I started to learn ballet since 5 years old, at a ballet studio which appeared to be the only one in Johor Bahru. I still remember my teachers taught me how to pointe my feet, how to run on my toes, how to keep my fat belly in and to stand really really straight, like a ' princess'. But I never thought myself as a princess, at times the classes were confusing for me because I was Chinese educated. In the kindergarten, I was always chosen to be the one dancing in the first row. Well I guess the ballet training sort of helped a little bit so that I stood out in a bunch of kids.
During my teens, I was lucky enough to join the school dance club, which provided me several opportunities to dance on stage. The passion and interest of being a dancer started to grow in me.
After finishing the secondary school education, in conflict of my mom's expectation, I turned down the engineering course of the university, instead, went studying dance full time at Lasalle College of the Arts, with a dance scholarship. At first, I had a huge hard time physically and emotionally. The ballet lecturers were telling me the foundation of my ballet techniques was not good enough. In addition to the restriction of my body structure, I had to work really really hard to overcome all boundaries. At the peak of my crazy schedule, I took 4 technique classes (6 hours) everyday, with combination of theory classes and night rehearsals with a local contemporary dance company.
Fortunately the teachers and guest lecturers had been giving me encouragement and compliments on my progress and improvement. My friends who featured me in their choreographies also allowed me a great flexibility to show personal characteristics and artistry . After performing in several productions, I eventually realised the real joyfulness of dancing is not just techniques or exam, IT IS TO DANCE, TO PERFORM, TO SHOW OFF YOURSELF!
In between of these years, many obstacles and difficulties have come across: back-stabbing among dancers, politics among dance teachers, break-ups with boyfriends, chronic ankle injuries, financial constraints, physiquel fatigue, emotion break down, unfamiliarity with the outside world...However, I still keep myself carrying on, even after a couple of breaks. The wonderful memories of dancing is still always in my mind, no matter how. Even though I no longer dance full time, it is a great happiness to see my students sharing the same joyfulness as I did.
Now, as a teacher, I sincerely hope all my students experience the joy of dancing. Gain good techniques, expressive performing skills, high confidence, excellent musicality, and most importantly, FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELVES!
