Classes and Workshops
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned dance professional, come immerse yourself in our curated list of classes and workshops that will expose you to a diverse range of artistic practices and styles.
Come face-to-face with our Festival artists who present workshops that complement and offer deeper insights into their upcoming performances at the Festival.
This year’s lineup includes a summer intensive with T.H.E Dance Company where participants will get to experience Artistic Director Kuik Swee Boon’s Hollow Body methodology and learn from T.H.E’s repertoire. Former Sankai Juku artist Nobuyoshi Asai conducts a Butoh workshop while Australian artists Gavin Webber and Kayah Guenther from The Farm will lead a workshop examining what lies behind our desire to dance.
1.5-hour sessions
Standard: $23 | Concession: $15
3-hour sessions
Standard: $65 | Concession: $45
Breathing & Moving the Centre-point
DATE / TIME
Sat 6 Jun, 10am - 11:30am
Sun 7 Jun, 10am - 11:30am
CONDUCTED BY
Kwon Hyuk
LEVEL
B/I
This class aims to help participants identify their body’s centre of gravity, to move it freely through the use of breathing. Choreographer, Kwon Hyuk, will bring participants through certain movements, and different ways of breathing, training participants in the movement of their centre of gravity.
The classes begin by exploring the centre of the body. Each individual has a different centre point, and will explore different mechanisms of moving this point. Transformation of the basic form of the body to a new form occurs through the movement of the centre point.
This class focuses on the body, not fancy techniques and showy movements, to create movement that comes from within.
Sensing through Movement
DATE / TIME
Sat 6 Jun, 12pm - 1:30pm
CONDUCTED BY
Marcus Foo
LEVEL
I/A
In this class, participants will work through movement centred around “push and pull”, observing the sensations of those actions, and studying different variations and intensities of a push or pull within set phrases.
Moving from the inside out: a released based technique class
DATE / TIME
Sat 6 Jun, 2:30pm - 4pm
CONDUCTED BY
Wayne Ong & Leia Ang
LEVEL
I/A
Applying principles of the modern/post-modern dance techniques, this class is designed with space for bodies to explore movement with the anatomical and somatic perspectives. It will bring you traditionally from the floor - experimenting useful connections of your body-halves, your spine, and between your bodies with the floor, to translating these findings to the vertical, and finally, to applying your discoveries on the more dynamic combinations.
MoDem Workshop
DATE / TIME
Sun 7 Jun, 10am - 1pm
CONDUCTED BY
Roberto ZappalÃ
LEVEL
A/P
MoDem is the choreographic language developed by Roberto Zappalà for Compagnia Zappalà Danza. The concept behind the workshop is found in “Omnia Corpora�, an essay written by the choreographer himself including the considerations and thoughts concerning his approach to choreography, as well as notes and principles on the construction of his creations.
The most physical part of the workshop involves empowering both body and mind through powerful muscular work. The choreographer’s language is based on simple criteria: the connection to the flux, and to harmonies that the body develops, thanks to a methodology hinged upon group interaction.
Joints and body sections are selected and stimulated through a process aimed at exploring the countless possibilities possessed by the limbs in order to investigate, reimagine, and multiply the body’s inner potential.
The visceral body is a key element in Zappalà ’s work, as with instinct, that identifies apparent imperfections. Instinct and imperfection, together, are added values to movement in the choreographer’s vocabulary.
Image by
Compagnia Zappalà Danza
Class by Syimah Sabtu
DATE / TIME
Tue 9 Jun, 10am - 1pm
CONDUCTED BY
Syimah Sabtu
LEVEL
B/I
Description coming soon…
Body Transformation
DATE / TIME
Tue 9 Jun, 12pm - 1:30pm
CONDUCTED BY
Adele Goh
LEVEL
I/A
The class will encourage efficiency and dynamic range in movement using images, somatic techniques, improvisation, music, shared energy and collaboration with our bodies’ resources and physical laws in space. Through this, we will allow our body to become more performative and movement to become instinctive.
Catching Ephemerality
DATE / TIME
Tue 9 Jun, 2:30pm - 4pm
CONDUCTED BY
Anthea Seah
LEVEL
A/P
A technique class focused on creating and playing within sensorial physicality
Timang Asli
DATE / TIME
Wed 10 Jun, 10am - 11:30am
CONDUCTED BY
Hasyimah Harith
LEVEL
B/I
This dance workshop is a guided approach to form and philosophy of Tari Asli Kuala Deli, one of the Malay traditional dance forms in Singapore. Through embodying the dance form, we will listen to the body and experience the physical sensations of ‘timang’, such as breath, buoyancy and sensuality.
The intent is to share intangible local wisdom of Malay dance that may characterise our Singapore Malay community; reframing traditional wisdom as tools of collective soothing in the contemporary context .
Company Class by Compagnia Zappalà Danza
DATE / TIME
Wed 10 Jun, 12pm - 1:30pm
CONDUCTED BY
Compagnia Zappalà Danza
LEVEL
A/P
Description coming soon…
Happy Body
DATE / TIME
Thu 11 Jun, 10am - 11:30am (B/I)
Thu 11 Jun, 12pm - 1:30pm (A/P)
CONDUCTED BY
Ravid Abarbanel
LEVEL
B/I
A/P
This class is geared towards getting in touch with the body while listening and being influenced by the people around us. Influenced from visualisation, improvisation and various technical forms, students will work on mind-body connection and versatility while aiming to build a community of listening and participation in the dance studio. Participants will push their physicality through a series of movements meant to work on coordination and finding efficiency and joy. The class then moves towards movement generation, durational practice, and finding and getting in touch with the body’s senses, emotions and capacity.
Image by German Anton.
Butoh Workshop
DATE / TIME
Fri 12 Jun, 10am - 1pm
Sat 13 Jun, 10am - 1pm
CONDUCTED BY
Nobuyoshi Asai
LEVEL
Open
The Sankai Juku’s Butoh is different from that of Hijikata Tatsumi or Ohno Kazuo. It has its own stylistic beauty. Based on Sankai Juko’s Butoh, Nobuyoshi Asai will bring participants through a dialogue with gravity in relation to the body, including the following exercises:
- Noguchi Taiso
- Walking training / Suri-ashi (shuffling) - Wave movement
- Movement initiated by breathing
- Dialogue with gravity
- Tension and relaxation
- Rhythm exercise
A Little Train in the Back
DATE / TIME
Fri 12 Jun, 2pm - 3:30pm
CONDUCTED BY
Alice Ma
LEVEL
I/A
Explore the movement of the spine through improvisation and exercises. The class will involve both working individually and with partners. The spine is just like a long train with twenty-four cabins, each of which is closely linked. It can bring us to different places and angles. Everyone has a unique ‘train’ in our body, and it is always fun to play with it.
Class by Olé Khamchanla
DATE / TIME
Fri 12 Jun, 4pm - 5:30pm
CONDUCTED BY
Olé Khamchanla
LEVEL
I/A
The dancers are trained in the techniques and vocabulary of the choreographer, Olé Khamchanla. They explore his working methods and his creative process, using these materials to explore and inform their own artistic research.
The class’ warm-up consists of exercises that prepares the body for the corporeality of his dance, beginning the artistic research. Following that, participants will be taken through different techniques, the movements and marriages of the different techniques that forge his dance styles, from hip hop to contemporary, to traditional dances from South Asia.
Through different technical exercises along with moments of improvisation, he shares an experimental approach to the exploration of body states and energies, as well as his working methods in the creation of his own dance vocabulary.
The workshop closes with a group composition work created by the participants under the aegis of the choreographer.
Korean Contemporary Dance Movement
DATE / TIME
Sat 13 Jun, 2pm - 3:30pm
CONDUCTED BY
Jung Bokyung
LEVEL
I/A
This class explores the senses of the body through a modern interpretation of Korean dance. You can experience the expansion of movement through the center of gravity, starting with the change of natural movement commonly used in the breathing technique of Korean dance.
Class by Ji Kyungmin
DATE / TIME
Sat 13 Jun, 4pm - 5:30pm
CONDUCTED BY
Ji Kyungmin
LEVEL
I/A
Description coming soon…
Physical Strengthening
DATE / TIME
Sun 14 Jun, 10am - 11:30am
CONDUCTED BY
Ruby Jayaseelan
LEVEL
B/I
This 90 minute class aims to increase strength, agility, and endurance in participants – using techniques from traditional Eastern forms such as Yoga, Bharathanatyam, Odissi, Wayang Wong, Kalaripayattu and Chhau, amongst others. The focus will be on physical, mental, and psychological flexibility and power, to heighten the participant’s technique and performance in their own crafts. These sessions are highly recommended for physical practitioners, but are open to all participants at an intermediate level of fitness.
Ruby is a movement artist trained in Eastern dance and drama. To increase strength, agility, and endurance, Ruby focuses on mindful body movement. Specifically, the control and attentiveness of different body parts, groundedness within the body, and effective breathing. Her training methods will include floor stretches, balance exercises, yoga postures, breathing techniques, and more.
Class by Fabio Liberti
DATE / TIME
Sun 14 Jun, 12pm - 1:30pm
CONDUCTED BY
Fabio Liberti
LEVEL
I/A
Description coming soon…
Kinetic Listening & Contemporary Movement Creation
DATE / TIME
Sun 14 Jun, 2:30pm - 4pm
CONDUCTED BY
Rebecca Margolick
LEVEL
I/A
The class is geared towards getting in touch with the body while listening and being influenced by the people around us. Influenced from visualisation, improvisation and various technical forms, Rebecca will work on mind-body connection and versatility while aiming to build a community through listening and participation in the dance studio. Participants will push their physicality through a series of movements meant to work on coordination and finding efficiency and joy in effort. The class then moves towards movement generation, durational practice and finding and getting in touch with the body’s senses, emotions and capacity.
Exploring Our Body Map of Lines and Spirals in Movement
DATE / TIME
Sat 20 Jun, 10am - 11:30am
CONDUCTED BY
Goh Jia Yin
LEVEL
B/I
A visualisation of the body mapped out in lines and spirals will facilitate our movement exploration. We will use this body map as a tool to warm up the muscles and joints in all planes of movement, and take it into movement phrases and explorative tasks.
Finding Nuances through Choreographies
DATE / TIME
Sat 20 Jun, 12pm - 1:30pm
CONDUCTED BY
Goh Shou Yi
LEVEL
I/A
The content of this class will consist purely of movement phrases and choreographies. Exploring complex coordination, participants will be encouraged to articulate their physical forms through the use of spine and joints. A physically demanding class that encourages continuous movements – dance first and think later.
A Creative Approach Using “10^-6 into the SKIN� as key concepts.
DATE / TIME
Sun 21 Jun, 10am - 11:30am
CONDUCTED BY
Tan Sen Cai
LEVEL
I/A
The class will start off in phases, exploring the many possibilities of the body in terms of movement, state, and imagination. The participants will have a chance to experience the key concepts of the work in 10-6 into the SKIN by using these concepts as tools to transform and create their own works.
Circularity in Motion
DATE / TIME
Sun 21 Jun, 12pm - 1:30pm
CONDUCTED BY
Jackie Ong
LEVEL
I/A
Heavily influenced by a few significant teachers in Jackie’s exploration into dance, this exercise-based class will cover the usual practices of most contemporary classes, starting from floor and working upwards. The class will emphasise on working around the idea of circularity - harnessing the concept of ‘one breath’. We explore the idea that the body is in constant motion and the body converts one’s energy into another to find ease in movements.
Listen, Flow and Connect
DATE / TIME
Mon 22 Jun, 10am - 11:30am
CONDUCTED BY
Brandon Khoo
LEVEL
A/P
A journey allowing you to listen and find connection through articulation of the body.
Moving Softly
DATE / TIME
Tue 23 Jun, 10am - 11:30am
CONDUCTED BY
Nah Jieying
LEVEL
A/P
The release technique class explores how one can find strength in movement originating from the basic idea of softness and fluidity.
Groove and Dynamics
DATE / TIME
Wed 24 Jun, 10am - 11:30am
CONDUCTED BY
Klievert Jon Mendoza
LEVEL
A/P
Pushing physical boundaries whilst getting to enjoy and keep up with current trends.
Awareness, Control and Play
DATE / TIME
Thu 25 Jun, 10am - 11:30am
CONDUCTED BY
Ng Zu You
LEVEL
A/P
Using elements of training from contemporary dance, Chinese dance and acrobatics, this class will allow students to develop sensitivity in the joints and muscles of the body, as well as strength and clarity in executing dynamic and explosive movements.
Catching Ephemerality
DATE / TIME
Fri 26 Jun, 1pm - 2:30pm
CONDUCTED BY
Anthea Seah
LEVEL
A/P
A technique class focused on creating and playing within sensorial physicality
Awareness, Control and Play
DATE / TIME
Sat 27 Jun, 1pm - 2:30pm
CONDUCTED BY
Ng Zu You
LEVEL
A/P
Using elements of training from contemporary dance, Chinese dance and acrobatics, this class will allow students to develop sensitivity in the joints and muscles of the body, as well as strength and clarity in executing dynamic and explosive movements.
What’s Behind You?
DATE / TIME
Thu 24 Jun, 2pm - 5pm
Fri 25 Jun, 12:30pm - 3:30pm
CONDUCTED BY
Gavin Webber & Kayah Guenther
LEVEL
All
This workshop will investigate why you dance, what you have to say, how you say it and how to communicate and exchange energy with another. Based on ideas from The Crossing, the workshop is led by Gavin Webber and Kayah Guenther to research what lies behind our desire to dance. Using improvisation and the motivation behind movement, we will follow Kayah’s impulses, a young dancer with Down Syndrome, as he expresses his inner world through his physical and energetic body. Together these two dancers will share the journey they have made in their collaborative partnership to encourage a similarly bold and expansive communication among others.
As part of the Festival’s efforts to promote the accessibility of contemporary dance, this workshop welcomes persons with disabilities.
Hollow Body Workshop
DATE / TIME
Sun 28 Jun, 12:30pm - 3:30pm
CONDUCTED BY
Kuik Swee Boon
LEVEL
A/P
Festival Director Kuik Swee Boon will give you a firsthand experience of “Hollow Body� and a glimpse of the company’s repertoire.
With a unique brand of highly physical and kinetic works, T.H.E Dance Company is one that digs deep into the universal human experience. At the heart of its works lies a connection with heritage and collective history as Singaporeans, juxtaposed with incisive, insightful observations on modern society: elements that set apart the company’s repertoire of original creations.
A continual pursuit of authentic expression led Artistic Director, Kuik Swee Boon, to initiate the “Hollow Body� methodology. This methodology is now part of the company artists’ daily training towards becoming all-rounded performers who convey the essence of their identity and lived experiences through the full spectrum of physical, emotional, philosophical and meaningful expression.