artistic Inquiries
What happens when independent dance makers collaborate with the musicians from SNYCO?
Join the youth artists from Live! LAB = Dance x Music in their artistic exploration of their collaboration, co-creation and performance journey from 8 to 10 December 2021 on *SCAPE Facebook and YouTube.
| Live! Lab = Dance x Music | |||
| *SCAPE Facebook Live | 8 December 2021, 7pm | 9 December 2021, 7pm | 10 December 2021, 7pm |
| *SCAPE YouTube Live | 8 December 2021, 7pm | 9 December 2021, 7pm | 10 December 2021, 7pm |
Performances:
Title: In Time To Be
Synopsis:
We encounter. Our distance marked in tangled red, unravelling, weaving; coming together in the making. A trickle rushes into stream- Self bigger than self-unfolds..
Choreographer:
Kwek Yi Xuan
Yixuan is a movement maker, performer, and writer amidst other in-betweens. She has served as a movement collaborator with local dance company RAW Moves, and for performances and exhibitions both internationally and at home such as the exhibition ON/OFF/SCREEN during Singapore Art Week 2021. As a movement creative, she enjoys dabbling in multiple capacities through an embodied approach, and her artistic practice stems from a sense of curiosity and urgency towards the self and the world around. Yixuan graduated in 2020 with a BA First Class Honours in Dance and Choreography from Falmouth University (United Kingdom).
Yeo Hana Ningtias Putri
Started contemporary dance at the age of 9 in Pei Tong Primary School as a co-curricular activity and continued to Kent Ridge Secondary School joining the Dance Club picking up Jazz and Hip-Hop. Hana recently graduated from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts with a Diploma in Dance and actively performed in student pieces as well as works by choreographers Mr. Peter Gn, Tan Xin Yen and Ms Gillian Tan. Hana also participated in the local Dance Programme PULSE that was organised by Frontier Danceland. She has also choreographed pieces such as “It’s Complicated” which was her first work that was shown in Dancers@work, a production by NAFAs Dance programme, as well as “Out of Breath” which had the opportunity to be shown in Third Space and lastly, “Unpublished Manuscript” which was recently shown in NAFA’s annual show Crossings under the guidance of Ms Gillian Tan.
Musician:
PB & J
Formed in 2018, PB&J is Singapore’s only indie crossover band that creates a special brand of immersive performance characterised by the use of traditional Chinese and Western instruments, electronics, non-conventional sound sources – all set amidst soft visual aesthetics. Featuring local musicians Jocelyn Tan (sheng/electronics), Ng Wei Xuan (dizi/melodica/keyboard), Emilea Teo (ruan/keyboard) Sulwyn Lok (ruan/electronics) and Ong Wei Da (yangqin/percussion), the band eschews the typical upbeat styles of crossover music that defines most fusion ensembles today, in favour of playing peeled-back jazz arrangements and new works in intimate, cosy venues. A recipient of the National Arts Council’s Digital Presentation Grant, the quintet debuted their two originals, “Sunset” and “Pa-do” in 2021.
Dancer:
Elicia Pauline Silitonga
Elicia is currently studying at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) Diploma in Dance. Elicia has trained under Dr.CarenCarino, GillianTan, GohShouYi, Dr.DavidZeitner, Dr.FilomarTariao, ToruOkada, QiHuan, JeffreyTan, RosaPark, XiaHaiying, SupatchaiLappakornkul, AliceLau, JennyNeo, YennyWidjaja, GohJiaYin(Gyrokinesis), and many more Elicia has been involved in several NAFA dance productions, such as, Dancers@Work in a student choreography piece entitled “Persevere” by Sky Kew, “Sayaw Cordillera” (Filipino Folk Dance) by Filomar Tariao (Philippines), “Hollow” by Brandon Tang, The Third Space 2020 working with Christina Chan (Singapore) in a piece called “Spinning House and Other Stories”, and “Walking Towards The Knife’s Edge” by Son Yu Joung (Korea), she also performed in “Embracing the Distance, Void Between Us Matters” by Gillian Tan (Singapore), “Harmony” (Chinese Dance) by Jenny Neo, “Jazz Showcase” (Latin, lyrical, street) by Yenny Widjaja, “…but Before We Get There, Someone Moves” by Sky Kew Shi Hui, and “Unpublished Manuscript” by Yeo Hana in Crossings 2021. She also performed in LEAP 2021 by Frontier Danceland in “Solidarity” by Neo Yan Zong and Keryn Ng Gek Theng and “In the Aisle” by Zhuo Zihao. Recently, she involved in dance film choreographed by Supatchai Lappakornkul for Da;ns Festival called “Nātaya”.
Title: Ontogeny
Synopsis:
Definition ontogenesis/ˌɒntə(ʊ)ˈdʒɛnɪsɪs/noun: ontogenesisA journey from conception to maturity. From strangers to friends. From friends to partners. Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing. The development of a relationship from its earliest stage to maturity.
Choreographer:
Nicholas & Lindsey
Nicholas and Lindsey are one of Singapore’s top competitive Latin ballroom couples with a combined total of over 100 awards and 20 years of experience. They have travelled internationally to compete and perform in countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, etcetera. With training from world renown coaches and adjudicators from, United Kingdom, Russia, Germany and Australia, they are one of the foremost Latin ballroom dancers and educators in Singapore.
Musician:
Ryan Lim Ming Zheng
Ryan began his musical journey by learning the piano at the age of 6 he then picked up Erhu after joining the Chinese orchestra. At age 13, Ryan came under the tutelage of Erhu maestro Zhang Yu Ming. With guidance from Mr. Zhang, Ryan has participated in the China Central Conservatory of Music Instrumental Examinations co-organised by the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), and the CI-TENG Chinese Music Instrumental Grading Examinations, attaining excellent results.
Today, Ryan is a Concertmaster at the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra and has attained multiple awards in national music competition. He also frequently guests play for many Chinese orchestras and is regularly involved in various community projects like The Purple Symphony and the TENG Gives Back programme.
Cheney Teh
Cheney is a Singaporean erhu musician, currently in her final year at NAFA majoring in the erhu. Throughout her musical journey, she has played mainly classical Chinese music and is involved in various performances, orchestral activities, and is also a member of SNYCO. Now she seeks to explore different genres of music and art forms beyond what she’s used to, hoping to create something more fun, exciting and relatable.
Title: Komorebi
Synopsis:
Seeds of Serenity thrown into Crimson Calamity.
To provide or be provided.
Choreographer:
Mohammad Sharul
Sharul is a versatile dance artist with multifaceted experience comprising choreographic work, teaching and performance. From 2007 he has been a Malay dance practitioner with Artiste Seni Budaya, under the tutelage of Mr Rizman Kassim. He developed a well-honed craft in the various traditional and folk forms of Malay dance. He is also currently an associate artist with P7:1SMA dance company since 2018.
With experience performing on international stages (Poland, Korea, Sabah, Bulgaria, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Melbourne), and through a wide variety of platforms and collaborative works, Sharul has deepened his unique perspectives: his dance artistry and choreographic creativity are grounded in intricate expression and complexity of movement. He is dedicated to bringing traditional Malay dance closer to society by assisting people to relate to the art form in new ways, thus keeping tradition alive and relevant.
Sharul is passionate in creating contemporary works that explore movement language of Malay traditional form. Upon graduation from BA (Hons) Dance from LASALLE College of the Arts, he would like to nurture his practice and create more choreographies.
Musician:
Sherman Lee
Sherman is a composer and musician from Singapore. As a dizi musician, Sherman has been invited to perform with numerous groups such as the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, Ding Yi Music Company and Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra. He auditioned into the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra (SNYCO) in 2013, where he was appointed as the Dizi Principal from 2015 to 2017 and 2019 to 2020. In 2016, he performed the dizi concerto 信天游 composed by Phoon Yew Tian, accompanied by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra at the Esplanade Concert Hall. Besides playing the dizi, Sherman also composes. Sherman started learning composition from Eric Watson in 2017. His works have been played by groups such as Dicapella Dizi Ensemble and Ding Yi Music Company. Some recent works include Bencoolen Street for mixed Chinese and western instruments, and the dizi chamber pieces Washoku and Seollal. Sherman currently holds the position of Composer-in-Residence in Dicapella. He was appointed as the NAFA Chinese Orchestra’s Dizi Principal in 2016 and 2020, graduating with a Diploma in Music in 2017 under the tutelage of Yin Zhi Yang. Currently, he is pursuing a Bachelor of Music (Honours) at NAFA, majoring in Composition under Dr Zechariah Goh.
Performing Collective:
Sacred Connection
As a dancer, your body is a sacred space. Sacred Connection is a dance collective made up of artists who believe in celebrating diverse voices. Bringing different artists to build connection among themselves to develop their practices and create works together.
Title: Cradle of Time
Synopsis:
Looking at then, looking at now, there’s no need for either or, yes or no, love or hate, black or white… It’s a change made, a change done. But change is constant, change is cyclical. So, where to next?
Choreographer:
Kow Xiao Jun
Kow Xiao Jun (XJ)performs, creates and nurtures in the field of dance, theatre and design. Graduated from National University of Singapore (NUS) with Masters of Landscape Architecture and Bachelor of Arts (Architecture), XJ believes Art stems from Truth, Goodness and Beauty. On a lifelong journey of exploration and creation, Xiao Jun seeks to blur boundaries of categorization and labelling in the Arts; and for simplicity to breathe in her craft. XJ has worked with various practitioners and companies: Cake Theatre, P7:1SMA, Jeffrey Tan, Chen Wei(China), Geng Diansheng (China), Tang Chia-yu (USA), Zaini Mohd Tahir, Jalyn Han, Ang Gey Pin(Singapore-Italy) etc.
Musician:
Roy Yuen
Roy obtained the diploma grade (Distinction Award) in the guzheng grading examination in 2013. He clinched the first place in the 2014 National Chinese Music Competition. In 2019, he was awarded the Gold Award in the Nanyang International Music Competition. His performance during the competitions won critical acclaim from the judges.
Roy was also the former guzheng principal of the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra. Throughout his music career, he collaborated with different orchestras, such as with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, NUS Chinese Orchestra and Ding Yi Youth Ensemble. He had also been invited to perform overseas in countries like Japan, Macau, Taiwan, China and the United States.
As an associate artist with the Siong Leng Musical Association, Roy worked closely with the association to explore fusion music with traditional Nanyin music. He also recorded music albums, such as Soul Journey and Nine Songs.
Koh Yu Jie
Koh Yu Jie started learning the erhu at age 9 under the tutelage of renowned erhu master Zhang Yu Ming.
Always seeking to improve her skills, Yu Jie auditioned successfully into the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra (SNYCO) in 2017,
in which she plays the gao hu and participates actively in concerts and projects. In 2019, she was appointed to serve as the orchestra’s co-concert master.
A passionate student of Chinese instrumental music, Yu Jie is currently pursuing a Diploma in Music (majoring in erhu performance) at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.
Cyril Ngai
Graduated from Ngee Ann Secondary School. Graduated from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) with a Diploma in Music, majoring in Er hu. He began his music studies at the age of 9, under the tutelage of Singapore Chinese Orchestra Erhu Musician Zhang bin. Cyril has performed extensively in ensembles and orchestras including the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra (SYNCO) and NAFA Chinese Orchestra.
Since joining SNYCO in 2016 as a Zhong hu player, he has performed regularly with the orchestra and participated in the orchestra’s overseas exchange trip to Beijing and Shang hai in 2017.
In the same year, he also participated in the Macao Youth Music Festival and has benefited greatly from the various learning and
performing opportunities presented to members of the orchestra. Also invited to play for Ding Yi Master pieces by Peng Xiu wen and Ding Yi Chinese Chamber Music Festival 2019.
In 2018, he was awarded the 2nd prize in the Er hu Youth Category of the National Chinese Music Competition Co-organised by the National Arts Council and Singapore Chinese Orchestra Company Limited.
