Dancing has always meant something special to me, coming to SOTA has helped me to understand this unspoken language better. Dancing is a gift I have, and I was keen to see how this gift could be nurtured. I decided on SOTA as it’s a great place to learn more about the artform that we specialise in. After coming to SOTA, my perspective of dance broadened - be it the various styles and types of dance, how they came about, or the different elements in movement. Now, when I dance, I find a deeper connectivity within my body, which brings a revitalising sensation throughout my entire being and helps me remain present and alive in the moment.
Each step of the journey challenges and pushes me to find a greater potential. In the lower years (Years 1 and 2), we had Integrated Arts lessons where we got to experience a little bit of what the other artforms were learning. This cultivated a greater appreciation and understanding for the other artforms. Now in Year 4, we are delving even deeper into our specialised artforms. For Dance in particular, I am now exposed to more modules such as composition and improvisation, where I get a taste of what choreographing is like, and dance analysis, which involves analysing and researching different aspects of dance.
An Arts Plus dance piece performed for the Cohort Parent Engagement Programme 2020 
A glimpse of a contemporary dance lesson (2021)
A memorable experience would be learning Chinese dance. During the Borderless Learning Units programme at the end of last year, we had guest teachers teach the cohort Chinese dance. At that time, not many of us had experienced Chinese dance so it was an eye-opening and educational experience. It was very fun trying out this new style because so many of us suddenly felt incapable of executing what the teacher was asking for. We had a good laugh watching each other fumble over the moves! Jokes aside, through this experience, we got to learn more about the different types of Chinese dance, the Chinese culture in Singapore, and also a modern perspective on how this culture could be preserved and passed down.
A glimpse of a Chinese dance lesson (2020)
One of the reasons why I find learning enjoyable here is because teachers are willing to explore different teaching methods. The teachers are open to trying new ways to engage artistically-inclined students and to get things across creatively. Experimenting with different methods of teaching makes lessons so much more interesting because both teachers and the students are able to look at the subject and curriculum in a new light. Apart from creative teaching methods, we are encouraged to find interdisciplinary connections too. For example, we explored mathematical concepts using dance. This helps us find links between our arts and other subjects, as well as its application to real life and the wider community.
Just Becoming (2019)
In the community service programme - one that all SOTA students are brought through - we choose a cause that we wish to support. We are then teamed up with like-minded students to work together to give back to society. Though limited by COVID-19 now, I have already gained much insights such as breaking past the barrier of simply sympathising with the needs of those in the community, to having practical handles of how to start acting on these needs. Hopefully when the situation improves, we may go out to meet the beneficiaries directly.
Apart from finding schoolmates who share the same interest in community causes, coming to SOTA is also about finding a community that shares a common passion for the arts. I’d say that the culture and community here is very unique, you probably wouldn't be able to find the same experience elsewhere. I feel that SOTA is a space for everyone to find their unique sense of self, which then allows each person to contribute to the diverse student body in their own way. The school events and student-initiated activities, such as those planned by Leadership Academy (LeAd), the student leadership body, also makes the school life here one of a kind.
In the future, I hope to go into the field of dance science and learn more about physiology in order to give back to the community in the area of therapy. I discovered my interest for physiotherapy when I realised the joy I experienced in learning about body anatomy through the body awareness dance module in Year 1. I also aspire to help others develop a greater appreciation for the arts scene, just as the education here has helped me to do just that.
To those considering SOTA:
Just give it a try! Everyone has a unique experience here, and there is a very strong support system provided so you won’t have to worry about braving the storms alone.
Students specialising in Dance will embrace a mind-body approach in learning about the body’s capabilities for movement and expression. They will develop confidence as performers and creators, armed with knowledge about dance across cultures and history.
Students will be encouraged to be inquisitive and reflective as they develop analytical and critical thinking skills through theoretical exposure. They will be disciplined, resilient learners who are passionate about Dance.
Find out more about SOTA at our e-Open House, held online from 10 April to 18 May 2021
HERE.
READ OTHER STUDENTS' EXPERIENCES.
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Photos provided by Nicole Faith Yang