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Page 1 of 2 Dance Reflections, the annual dance festival of NUS Centre for the Arts (CFA) held at the University Cultural Centre, is back again. The theme this year features Peranakan culture and celebrates the fusion of different cultural elements, coinciding with the opening of the Baba House in mid 2008.
hooked gets in touch with one of the leading men of this event, Zaini Mohd Tahir, the renowned local dance choreographer and artistic director of "The Next Wave - Fifteen: Vicissitude", to find out more about his passion for dance and his view on the future of the local dance scene.
Spanning over 3 weeks, Dance Reflections showcased the works of all
the different dance groups in NUS, and featured a new work, JAMUAN Bisu ...PARAdis_e...?, by two internationally renowned choreographers as part of its world tour.
Initiating with Hybrid Moves, which featured six of the CFA dance
groups, the festival proceeded with the celebration of the 15th
anniversary of The Dance Ensemble with "The Next Wave 2007" and
culminated with Boi G Sakti's and Gerard Mosterd's new masterpiece, JAMUAN Bisu ...PARAdis_e...?.
Dance Reflections has always been recognized as a platform for both budding choreographers and dancers to showcase their talents and this year proved to be no exception. The lineup offered a myriad of dances, ranging from ethnic to contempory, and catering to a wide spectrum of audience.
The most prominent of all would have to be "The Next Wave", an annual concert by The Dance Ensemble, a prolific group that has grown in sheer strength to become a recognizable dance company in recent years.
They showcased an eclectic repertoire in their anniversary concert, "The Next Wave - Fifteen: Vicissitude" on the 21st and 22nd of September, focusing on the concept of hybridity with a dominant feature of Asian fusion works. With their technical expertise, this concert was undoubtedly a delightful treat for every dance afficiando.
Playing an instrumental role for the festival each year is Zaini Mohd Tahir, the founder and resident choreographer of The Dance Ensemble.
 Only started dancing at the age of 19, Zaini discovered his love for dance during formal dance lessons of ballet and jazz whilst at the SAF Music and Drama Company, when he was serving his National Service.
Ever since then, he has been heavily involved in the local dance scene and has created numerous high profile dance items for a variety of events, spanning from the National Day Parades to music videos and musicals.
Drawing inspiration from the dancers, music and experiences, he conjures up moving pieces that stirs one's soul. His choreography is often fluid and intense, leaving one spellbound at the end of it.
Being actively involved in helping to develop the younger dancers, he feels that their strengths lie in their drive, energy and optimism. Contrary to popular belief, young dancers are not idealistic and flighty. Instead, the dancers in the company are focused and committed to developing themselves and the company.
Throughout the 15 years that he has been in The Dance Ensemble, he has seen the discovery of numerous new talents and helped younger choreographers come into their own as they moved out of the shadows of older choreographers to develop their own style.
Zaini however, feels that despite the dance scene being more vibrant now than it was fifteen years ago, it still lacks diversity and ‘original voices'.
On the flip side, he feels that being a melting pot and global city, Singapore will always provide inspiration to her dancers and there will be new ideas and voices to be found should we look hard enough.
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