Malaysia 23 Aug - 25 Aug 2024
Thailand 17 Oct - 20 Oct 2024
Online 15 Oct 2024
Singapore 19-20, 22-24 Nov 2024
Indonesia 13 Dec - 15 Dec 2024
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Alysson Rocha
Ballett Dortmund, Germany, First Ballet Master
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Alysson was a finalist at the YAGP in 2005 and received a scholarship to study at the San Francisco Ballet School. He later worked at the Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro, performing classical repertoire from renowned choreographers such as Yelena Pankova, Sir Peter Wright, Enrique Martinez, and Dalal Achcar. From 2011-2013, he was coached by Pedro Kraszczuk and Cecilia Kerche, and concurrently served as the choreographer and artistic coordinator of "Dançar a Vida Youth Company" in Rio de Janeiro.
In 2013, he joined Ballett Dortmund in Germany, creating roles alongside his director Xin Peng Wang and performing pieces from William Forsythe, Alexander Ekman, Jiri Bubenicek, and Demis Volpi.
Recognized for his creative work, Alysson won the "Dortmunder Löwe 2019" prize for his "Silent Orchestra" dance/music project. He was later appointed as the First Ballet Master with Ballett Dortmund, where he assists and preserves the pieces from Ballett Dortmund's director, Alexander Ekman, William Forsythe, and other renowned choreographers.
Alysson was invited as a Teacher and at the YAGP Final in 2022. He was also invited by Prof. Dr. Alkis Raftis to become a member of the International Dance Council of UNESCO. Alysson's extensive experience and dedication to the art of dance make him a valuable asset in his role as an international teacher and judge.
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Brent Parolin
Ballett am Rhein in Dusseldorf, Germany, Ballet Master, Rehearsal Director, Choreographic Assistant
Brent Parolin is a Canadian born dancer, teacher, coach and choreographer. Brent started his training as a student of the prestigious National Ballet School in Toronto where he received awards such as the Lawrence Haskett and Peter Dwyer Scholarships.
After graduation Brent moved to Stuttgart, Germany, to continue his training at the John Cranko School before joining the Stuttgart Ballet in 2006, where he attained the position of Halb Soloist. In 2014 Brent moved back to Toronto to dance with the National Ballet of Canada and to teach at Canada’s National Ballet School. Brent has danced works by John Cranko, Maurice Bejart, Wayne McGregor, Christian Spuck, Demis Volpi, Kenneth MacMillan, George Balanchine, Crystal Pite and Marco Geocke among others.
Brent has been a teacher around the world, including Canada, Germany, Japan, Taiwan and Singapore. After creating multiple pieces for the Noverre: Junge Choreographen and the National Ballet of Canada’s Choreographic Workshop, Brent has shown his passion for the entire process of dance, from training and creation to performance and production. Brent currently holds the position of Balletmeister which encompasses being a rehearsal director, choreographic assistant, coach and teacher at the Ballett am Rhein in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Baptiste Bourgougnon
London Contemporary Dance School, Director of Undergraduate Programmes and International Development
Baptiste graduated at the National Conservatoire in Paris in 2000. His career began in Norway with Nye Carte Blanche before returning to France where he worked with Luc Petton and Gilles Schamber. In 2002 he joined Scottish Dance Theatre and worked with various choreographers such as Ruy Horta, Didi Veldman, Hofesh Shechter, Janet Smith, Willi Dorner. From 2006 Baptiste freelanced and worked with different companies such as Compagnie Maryse Delente, Ballet Lorent, Acronote, State Of Flux, Company Chameleon and Kieran Sheehan Dance Theatre. Baptiste has been teaching release and floorwork at the London Contemporary Dance School at The Place since 2012 and became Director of Undergraduate Performance and International Development in 2019.
Claresta Alim
Head Department of Marlupi Dance Academy (Full-Time program) and Director of Performing Art
International judge and ballet teacher. Ms Claresta started her training at Marlupi Dance Academy (MDA), she joined Beijing Dance Academy in 2008, at the same time she received a scholarship from Joffrey Ballet School and was also accepted to American Ballet Theatre Summer Session in the USA.
She began her professional career with Washington Ballet School and Art Ballet Theatre of Florida. During the time she has performed in many roles including Issaev's Harlequinade, Fairy Doll, Le Corsaire, Raymonda, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Little Mermaid in Ballet, Shostakovich (3 Movements), Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin and Edgar Anindo's Fragmentos.
Ms Claresta has groomed many students to international recognition, including being the first Indonesian to be invited to Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) and winning GOLD MEDAL at the YAGP New York Finals.
Her students have not only won numerous awards in international competitions but also received scholarships to the Royal Ballet School, The Australian Ballet School (full scholarship for the year programme), Princesse Grace Dance Academy, Houston Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Universal Ballet, The Rock School, etc.
Ms Claresta is also a well-known international ballet teacher, she has been invited to teach Master classes in the United States, Poland, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia. Many students from all over the world also came and took classes with Ms Claresta and benefited greatly from her coaching.
Dr Filomar Cortezano Tariao
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Senior Lecturer
Dr Filomar, is a Senior Lecturer at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, and is also working in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE), teaching Dance Safety courses for continuing education.
Dr Filomar has choreographed and directed many works. One of his works won the Best Production for Life Theatre Awards. His works have been presented across many international platforms, including the opening piece for the 8th ASEAN Paragames, which was hailed as a "beautiful performance" by The London Times. He wrote about it in Dance: Access and Inclusion. He has also created for the Esplanade Dans Festival, La-in, for NAFA’s 80th anniversary in Crossings 2018.
Dr Filomar represented NAFA at the Blackboard Asia 2015 conference and World Dance Alliance in Korea. He has also been performing professionally for over 20 years. He has taught for the Vermont International Dance Festival. He is a fully-certified Stott Pilates instructor and a full-scholar alumnus of Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts.
Han Kee Juan
Principal of Singapore Ballet Academy
Mr. Han, an esteemed international judge, holds a prominent position as an adjudicator for prestigious events, including the Youth America Grand Prix, Jackson IV and V USA International Ballet Competition. His co-founding of the American Ballet Competition underscores his pivotal role in discovering and nurturing emerging talents on the global dance stage.
In addition to his illustrious judging career, Mr. Han has had a remarkable trajectory in teaching and leading dance institutions. He served as the Director of the Washington School of Ballet, Director at the Arizona Ballet School and the Arizona School for the Arts, Dance Program, and held the position of Principal teacher at Ballet Arizona. His role as faculty at the North Carolina School of the Arts further showcased his dedication to shaping the future of dance through education and innovative competitions.
An ambassador of dance education, Mr. Han's expertise has influenced esteemed institutions like the Atlanta Ballet, Boston Ballet, and the Hubbard Street Dance Company. Beyond teaching and directing, he has staged notable works like Choo San Goh’s Ballade and orchestrated captivating performances for Tojo Ballet Theatre in Japan.
Trained in in Singapore with Ms Florrie Sinclair and Ms Goh Soo Khim, and professionally at the Australian Ballet School, Mr. Han's foundation reflects a fusion of classical rigor and diverse influences. Currently serving as the Principal of the Singapore Ballet Academy, he continues to groom young talents both locally and internationally.
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Jason Mabana
Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, rehearsal and production director
Jason Mabana is an international dance teacher and choreographer based in London. He holds a Ba (hons) degree from the Rambert School and a postgraduate Diploma from The Place.
Jason is the rehearsal and production director at the Rambert School and teaches Contemporary at both London Contemporary Dance School and The Royal Ballet School, where he shares his expertise and knowledge with the next generation of dancers.
In addition to his teaching commitments, Jason has created works for numerous renowned dance companies, schools and events, including Black Box Dance Company, Conny Janssen Danst, FDR, Hamburg Contemporary Company, Balletboyz, SpringBoard, Royal Ballet School, Stella McCartney, De Beers and more. His works have been nominated for Best Choreography in Denmark, the Asian Arts Awards, and the Amnesty International Freedom of Speech Awards, which is a testament to his creativity and talent.
As a sought-after guest teacher at conservatoires worldwide, he has taught at The University of the Arts in Amsterdam, University of Stavanger, and Hamburg Contemporary Dance School. Jason’s unique style of teaching comes from the fusion of contemporary and hip hop,
Throughout his career, Jason has also been a highly skilled dancer, performing with world-renowned dance companies such as Akram Khan Company, Wayne McGregor, Shobana Jeyasingh, and Candoco Dance Company. His experience as a performer has given him a deep understanding of the art of dance and has allowed him to bring that knowledge to his teaching and choreography.
Lisa-Maree Cullum
Artistic Director of Tanya Pearson Academy
Lisa-Maree Cullum, a native of New Zealand, began her ballet journey at the age of 3 under her mother's guidance. By the age of 14, she had committed to ballet full-time at the Tanya Pearson Academy in Sydney, Australia. Her exceptional talent was swiftly recognized when she secured the gold medal in the Royal Academy's Adeline Genee Awards, followed by a Prix de Lausanne scholarship. This paved the way for her to further her studies at the esteemed Academie de danse Princesse Grace in Monaco, under Madame Marika Besobrasova's mentorship.
Joining the English National Ballet at 17 marked the start of Lisa-Maree's professional career. Soon after, she accepted an invitation from Peter Schaufuss to join the Deutsche Oper Berlin in Germany, where she swiftly ascended to principal dancer after her remarkable performance in the world premiere of Giselle. In 1998, she was offered a principal contract with the Bayerische Staatsballett in Munich, Germany, where she danced until 2015. In 2008, Lisa-Maree was honored with the prestigious title of "Kammertänzerin" by the Bavarian Ministry of Culture, recognizing her extensive contributions to ballet in Germany.
Lisa-Maree's illustrious career took her to stages worldwide, including the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan and many more. Since retiring from the stage, she has dedicated herself to mentoring the next generation of dancers, earning acclaim as a generous and passionate coach. Lisa-Maree's expertise is sought after as a guest teacher for Masterclasses and as a jury member at prestigious ballet competitions, including the Prix de Lausanne in 2015. As the former Associate Artistic Director of the Bavaria Ballet Academy in Munich, Lisa-Maree brings over three decades of global experience back to her roots as the Artistic Director of the Tanya Pearson Academy, inspiring new generations of dance students to embark on their own illustrious careers.
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Lisa Macuja Elizalde
The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet, School Directress
Lisa Macuja Elizalde – Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ballet Manila, a prima ballerina, is one of the most recognizable and iconic figures in the Philippine classical ballet landscape. Graduating at the top of her class from the prestigious school in 1984, now the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, Lisa debuted as principal ballerina in The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, and Giselle with the Kirov Ballet. Upon her return to Manila, she was the first artist-in-residence of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and performed as guest artist with Ballet Philippines until 1988 when she became a principal dancer of the Philippine Ballet Theatre.
In 1995, she established Ballet Manilla, and performing and leading the company’s performance all over the world. She formally retired from full length dancing in 2014 but makes periodic appearances in productions of Ballet Manila. Lisa is also the founder and directress of the Lisa Macuja School of Ballet, where she continues to train students in the Russian Vaganova method.
Lisa is frequently invited to conduct master classes outside of the Philippines – Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, United States of America, Hong Kong, South Korea, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom. She is also in the jury panel for many international ballet comptitions both in the Philippines and in the Asian Region.
Melissa Quek
LASALLE College of the Arts, Head of the School of Dance & Theatre
Melissa is Head of the School of Dance & Theatre at LASALLE College of the Arts and the Programme Leader for the Diploma in Dance.
She is also a choreographer, performer and educator whose choreographic interest lies in investigating the body-subject. Her works and creative process attempt to touch on questions of agency, materiality and perception to create a visceral experience for the audience.
Melissa enjoys multi-disciplinary collaborative works, Site based work such as site-specific outdoor performance Tracing the City (2016) and cause based performances and workshops such as Stride with Pride, a performance aimed at increasing respect for wheelchair users. She founded The Kueh Tutus (a collective dedicated to creating dance for young audiences) and has created several works that have been presented at The Artground, toured to regional libraries and appeared in the Esplanade’s Festivals Octoburst! and March On.
Melissa has managed and designed various MOE-NAC Dance related initiatives such as the Dance Talent Development Programme, and Strategic Partnership CCA (Ethnic Dance). She also mentors the choreographic work of young and emerging artists through institutions such as *SCAPE and occasionally writes dance reviews, articles and edu-packs to make contemporary dance more accessible.
Dr Peter Gn
Honorary Fellow, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (UK)
Choreographer-Director, The Presence Project
Dr Peter Gn is a seasoned professional in the field of Dance and Choreography, with a rich educational background from prestigious institutions worldwide. With training from the Victorian College of the Arts (Australia), Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (UK), and the University of Roehampton (UK), Peter holds a Doctorate in Dance and Masters degrees in Choreography and Dance Studies.
As an accomplished choreographer, dance educator, and conference presenter, Peter's creative ventures span across various platforms, from theaters to sports arenas and national events. His artistic approach, rooted in Release Technique and Improvisation, seamlessly blends dance with film, poetry, and music, resulting in captivating interdisciplinary works.
Peter's influence extends globally, having led performance projects and masterclasses in numerous countries, including Australia, Canada, Singapore, and the United States. He has also graced prestigious conferences such as the National Dance Education Organisation Conference and the World Dance Alliance Global Dance Summit.
At IBGPS, Peter has played roles as a Conference Panel Speaker, Workshop Trainer, and Conference Convenor. Additionally, he has served as a Jury Member for esteemed competitions like IAF (2020-2023), showcasing his expertise and commitment to nurturing emerging talents.
Beyond his contributions to academia and competitions, Peter has represented the Ministry of Education (Singapore) in various capacities, including choreographer, coordinator, and consultant for the National Day Parade. As the Choreographer-Director of The Presence Project, Peter continues to captivate audiences with innovative choreography, both locally and internationally.
Resmi Malko
Central School of Ballet UK, Ballet Tutor
Resmi Malko received his ballet training at the Academy of Ballet in Tirana, Albania. Upon completion of his training in 1985, he joined the National Opera Ballet Theatre in Tirana and was promoted to Principal Dancer within 5 years. He continued his career there for the next 15 years, performing in countries including Italy, France, Turkey, Greece, Poland, Croatia, Bulgaria, USA and Canada.
Resmi then immigrated to North America and performed with the USA Ballet and the Canadian company, Ballet Jorgen. In 2003 Resmi graduated with Distinction from the Teacher Training Program for professional dancers at Canada's National Ballet School and joined the artistic teaching staff later that year. After 10 years with the NBS, Resmi joined the Central School of Ballet in London.
Students Resmi has coached have competed in international ballet competitions such as, the Prix de Lausanne and Genée International Competition where a student for the first time in the competition's history won all three major gold medals. Choreographically, Resmi has staged classical repertoire for the Central School of Ballet’s End of Year performances and for the touring company, Ballet Central. Additionally, Resmi often returns to coach at the National Opera Ballet Theatre, Tirana.
Susan Yeung, How Wah
School of Dance at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Associate Dean and Senior Lecturer
Susan received the City Contemporary Dance Company Prize in Hong Kong and began her career as a professional performer with Ecnad Project in Singapore in 2002. In 2005, as the independent producer of COLLECTIVE mayhem, she toured her work internationally. She is also the choreographer for Xsystem Entertainment from 2007 to 2010.
Recently, Susan founded Creative X Network, collaborates across disciplines and initiated the project Reimagining Residency in 2021 with international dance artists and Singapore’s community service providers.
From 2003 to 2022, Susan served as artistic director, mentor, and artistic curator for more than 60 dance productions and events. She also regularly served as an assessor, adjudicator, facilitator, mentor, and panel speaker for professional companies, institutes, universities, and arts festivals, including the National Arts Council, Ministry of Education, and *Scape.
Susan's works have been presented and reviewed by press and media internationally, including CNN Travel, Straits Time and Lianhe Zaobao. Her achievements as a dance artist were featured in the Chinese newspaper Lianhe Zaobao in 2010.
Prior to her experience at NAFA, she was the Programme Coordinator for BA(Hons), Lecturer and Lecturer-in-charge of dance programmes at LASALLE College of the Arts. She also served as the artistic and rehearsal director, for LASALLE’s major dance productions and international performances from 2010 to 2019 and as a choreographer and artistic curator for festivals and touring works. She joined Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts as the Programme Leader in 2021 and is currently the Associate Dean of School of Dance.
Tamara King
Principal at Boston Ballet School
Tamara King, is an experienced teacher, dedicated dance educator, and former professional dancer who is committed to providing high-quality dance education and training to students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Her association with Boston Ballet dates back to 1981 when she earned a scholarship for the Summer Dance Program. Following a successful professional career, King commenced her teaching journey at Walnut Hill School for the Arts, subsequently returning to Boston Ballet in 2001. She served as the Principal of the Summer Dance Program and earned promotion to Principal of the Newton Studio in 2004.
In 2020, King assumed the role of Principal at Boston Ballet School, overseeing faculty, curriculum, and operations for the Classical Ballet Program across the Boston Ballet School and Newton studios, along with the Summer Dance Program. Recently, she was appointed Associate Director of Boston Ballet School, a testament to her ongoing commitment to dance education.
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Wu, Yi-San
Chairperson and Associate Professor of Taipei National University of the Arts,
School of Dance
Artistic Director of Yi Production
Wu, Yi-San started her career as a professional dancer in Cloud Gate Dance Theatre and City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC) and touring countries around the world and different International Dance Festivals from 1994 to 2006. She was also a member of the South ‘ASLI’ Dance Workshop from 1996~2001.
In 2023, she received the Chinese Literary Award from the Chinese Writers & Artists Association C.W.A.A. She is a distinguished alumnus of Taipei Municipal Zhong Zheng Senior High School in 2022. In 2000, she received the Hong Kong Dance Awards for her excellent performance and the 2009 Production Award from the Unlock Dancing Plaza Community Culture Ambassador Project. She was among the Dance History of Hong Kong in 2003 and 2006. In 2003 she got the full scholarship prize from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund to study in London Contemporary Dance School and performed with Random Dance Company, Akram Khan Dance Company, Protein Dance, etc.
Teaching and choreography for over 20 years, Yi-San has always desired to explore different perspectives of creation and collaborate with different media artists. Her works have been premiered by companies and Dance Festival, such as Taiwan Co dance Festival, Singapore Huayi Festival, DA: NS Festival, Contact Contemporary Dance Festival, NUS Arts Festival, Asia Pacific Dance Festival, Beijing Dance Festival, Guangdong Dance Festival, ArtCross, The Human Expression Dance Company(T.H.E), LASALLE College of the Arts, Crucible Dance Company in Germany, City Contemporary Dance Company, Beyond Dance Theater, E-Side Dance Company, Y Space, Dance Art Dance Theatre, Sun Shier Dance Theatre, TTC Dance Production, etc.