Fashion and Dance: Geometry in Motion

This is a piece created for a fashion launch of the collections of my talented designer friend, Pearly Wong. http://pearlywong.co/

Event page: http://minutspaceinit.blogspot.com/2013/03/minut-init-x-pearly-wong-info.html



Unfortunately, the final piece was not recorded, but here it is...

Dancing Now We Are Free a.k.a. Into The Wind

So, after much hiatus, I now present to you, my latest solo piece, Into The Wind.
Enjoy...

Dances of Nature: Let Me Help You Realise Your Dream

Now, I'm not much of a producer. At most, I can plan, choreograph, direct, teach, polish, basically putting up everything from scratch - student up.

My job, as a teacher, is to take a newbie, who is passionate and has some talent, and bring him/her up to a performance level within my choreography, or beyond.

Constraints are actually fun to work with - What I am asked to do, what limitations we have, what requirements to meet - with that, I work out something that is good for all, and makes everyone happy. Like give me a theme, give me a number of people to work with, give me the things you would like to have in, even throw in a few music you would like to see danced to (no, don't do that, let me sleep over that one)  - and I'll whip something out for you.

I've been brewing this idea in my mind for a long time, to choreograph a collection of dances that revolves around natural elements, or better still, a full length storyline. After all, it has been my inspiration, and a running theme in may of my works thus far.

So yea, my heart is eager to create something beautiful, something that reminds people of the wonders and serenity of nature, to continue to cherish it, because there is so much magic around us.

So, tell me. I want to work with you. I want to work with your students. I want to fit your requirements. Just throw them to me. I want to see what I can do. Ok?

Contact: movenphil@gmail.com

Alright, take care, bye!

New Works To Come, And Future Plans

Am currently working on 2 new solos:

1. With the Wind

Inspired by my trip to Greece, with the wonderful winds of Meltemi in the summer, I hear the voices of a beautiful song in my head, and with that, I was inspired to just fly, with the winds, in my very special piece. Coming out in May.

2. This would be a specially commisioned piece for my dear friend Pearly, an avant-garde a fashion designer, showing off her piece at her exhibition event at Minut Init.

Apart from that, I am also planning on a production, with nature themed choreography, possibly reworking some old works as well as adding in new ones. It would be made up of contemporary dance and improvisational pieces.

I love, love love, to choreograph for people, and I wish for it to be something that can help me nurture and inspire dancers in the process, for it to open up opportunities to all sorts of dancers, including amateurs, late beginners/intermediate dancers to perform. If things work out smoothly, it will happen at the end of the year.


I will start conducting auditions once more things are confirmed. Until then, if you are highly enthusiastic to participate, stay tuned by emailing movenphil@gmail.com or like my facebook page.

Until next time, love.

You Want Change

You certainly want change.

If you're not living a GREAT life, if you're not actively contributing to society, if you're not doing meaningful work, if you're not having an abundance of material wealth, if you're not experiencing spiritual peace and alignment, if you're not healthy and fit, if you don't feel loved and have so much love for what you do and the people around you, if your environment is not wholesomely beautiful, you will WANT change.

But not many people make it to change. Everyone knows what they want to do, should have done, should be doing, the right thing to do, but so few actually stepped it up and do it anyway - giving a multitude of excuses to yourself. You know what they are.

Lets get honest. You also know how to change it. You're just not willing to take the effort.

So few are willing to accept who their true self is. So few are willing to answer that call, to do what is right to do, that voice that keeps calling behind their ears, in their hearts, in our hearts.

We know what to do. Yet we don't do it. Excuses. Why?

Because it is easy to deny. Because change takes effort. Doing the right thing takes effort. It is too much trouble. It was well worth it, but we are too lazy anyway.

Let's face it, we are all guilty of it.

Try it: Let's just listen to it for once. Let's just get up and do the right thing for once. See what happens. And then another, and then another. It will certainly lead to a very different place.

I'm sure.

How to Really Jazz It Up...

Speaking of jazz, tap, broadway musicals and the like...

Do you love watching them? They surely are enjoyable, and a good show never fails to put a smile on your face!

But what makes a great jazz dancer?

You probably have a few jazz/musical dance performance you have in mind that was memorable and enjoyable, and if you are a dance student, may have tried doing.

In a lively number, the dancers would carry a disposition of happiness, joyousness, playfulness, showing how carefree they are with wide-open arms, opening their hearts with big smiles on their faces.

With the ladies, it's always with at least abit more sassy-sauciness, hinting how naughty and playful they are, teasing both the audience and the performing counterparts confidently, leaving everyone hanging on to their fingertips.

When I needed to choreograph a Singing In The Rain piece for my school concert, I started by watching the movie clip from youtube, and I instantly fell in love with the song, the dance, but most of all, Gene Kelly's charm and enthusiasm. Needless to say, it instantly puts a smile on my face. I knew that I would love to choreograph it, and that the kids would enjoy dancing to it.

Gene Kelly singing in the rain...

In a dance that requires movements to be BIG and expressions are BIG, it is easy to go overboard with doing too much, (although in musicals, the levels of acceptance are pushed a little further than others, as expressions are occasionally exaggerated for effect).

But a how does a good performer do BIG, without going overboard?

it stays true to emotions - meaning, instead of just a "blown up" kind of expression, it is instead an honest form of expression, like how a child or a baby would act, when overcame with glee.

But you might notice as well, that good performers are able to act out very subtly, those genuine moments of ease and calm, amist the all excitement - using a day-to-day gesture, a wink, an eyebrow raised, a smile - but secretly impregnanting the moment with anticipation, bulding up the pace for that one high point.

When I showed my student's this video, the saw a whole new level of enthusiasm! They noticed how playful he was and how he happy he is, finding new love and all. It truly conveys the meaning of "the joy of dance."

So, if you wanna do jazz, perhaps, you may ask yourselves these questions:
1. Do you dare to be BIG and stand out?
2. Do you dare to be different, be brave and be playful?
3. Can you embody that happy disposition, put on a smile on your face that is as bright as the sun?
4. Are you a happy person? Can you be happy in your mind, in your core, all through your hands and feet, and in all the muscles on your face, from your heart and through your eyes?

C'mon with the rain,

I've a smile on my face...

 

Until next time, happy dancing... :)

Reflecting on Short+Sweet Dance - Her Story: A Conversation

The strenuous week has ended, all the practices, rehearsals and preperations are finally over, and the bitter sweet after-taste of having done something together with this group of people. We don't know yet who will be able to make it to the Gala Night, but I am finally able to find the time to reflect on this wonderful journey of delivering my dance in Short+Sweet, entitled Her Story: A Conversation.



Why...

My first intention of joining this friendly competition was to showcase my work to a wider audience, experiement with a blend of styles from different people, forcing myself to come out with a work which includes myself and other people, and hopefully gain some experience into becoming a better dancer, a better choreographer, a better person.

Why Her Story: A Conversation?

Well, it all started off with an idea to create a dance for myself, and 2 other friends of mine, each from a different dance background, with the intention of telling our own story, in our own unique way.

It was meant to be an experimentation of sorts, blending with the different unique styles of each individual, playing with group dynamics.

Me and my dear friend, we had good chemistry dancing together, and having done so for more than a year, I would really love to put out something I can craft especially for us. But unfortunately, an unexpected turn of events have forced us to part ways. I really missed those times, but perhaps it was just not meant to be. Soon, my other friend decided to withdraw herself as well, and I was left with well... myself. What story am I going to tell?

So fate has brought me together with 3 new dancers, which I got to know from the open audition. All from different backgrounds, one which has little dance training, all have no experience in contemporary dance or improvisation - the style in which I intend to work with. Nevertheless, I decided to go ahead with the idea, attempt to learn more about these people and of their style of dance, to see what I can come out with.

And so, It began with a conversation...

Her Story... because it's a girly thing, talking about what its like to be us, sharing our story.

A Conversation... because everyone has different opinions in life, and different ways of presenting their thoughts and feelings. How would these different dynamics interact with each other?


The process...

What story am I going to tell, what outcome was it going to be, I did not know.
From our first practice together, I have experimented with different improvisation exercises to bring out each dancer's unique language, their movement vocabulary, and also the characters that they embody within them. I believe that movements should be authentic. That dance should not be mere steps to memorise, but more of a communication of our emotions and thoughts inside.

Drawing experiences from my own training in contemporary dance and improvisation, plus the workshops I have attended in creative movements and in butoh, along with my appreciation for different types of music and movements, I worked with the layers of storyline and characterisations, drawing from my own experiences and my life story - a story which continues to unfold itself towards the end of this journey.


Pushing the limits...

It was a pleasant start at the begining of our practices as I was having end of academic year break at my school, so I had plenty of time to think things through, to work out my choreography and music choice as I recover from the school's arduous year-end concert. In between that, I was just keeping myself busy with other activities and plans, aside from my weekly contemporary class, and actually managed to spend alot of time doing tango. We were having rehearsals twice a week, one on a weekday and the other on a Sunday, which we are fortunately able to put together despite the busy schedules of my fellow dancers.

But it all starts to get a little overwhelming when school began in September. After having rested for a whole month, my body is not quite used to the strain of dancing all day, all week. It was physically exhausting, but I still manage to cope, along with Tuesday tangos and practicas, Friday milongas, and contemporary class on Thursdays. I also had additional CCA to teach now. Kept myself really busy for the whole month, trying my best to stay strong. The deadline is approaching, but it feels like I'm yet to be ready.

It took me a while to decide on and finalise the song choice. Over the last 2 weeks of practice, I find myself spending extra time to work one on one with my dancers and adjusting certain parts to suit my dancers better as I learn more about them. Desperately needed more sleep. No time for tango now.

On my side, I was also doing alot of reading and soul-searching, for various reasons, but it all adds up to the equation.

28 September 2011 was an amazing day, body wise. It was the day I had discovered certain muscles that helps with my posture, and almost like magic, I have realigned my hip joint-pelvis-lower abdomen. It was an experience of joy, having found the right alignment for my body, and especially around this area which has hindered with my dancing in many ways. I wasn't sure it was going to last. My teacher said I should continue practicing. It was a Wednesday, one week left to our show. I was delighted at how my body moved differently with this new-found posture, which comes with a new feeling of control and freedom. My limbs moved with ease, I feel so large like I own the world. But then again, on the following Monday, I woke up in horror to find that my hips dropping back to where it was before. I spend the rest of the day trying to realign it back again. I'm not sure if it is the same as how it was on Wednesday, but I guess I understood what it means by having to continue practicing. The muscles are not strong yet, and probably gaining a few extra pounds from the heavy meals over the weekend doesn't help. Fortunately, I am able to get it back up, and I can go back to practicing my usual stuff again.

Mentally, I am starting to feel lethargic with all the things I need to work on, including the maddening task of getting the costumes done. With the shopping, finding tailors, figuring out how to make the design work, I ended up with no choice by to do it myself, a la Project Runway, and 4 pieces at that! Thank alot to my Mei Sin and my mom who helped with the sewing, but I swear to never to this again. At least not 4 of them. By Monday, I managed to get most of the sewing done except for 1 little part. Myself and 2 of my dancers worked together to stick sequins on them, hopefully to glam it up for the stage.

So, when the mind is tired, emotions starts to crumble too. I was begining to feel inferior and uncertain as the dates draw closer. I was afraid that I've done would not be good enough. As much as my friends and family give their support and encourage me, it couldn't help when my self-esteem hits rock bottom after our tech rehearsal on Monday. I wish I could just dig a hole in the ground and disappear into it...

By Tuesday, I decided that I couldn't go on like this anymore... that if not for the fact that I've spent too much effort into the costumes and having other dancers to be answerable to, I would be tempted to withdraw in the last minute. I gave a call to my coach, hopefully she would be able to help with this emergency. One thing she said that finally managed to put my mind back into place was that I should be focusing on me, my music and my dance...

Just me, my music and my dance...

This phrase saved my life. I can be no further from the truth, that my dance should be just that - me, my music, and my dance. That all this panicking was the result of focusing too much on the competition, what would the judges think, what would the audiences think... forgetting that, when I am able to put all of myself out there, I would have done my best, just like how I have did before. That I have done this before, I have moved my audiences before, and I am going to do it again, with my dance now. One of my dancers did mention too, that it would be too late to change anything now, for what we put on stage, would be what we remembered from what we have practiced for so long. And that the dance should be danced just the way it was meant to be danced. No fancy moves just for the sake of fancy moves and what not.

And so, Tuesday night rehearsal, I bring myself back up, believe in what I am here to do, on our dress rehearsal day.


Showtime...

The first day started off okay, my energy was there, though with parts I think I could do better. I felt more sure of myself on the day before, but it was all good, cos of the support by beloved friends. They even bought me a bouquet of flowers to show how much they love me. Ofcourse, they made me feel like a star already! It would have been fun to go off and party with them after the show is over, but we still have 3 more night to go, and I have to salvage what little sleep time I have left. But it was tonnes of pressure lifted off my shoulder.

This routine proved to be strenuous as lethargy sets in on day 2, and by day 3, I was drawing from what little inch of energy I have left in my body and mind. Supporters continue to pour in, though in smaller droves compared to the first night. We know you guys love us no matter what, and we love you too, bu I can't wait for the Friday night to sleep through and recharge my mind and my body and prepare for the Saturday.

Saturday would've been THE day, with tickets being sold out, and the attendance of my family, colleague, students, fellow dance mate, and as I later discovered - an unexpected ex-student who came just to see me! I have tried to prepare myself and my dancers in many ways over the past couple of days, hoping to be able bring up the energy as a group. But I felt like my dancing has become stale. Its meaning, shallowed, and my sensitivity to the music subdued. The dance has lost its life... So tonight, I feel that I have to do my dance justice by telling its story, from deep down my heart - the same way I have done before in the past, but have not yet done in this competition. I began to listen to music usually moves me from deep down. I let my heart guide me as to what music to choose, and I let my movements flow with it when I was warming up. By the time I get to the core of it, I began so sob uncontrollably. Perhaps, there is still the pain unsettled that is to be told in my story... so much for the joy I thought I have found, I fell back to where I was still missing out on, because it is where I really am right now. But I loved how my body was working. It flows freely with the music, it was balanced, it was strong. I stand tall. And when your grand battements are effortless, you know you're doing it right.

With this, I brought my pain, my longing, my passion and hopes for the future, right onto the stage, and gave a new meaning to my movements again. So much for being syok sendiri, dancing in a way my dancers have not seen me danced before, I knew I have given my all, done all I could, and I have no more fear or regrets by the time this is over.


Fulfilling my objective...

I have done my best, though it may not be the best of my best...

I managed to present my work and my dance to a whole new group of audience... which was my original intention.

I took a risk by doing this experiment, applying the things I have learned, working with a whole new group of people, who are very different from me, with pleasant results... so I'm happy about it...

I have learned a whole lot of stuffs, working with people, working on things, technical, artistic, what a choreographer must do to fulfill a task...

I have pushed my body to a limit I have not seen since my short course at Aswara beginning of this year.

I have pushed my time, my energy, my mind, my emotions... hopefully to new levels of strengths and endurance.

And finally, I have relearned about myself, of what I can or cannot do, of how my dance should be.


Despite the many times I asked myself... "What have I gotten myself into?" I'm glad I managed to push through. I got what I've bargained for, perhaps a little more. Who knows what the future lies... but for now, I'd just love to incubate for awhile, let it all settle in, before I can squeeze for my creative juices again. And for all participants for Week 2, I wish you all the best too.


(Thanks and much love to my dear sister for helping put this wonderful synopsis together...)

A girl. A journey of finding life, love, friendship and sisterhood.


One true self, finding herself with three new sisters. How would she tell her story?


It began with a conversation…


Signing out now,

Cheers.

Performance at Core Design Gallery

Recently done a performance at Core Design Gallery for their opening for their Surreallusion (Surreal Illusion) art exhibition.

Here's a newly choreographed piece for their theme, called The Time Traveller.

And the Tree made an appearance!

Quite different this time though...

Anyway, it was an interesting opportunity to perform to a different crowd - artists - in an art gallery.

And thanks alot to Scarlette and everyone at Core Design Gallery for their wonderful support, assistance and uploads.

Do visit their website or facebook page for more info and latest updates on art exhibits, services and workshops.

The Tree of Life

The Tree of Life is my original solo dance composition. Created mid last year, it has evolved through different stages of emotional and movement discovery over the course of a few rehearsals and performances. Even it's costume has grown bit by bit!

While the dance centres around the life of a tree, I believe that its story reflects some emotions that we can all relate to as human beings.

The dance is set to the Avatar soundtrack music, The Bioluminescence of the Night which runs for 3 and a half minutes. The movements are 3 dimensional while it is danced in stationary.

I am currently working on the second part of the dance and I hope to be able to share this dance with you.