Dance in Singapore - Creative Contemporary Dance Identity in Singapore

Creative Contemporary Dance Identity in Singapore

• In general, the first generation of theatrical dance professionals have contributed mainly as dance teachers whereas the second generation produces more original choreography and performances in developing the scene.
• One such pioneering group that have created a unique creative Singaporean identity is ECNAD (then known as Dance Dimension Project, http://www.ecnad.org) was founded in 1996 contributed to the development of the theatrical dance scene through the consistent production of over 50 original works through 12 years. It was then formed to create innovative works by pioneer batches of NAFA trained dancers which also include some friends from the People's Association Dance Company. ECNAD was then a hard to classified "dance" group due to its original and indigenous approaches. With Contemporary Arts influences of the pioneering NAFA Modern Dance training, these new choreographers took the then "cultural desert" by surprise with their bold, innovative and strong aesthetics in their dance and often movement-based production. It became the first full-time contemporary dance company in Singapore in 1998 consisted of 8 full-time dancers with a focus on site-specific projects and strong visuals. In B-Cycle (1996), east and west cultural influences have taken a new definition. It started its unique outdoor outreach performances titled Ontogenesis at different fountains in Singapore creating interesting ways of interacting with water and the site-specific nature of the performance serving to capture the attention of passers-by and rekindling their awareness of aesthetics around our living environment. Its outreach projects stretched over about 4 years together with aesthetically unique performances in the theatres which varies in dance dimensions from Surrealistic to Absurd to Conceptual to Cultural/Contextual-Influenced projects as well as collaborations with Indonesian, Japanese, Canadian and American dance and music artists. Its all-inclusive approach also saw many interesting works of unusual casting such as actresses, bodybuilder and singers. Quite a few present days' individual dance artists have started from generous support from ECNAD. The Company also runs an ECNAD Education Unit that provides all-rounded dance training for leisure participants as well as new talents. It fills the gap for providing non-commercial dance training for teens and young working adults. ECNAD has good proven results in the training of performers from beginner level onwards.

ECNAD's Artistic Co-Directors Lim Chin Huat and Tan How Choon are one of the pioneers in creative contemporary dance making in Singapore. They are also one of the multi talented choreographers in the world! Chin Huat is proficient in Dance-based Choreography, Fine Arts and Production Design while How Choon is proficient in Gymnastics, Technical Dance, Facilitation Choreography and Music/Song Creations.