TRANSCENDance 2024

SINGAPORE CHINESE GIRLS’ SCHOOL DANCE GROUP PRESENTS

TRANSCENDance

50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION SCGS KHOO AUDITORIUM 11 MAY 2024 1.00PM - MATINEE 5.30PM - GALA GUEST-OF-HONOUR: MS JENNIE CHUA

Dance Department DANCE ADVISOR SUBJECT HEAD OF DANCE HEAD OF AESTHETICS DEPARTMENT (PRIMARY) SUBJECT HEAD OF AESTHETICS (SECONDARY) TEACHERS-IN-CHARGE (PRIMARY)

TEACHERS-IN-CHARGE (SECONDARY) CCA INSTRUCTORS

ENRICHMENT TEACHERS

PIANIST DANCE ENRICHMENT ADMINISTRATIVE EXECUTIVE WARDROBE TEAM CONCERT PRODUCTION TEAM

Mrs Jean Chan Ms Vanessa Dewi Harijanto Mrs Ng Wen Tirng Mr Shaun Ho Mdm Lai Huey Yuen Ms Leng Yip Mrs Nadiah Mounir Ms Heng Siew Joo Ms Yea Jie’r Ms Didi Lau Mdm Zou Yi Mdm Zhao Yiming Ms Jilyn Tee (Ballet) Ms Aw Xin Fang (Ballet) Ms Ng Yun Jie (Tap) Ms Cheong Sook Fun Ms Judy Aw Mrs Joanne Ng (Auntie Joanne) Ms Ng Soo Kee (Auntie Kee) Mr Kelvin Tan Mr Wong Hong Yeow Miss Stacy Lim Miss Eleanor Cheak

Principal’’s Message This year, Singapore Chinese Girls' School celebrates 125 years with the theme "Welcome Home".

After years of social distancing due to safety measures, we have had limited opportunities to reunite the SCGS family. Our 125th Anniversary celebrations are the perfect moment to reconnect and celebrate our school's rich history together.

One of the key events in our series of celebrations is TRANSCENDance, the first SCGS dance concert since the COVID-19 pandemic. TRANSCENDance represents how dance at SCGS transcends linguistic, cultural, and generational boundaries. Beyond the physical skill and visual beauty, the SCGS Dance Group embodies values that enrich the lives of our students, from selfexpression to discipline and building connections with others.

This concert also commemorates 50 years of SCGS's Dance history and honors Mrs Jean Chan for her years of dedication to the school's dance programme. Mrs Chan, a trained ballet dancer, founded the Dance Group in 1974 with the support of then-Principal Miss Tan Sock Kern. For five decades, the Dance Group has navigated both smooth and challenging times, demonstrating the enduring power of movement and artistic expression. Today's performance reflects this legacy, bringing together dancers of all ages on one stage to showcase their shared passion for dance.

This production involves 150 dancers from our Primary and Secondary divisions, as well as Alumni. We are incredibly proud of the hard work and commitment our students have shown in preparing for TRANSCENDance.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated team of instructors, choreographers, teachers, staff, volunteers, creative, production, and technical teams for their belief in this project and for making it possible. We also appreciate our Guest-of-Honour, Ms Jennie Chua, for taking the time to join us, as well as the SCGS Board, Alumni, parents, and partners for their unwavering support in creating a memorable event.

Finally, we are grateful to you for being here with us today. Your presence is an encouragement to all of us. We hope you enjoy the show!

Mrs Linda Chan

Programme Golden Jubilee Parade O v e r t h e M o u n t a i n s a n d t h e R i v e r s 山水间 I W a n t Y o u r L o v e 我要你的爱 Excerpts from Esmeralda Lotus 莲 Rubber Duckie Peranakan Flavours

May Gathering D a w n o f S p r i n g 踏春 Sweet Nightmare Montage One Voice Epiphany

Mrs Jean Chan Mrs Jean Chan’s passion for dance began as a pupil of the late Ms Maudrene Yap, a legendary figure in the history of dance in Singapore who, in Mrs Chan’s own words, “... brought unending joy to hundreds of young girls and a few boys in the 1950s” at her school, Maudrene’s School of Dancing.

She was amongst the first group of ballet students in Singapore to take the RAD (Royal Academy of Dancing) Elementary Examinations in 1953. Trained in music as well, Mrs Chan was offered the opportunity to take up a career in dance, but decided to pursue her studies at the then University of Malaya Singapore, from which she graduated with an Honours degree in Economics.

Mrs Chan first joined SCGS as a teacher of English and Literature and introduced dance into the Literary Drama and Debating Society. In 1974, she was tasked by then Principal, Miss Tan Sock Kern, to lead dance as a separate and distinct CCA. Since then, Mrs Chan has guided and inspired the countless dancers under her charge, steering SCGS Dance to ever greater heights.

She is personally very grateful to her own ballet teacher, Ms Maudrene Yap, and other dance teachers, Ms Frances Poh and Mr Vernon Martinus, legendary figures in the history of dance in Singapore, for all they have taught her in dance and in life. She hopes to continue the legacy of her dance teachers “My hope is that our dance programme has not just given birth to good dancers, but good people – that they have taken away lessons of character building, of the need for discipline, perseverance and insight, of an appreciation of teamwork and what others do for them so their dreams can be realised.

It also is a wonderful lesson for them if they can learn to be happy for each other’s success so that while they may vie for particular roles in dance items, they can still be happy for those who auditioned and won the roles and learn their own lesson without running down a rival’s achievement.

I also hope they appreciate a wider world of dance and that even if they stop dancing themselves, they will not cease to appreciate the dance form and the creativity of choreographers and the artistry of dancers. If they grow in their appreciation of what is good and beautiful, they will contribute to making the world a better place. They should believe that they can dream big dreams and make a change among those they live and work with.”

Excerpt from Mrs Jean Chan’s Interview with Mediacorp (October 2020)

Creative Team

Melissa Quek (Alumni, Guest Choreographer)

Ms Melissa Quek (IG: @quek.melissa) is the Head of The School of Dance & Theatre at LASALLE College of the Arts, University of the Arts Singapore. She also leads the Diploma in Dance, where she applies her experience as a choreographer, performer and educator whose interest lies in creating a visceral experience for the audience. With The Kueh Tutus (IG:@thekuehtutus, a collective dedicated to creating dance performances for young audiences, birth to 12 years) Melissa makes works that aim to unlock the imagination.

She has adjudicated at SYF, IBGPS, IAF and Super 24. She has also served on the Arts Fund Committee, various National Arts Council awards, grant and scholarship panels and sometimes writes dance reviews for The Straits Times.

Having spent 10 years of her life in SC dance, Melissa will always be grateful to SCGS, the Dance Group and Mrs Chan for laying the foundation and putting her on the path to keep dancing, creating and contributing to dance in Singapore.

Vanessa Dewi Harijanto An SCGS alumna, Ms Vanessa D Harijanto is a valuable member in the school’s dance programme. Interestingly however, she was not a part of the dance group in her student days. Instead, she was a Brownie and a Girl Guide leader, and was Head Prefect in both Primary and Secondary school.

Pursuing her ballet and modern dance training with Ms Tan Eng Ai outside of the school, Vanessa went on to become an Associate and Registered Teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance. In 2014, Vanessa ‘returned home’ to the school to teach ballet enrichment classes, and slowly added her choreographic contributions to her students’ and dance group’s repertoire. Her involvement in the dance programme has since grown, and she was made Subject Head of Dance in the Secondary school division in 2020.

Vanessa is humbled by the immense trust that Mrs Jean Chan has placed in her with the dance programme, and is extremely appreciative and grateful to the SCGS family for her tremendous hard work and dedication to putting this Golden Jubilee celebration together.

Didi Lau

CreativeTeam

Ms Didi Lau started ballet at the age of four with Ms Doris Thng. She has since been trained in the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus to the Vocational level under the tutelage of Ms Vanessa D Harijanto. At the Royal Academy of Dance UK, she pursued her studies in ballet under the tutelage of Heulwen Price, Maria Rowland, Sarah Daultry and numerous respectable individuals in the industry. She became a RAD Registered Teacher (RTS) after obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Ballet Education.

Being interested in other genres of dance as well, Didi received contemporary training under Mr Zaki Ahmad and Ms Wee Ee Ching, and completed Level 9 of the Al Gilbert Tap syllabus under Ms Susan Thng. Subsequently, she also studied modern dance and choreography during her days at the RAD with Johan Stjernholm, Dennis Wilson and Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel. In addition, under the training of Darcey Bussell, Didi is a qualified instructor of the Diverse Dance Mix (DDMIX) dance fitness programme.

Didi is currently the Head of Junior Dance at the School of Young Talents at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and lends her expertise as a CCA instructor to both the Primary and Secondary school divisions.

Zou Yi Mdm Zou Yi graduated from the Zhejiang Arts Academy with distinction. She furthered her studies in Classical Dance and taught at the Beijing Dance Academy from 1993-1995.

A winner of numerous awards and prizes for dance in China, and a lead performer in dance productions, she also performed internationally in Europe and Asia.

As Senior Teacher in Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts teaching Chinese Dance under the School of Young Talents, Junior Dance Department, she brings to Singapore her talent in nurturing and training young students. She has been a member of the People’s Association Chinese Dance Talent Advisory Panel since 2004.

She joined SCGS (Primary and Secondary) in 2009 and her works have consistently garnered top awards in the Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation.

Zhao Yiming

Creative Team

Mdm Zhao Yiming joined SCGS in 2011. She began her dance training at the age of 7 and later graduated from Shandong College of Arts in 2004. She was offered a scholarship by Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA).

A talented dancer and choreographer, Yiming has attained the highest awards at the Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation and several large-scale arts festivals, as well as clinching multiple awards for her dance pieces.

Yiming is active in the Chinese Dance arena both locally and regionally and is often invited to exchange programs in the region. In addition, Yiming is also invited as Guest Teacher by dance schools in China and Malaysia.

Jilyn Tee Ms Jilyn Tee is a Registered Teacher and Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance, with a BA(Hons) in Dance Education. She completed the RAD grades and vocational with awarded distinctions under the tutelage of esteemed teachers.

In addition to Classical Ballet, she is trained in Jazz, Contemporary and Chinese Dance.

Her experience as a professional dancer for Mediacorp television shows and other local and international events including the Singapore River Festival, Chingay and Shanghai World Expo allows her to share her knowledge with her students.

As a choreographer, Jilyn staged the production “Ethereal” for 111 students in 2017. She has also coached students for ballet competitions such as Asian Grand Prix, Get the Beat and Masterpiece International Ballet Competition.

Her love for the art form has led to a passion for teaching ballet and she currently teaches at several community clubs and the Singapore Chinese Girls’ School.

The Dancers SECONDARY 4S Cherilyn Keh Clara Kywen Yap Edrea Lim Yuqi Emma Choy Rae En* Grace Ong Wen Si Sharmaine Tan Qing Ning* Toh Jia Xuan Alyssa* Vanessa Tan Li Ann Wong Kaylene Yow Yi Fei

Secondary Division Executive Committee: *Emma Choy Rae En, *Toh Jia Xuan Alyssa, *Sharmaine Tan Qing Ning

SECONDARY 3S Alyssa Choo Ting Rui Ashley Tan Si Ying Callista Dominique Setiawan Denise Koh Han Yi Kitamura Emily Syn Kylie Tan Zhi Ting Olivia Cheng Qin Yi Sia Si Jie Kylie Tan Yun Xuan Natalie Teo Kaydes Xu Sining

The Dancers SECONDARY 2S Emily Chow Xin Yi Han Jiaxuan Sarah Janiah Chan Xin Wei Nicole Tan Ong Yu Xuan Janessa Phan Thu Linh Quek Woo Nim Charlene Sherise Lim Rui Xuan Snowy Gay Yi Ling Soh Yuk Yan Arisa Tan See Sui Ariel Vian Neo

SECONDARY 1S Ava Zhi Yu Killick Cara Lim Sui-Yin Cheng Rui Min, Natalie Georgia Lim Jing-Ying Jade Charlotte Wee Jee Woon Jubilee Tan Kaitlin Anne Li Jiahui Leah Ann Mak En Qi Lee Yi Ning Audrey Lim Jin, Emma-Jane Loy Zhi Ting Danielle Myra Chong Jia Yan Tatum Georgelina Leong Valerie Sun Yutong Yew Yun Yu

⼭⽔间

The Dancers

⼭⽔间

CHINESE DANCE (PRIMARY) - OVER THE MOUNTAINS AND THE RIVERS Top row (from left to right): Chen Jia En, Thong Zhan Yi Charlotte, Tee Rui En Hannah, Toh En Yi, Zhu Hangqi, Li Jiayi, Natalie Lin Wenjia Middle row (from left to right): Tan En Min Danielle, Jelyn Tedoen, Lecia Wong Jue Ni, Vera Ho Xin Li, Chua Yu Tong Vivienne, Shee Ke Ying Katie, Leia Chan Jia Yi, Chew Hui Xuan Caslynn, Olivia Tan Bahroocha Bottom row (from left to right): Tan Gabrielle, Queenie Low Yantong, Oh Hui Xin, Eliza Lee Tien Hui, Raeanne Halim, Tan Rei Shan, Amelie Teh, Olivia Mely Mandiro, Hannah Tay Hui Xin

The Dancers

INTERNATIONAL DANCE (PRIMARY) - SWEET NIGHTMARE Top row (from left to right): Lam Tian Jing Tessa, Emma Isabelle Chua Yu Xian, Emma Lim Xin Ying, Zhu Hangqi, Shee Ke Ying Katie, Clara Tan Tze-En, Laura Astrid Phua, Wong Kai En Cadence, Tan Wen Xuan, Megan Seah Kai En Middle row (from left to right): Chloe Isabelle Mackay, Hillary Ho, Alexia Rene Ward, Brielle Jae Cheow, Sophie Anne Ho Shin Wee, Cayley Lim Sui-En, Arabella Betty Belcher, Lin Mei'en Sarah Bottom row (from left to right): Charlotte Yang, Joshlyn Sung En Xing, Queenie Low Yantong, Oh Hui Xin, Kayla Low Eng Min, Kitahashi Sora, Raeanne Halim, Lee Zhuo En

The Dancers

INTERNATIONAL DANCE (PRIMARY) - JUNIOR GROUP Top row (from left to right): Lin Mei'en Sarah, Kong Chin Xun Clarice, Celestine Xiquan Fu Capati, Olivia Wong Kaiting, Lim Tin Hee Eleanor, Scarlett Thng, Yao Xuanlin, Song Yun Xun Emma Middle row (from left to right):Liv Szeyu Katimansah, Emma Choo Wen Xuan, Amber Cheng Yu Xin, Kara Leia Wang Xi, Charlotte Kate Chua Yi En, Amber Minyu Ganesaratnam, Lauren Paige Yap Bottom row (from left to right): Natasha Alexis Chui, Megan Koy, Naiomi Lim Xin Chen, Kayleigh Mae Choo, Naomi Lily Ong Wen Ning

The Dancers DANCE ENRICHMENT Eleanor Cheak Erica Molenberg Jeselle Maegan Somasundram Tan Xiao Xuan, Asia

DANCE ENRICHMENT (PRIMARY) Bailey Koh Han Xi Beverlyn Tan Gabriele Chile Mok Goh Yi En Lauren Paige Yap See Rui Ying Valencia Sierra Fuad Victoria Ho Siqi

The Dancers

DANCE (ALUMNI) - ONE VOICE Ang Wan May Daphne Ng Eleanor Cheak Elisabeth Bostock Esther Tan Ee Giselle Yong Kai Xuan Jacqueline Lim Jazelle Neo Jean Low Joyce Cheow Karen Heng Lim Wei Min Lim Wen Ee Lin Tianyi

Lisa Tay Melissa Quek Natashka Foo Bedi Pearline Poon Sarah Lin Sue-Ann Lee Tan Jiayu, Priscilla Tan Suan Leng Elaine Tan Xiao Xuan, Asia Wong Jun Hei, Natalie Current students: Liv Szeyu Katimansah Olivia Wong Kaiting

Synopsis

Golden Jubilee Parade Choreography: Mrs Jean Chan Additional Choreography & Staging: Ms Didi Lau Immerse yourselves in 20th century Hollywood glam, complete with striking red bowler hats!

⼭⽔间

Over the Mountains and the Rivers Choreography: Mdm Zou Yi An energetic, upbeat piece that explores the synergy we have with nature.

我要你的爱

I Want Your Love Choreography: Ms Didi Lau Fun and flirty, this dance explores the charms of falling in love.

Excerpts from Esmeralda Choreography: Marius Petipa Restaging: Ms Jilyn Tee Presenting scenes from the ballet La Esmeralda, inspired by the Roma character from the Hunchback of Notre Dame. An upbeat item, it features pointework and the jingling of tambourines.

莲

Lotus Choreography: Mdm Zhao Yiming A recreation of the delicate beauty of a blooming lotus flower as it gently sways in the wind.

Rubber Duckie Choreography: Mrs Jean Chan Restaging: Ms Didi Lau and Ms Licia Chua (Assistant) Get into the groove with adorable little sailors and their rubber duckies!

Peranakan Flavours Choreography: Ms Vanessa Harijanto A taste of home - set to a series of nostalgic local tunes, this item embodies the elegance and intricacy of Peranakan culture.

Synopsis May Gathering Choreography: Ms Vanessa Harijanto A spin on the traditional folk dances performed in Scandinavian countries during the springtime, enjoy the burst of colour as the dancers weave an intricate pattern before your very eyes!

踏春

Dawn of Spring Choreography: Mdm Zou Yi Listen to the beautiful sounds of nature as spring approaches, from gentle dewdrops to flowing petals, as life emerges once again.

Sweet Nightmare Choreography: Ms Didi Lau Children's dreams are always sweet, or are they? This piece takes on the fluffiness of bedtime, with a twist.

One Voice Choreography: Ms Melissa Quek Singers: Bailey Koh Han Xi (Primary) & Kitamura Emily Syn (Secondary) This item represents the power of one voice taking the lead to shine in the dark, creating a space for budding voices to develop and grow, planting a radiant, thriving garden.

Epiphany Choreography: Mrs Jean Chan Additional Choreography & Staging: Ms Vanessa Harijanto A heartfelt closure to the concert, this is an adaptation of a trademark item of Mrs Jean Chan's, a reminder to cherish that which is dear, and not to take for granted the takeaways accumulated over the years.

Moments

Moments

Acknowledgements We thank: Our Guest-of-Honour, Ms Jennie Chua, and the SCGS Board of Directors, our Principal, Mrs Linda Chan, and School Leaders for their presence on this occasion.

Parent-volunteers and Alumni for their quiet and generous support of the Dance Department with time, resources and assistance in the preparations as well as backstage.

Daphne Ng, Lim Wen Ee, and Karen Ng for the production of the video montage.

Sage Tan for the loan of her In-Ear Monitor System for our singers in One Voice.

Mrs Angela Goh for coaching our dancers in their rendition of One Voice.

SCGS Colleagues for their willing assistance in the many administrative matters.

Infocomm CCA members for their support in photography and videography.

SC Ambassadors for their time and effort in ushering the audience.

All who have helped and contributed to bringing this production to the stage and have come in support!