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The Next Wave 2022: Affirmations
After two years, NUS Dance Ensemble (NUS DE) is back with The Next Wave 2022: Affirmations. More than a long-awaited return to live performance, this year’s production is extra special, because it marks NUS DE’s 30th anniversary!
The Next Wave 2022: Affirmations will showcase memorable dance pieces by Shahbirul Zaki Ahmad, pioneer member & alumni of NUS DE, as well as Tamie, President & Dance Captain of NUS DE AY21/22, representing the different generations of NUS DE dancers. In addition, The Next Wave 2022: Affirmations will feature an enhanced version of the award winning work Past . Presence . Future., choreographed by Artistic Director Zaini Mohammad Tahir, and originally presented at NUS Arts Festival 2021.
About NUS Dance Ensemble
NUS Dance Ensemble is a contemporary youth dance group that has earned wide recognition for their unconventional dance aesthetic. Fusing elements of Asian dance forms with contemporary dance, jazz and ballet, NUS Dance Ensemble continues in its journey to define the Asian Contemporary.
Formed in 1992 under the leadership of Zaini Mohd Tahir, its Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer, the group offers young dancers the opportunity of learning dance vocabularies which are different from their own training, focuses on developing their technique through regular practices and masterclasses and presenting their accomplishments in annual productions, namely The Next Wave and Evocation. Dance Ensemble has the privilege of presenting the Opening Performances at NUS Arts Festival 2017 (Remember When) and NUS Arts Festival 2021 (Past . Presence . Future. ), which both drew from the theme of longing, identity and memory and were hailed for stellar technique, staging and choreography. Dance Ensemble is regularly invited to perform at events organised by other institutions of higher learning such as Momentum (Republic Polytechnic) and Emblazon (ITE).
Dance Ensemble has also taken part in festivals, study tours and competitions in countries such as Malaysia, Jakarta, Thailand, Macau and Jogjakarta. They represented Singapore at the China-ASEAN Youth Arts Festival (Guizhou, 2008) and the New Prague Dance Festival (Prague, 2009) where Dance Ensemble won Best Choreography and Special Personal Award of the Director. In 2016, they represented Singapore in the International Youth Dance Festival in Macau.
NUS Dance Ensemble is a member of NUS Centre For the Arts, and one of 20 co-curricular arts activity groups (CCA) distinguished as Arts Excellence Groups in NUS.