Singapore has a vibrant dance scene, and its diverse ethnic cultures influence the forms and movements of local dance practitioners. There are various dance schools and companies in Singapore, from Malay folk dance groups to classical Indian dance troupes.
The arts have played an important role in the development of choreography Singapore. During its colonial period, the government encouraged the preservation and development of local dance traditions. This was done by establishing dance schools and troupes, such as Sriwana and Bhaskar Arts Academy.
These dance schools, and the artists they trained, helped shape the identity of Singaporean dancing. This often involved balancing the influence of Western dance with traditional and indigenous dance forms.
This was a struggle that has continued throughout Singapore’s history.
In recent years, the emergence of Singapore’s thriving performing arts scene has given rise to new choreographers and dancers. Some of these are artists from various backgrounds, but their common thread is that they work on challenging and transforming the way we see and experience the world through dance.
One such artist is Gerard Raj. He is a Singaporean dancer and choreographer with a background in ballet. He has choreographed various Singaporean and Asian dance performances, such as the National Theatre’s “Surya” in 2010.
Another choreographer is Master Derek Seong, an artist with a strong background in jazz and contemporary dance. Having lost his mother to cancer in 2016, he used to dance to pay tribute to her life and her impact on him.
He started Dancescape (Singapore) in 2007 and is a full-time choreographer and dance educator. He aims to provide dance education and training to everyone passionate about the art form.
Converge Studios offers more than fifty open classes weekly to suit any dancer’s needs. The studio also has a community of professional instructors who run hip-hop, jazz-funk, Bollywood, and urban fusion classes.
Gerard Raj has over 12 years of dancing and teaching experience in his professional career and community. His primary style is to create a sense of movement and expression with dancers through his unique teaching methods.
In addition, Gerard is a creative thinker who seeks to create movement and narrative with his choreography. He believes in using his creativity and talent to impact the world through dance.
He teaches many dance styles in his weekly classes, including contemporary, jazz, and lyrical, as well as improvisational pieces, to help the students become more flexible and adaptable to different situations. In addition, he specializes in choreographing for public events such as flash mob activations and stage shows.
Having worked with some of the top entertainment choreography Singapore, Gerard has had the opportunity to choreograph weddings and sangeets around the Asia Pacific. He is experienced in bringing together all aspects of the wedding and helping to set the right theme for the celebrations.