The Background Dancer

What was our first ever universal language? No, it did not require speech as there was only movement at the very beginning. Vincent Yong is Singapore's sole Certified Movement Analyst, Somatic Movement Therapist and founder of Danspire International . Concluding the month of Dance Wellness, this episode introduces the concepts and applications of movement studies and somatic practices. Moveme...

Who do you ultimately serve? No, I don't mean as an employee or such, but as a human being who's driven to bring value to others. When you wake up every morning, ask yourself these questions: Who do you dance for? Why do you dance? If you can't figure one out, consider defining your Avatar.  Continuing in the month of Dance Wellness, this episode introduces the business application...

Where can dancers turn to for an interest or career in science? The overarching aim of dance science is to optimize dancer performance and minimize injury risk for the prolongation of one's professional life. Edel Quin is the Programme Leader of the Dance Sciences at the University of Chichester and co-authored the bestseller, Safe Dance Practice in 2015.   Continuing in the month of Dance We...

What do doctors and dancers have in common? They both apply the human body as main instruments! Yes, medical expertise can benefit dancer wellbeing in a multitude of ways, but you obviously need an actual doctor present for that. Dr. Filomar Cortezano Tariao is a Senior Lecturer of Dance at NAFA and a licensed physician whose mission is to raise awareness for dancer health through the lens of incl...

Is podcasting a necessary medium for the arts? There are already a multitude of dance podcasts available that offer such wide-ranging information, so it shouldn't be a question. My answer is obviously YES, but let me share with you exactly WHY.   Not all dancers just dance  Extension of the dance experience  Vehicle for the arts  It is an immense network Helps cultivate industry leaders Concl...

Is social media a viable option to build a dance archive? How can one stand out in the sea of information while still expressing a voice? U.S based artist Megan Castro set out on her own fascinating journey and has amassed over 29k followers on Instagram since beginning a little over a year ago.   Continuing in the month of Art Media, this episode discusses the rigors of movement research and sear...

Remember when having a journal was actually cool? Instead of filling one up with words and whimsical doodles, how about movement instead? In the advent of the pandemic, Megan Castro set out to create her own version of a journal and has amassed over 29k followers on Instagram since beginning a little over a year ago.   In the month of Art Media, this episode introduces the nature of one such proje...

We write almost everyday, in every way. Like a dancer, being an editor also requires having a voice that can inspire across all levels of society. For those who many not find the stage all that appealing, the 'paper' is certainly an alternative means for self-expression. Melinda Gaskin is the Chief Editor of HK Dance Magazine, a young organization advocating for more journalistic voices...

Taking a trip down memory lane with my first ever personality test, yeah the one with the birds! Personality tests are not the absolute rulebook, but they can be useful navigators for making smarter career decisions and to better adapt to your work setting. Most importantly, they are just fun and memorable!   For the final installment of Season One's month of Art Management, let's do a l...

What is a producer in the performing arts? What does it mean to be scouring for not just an elephant, but a purple one as well! In recent years, the role of producer has received growing attention as more crucial shapers of a highly globalized creative industry. Bilqis Hijjas is an independent producer, art critic, educator and choreographer in Malaysia who has amassed more than a decade of profes...

The second of a two-part series exploring the tools and motivations behind starting a dance company. Prof. Joseph Victor Gonzales features as the first ever guest on the show and is an immensely experienced performer, choreographer and educator. Most notably, he is the founder/artistic director of ASK Dance Company, one of the very few full-time employing companies in Malaysia. In the month of Art...

The first of a two-part series exploring the tools and motivations behind starting a dance company. Prof. Joseph Victor Gonzales features as the first ever guest on the show and is an immensely experienced performer, choreographer and educator. Most notably, he is the founder/artistic director of ASK Dance Company, one of the very few full-time employing companies in Malaysia. This episode also ki...

Transitions can be daunting, but dancers need to consider one at some point in their journey. So why not start now? In this episode, we ruminate about the reality and necessity of career transition. Also, some highlights through the show's 10 major categories starting in March!   Identity Foreclosure Career Transition for Dancers Psychological Implications for Young Dancers in Transition Soun...

In this episode, I have a little wordplay derived from the acronym of DANCE. The idea of building community is always a priority, thus who am I hoping to connect with?  D - Dedicated Doers A - Aspirational Agents N - Nuanced Nerds C - Consistent Contexts E - Educational Entertainers Aspiration vs. Ambition Context is everything  Agency of Change Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly Support the show L...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Background Dancer ! Here, I share my vision and passion for all things offstage regarding the world of dance and performing arts. To begin with, what does it  feel like to bask in the background ? Relive the highlights of my life experiences that have culminated in the establishment of this newest passion project. Everyone requires inspiration to kickstart s...

As part of a double-episode launch, I now take you through the four major principles of why all this is so important to me, and hopefully also to you. This episode will expand on the tenets of:  Community Building  Enriching social capital by virtue of TRUST Establish connectivity by maximizing technology and talent mobility  Education Nurturing more adaptable leaders and impact drivers in the ind...