He chose NS and put his ballet dream on hold

Key Concepts

• Birmingham Royal Ballet: A prestigious UK ballet company.
• Predison Competition: A highly regarded international ballet competition.
• National Service (NS): Mandatory military service in Singapore.
• Alpers Ballet School: A prestigious ballet school in Birmingham, UK.
• Pointework: The technique of dancing on the tips of the toes (typically associated with female ballet dancers, but clarified in the transcript).
• Ballet Variations: Short pieces of choreography showcasing a dancer’s technique.
• 540 (degree turn): A challenging acrobatic ballet move involving a full rotation and landing on one leg.

Early Exposure and Initial Training

The speaker recounts a joyful early memory of receiving a contract with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, immediately sharing the news with his father. However, this excitement was tempered by the realization that the contract was for two years, coinciding with his obligations for National Service (NS) in Singapore. He emphasizes his pride in being the first Singaporean male to be accepted as a candidate into the Predison competition, describing it as a “huge honor” due to its prestige within the ballet world. Approximately 80 dancers globally participate in the Predison, making acceptance a significant achievement. He also recalls receiving news of acceptance into the “prairie lazison” (likely a mispronunciation of a specific program or school), experiencing a quiet moment of joy while in a library.

His passion for ballet began at the age of three, inspired by his parents, who were principal dancers with the Singapore Ballet. He remembers dancing to a CD of ballet variations, simply enjoying the movement and showing off to older dancers. This early exposure sparked his interest in formal training.

Overcoming Stereotypes and Developing Passion

The speaker addresses the common misconception that ballet is “girly” for boys, asserting that ballet can be “graceful” even for men, becoming a “very intense art.” He highlights the physical demands of ballet, specifically mentioning the difficulty of a 540-degree turn, comparing it to movements in Taekwondo. This demonstrates the athleticism required beyond perceived gracefulness.

At age 11, he began studying at the Alpers Ballet School in Birmingham, UK. He initially struggled with the experience of living alone, even calling his mother to ask to return home. He acknowledges his parents’ difficult decision to send him away, recognizing the school’s prestige.

Zurich and the Drive for Excellence

His time in Zurich was marked by strong self-motivation and a clear ambition to become a “star.” He dedicated himself to rigorous training, even during challenging periods. This period demonstrates a growing maturity and commitment to his craft.

National Service and Future Aspirations

Returning to the Birmingham Royal Ballet contract, the speaker reiterates the two-year duration and the conflict with his NS obligations. He ultimately decided to fulfill his NS commitment, expressing a genuine desire to serve his country. He fondly recalls childhood interests in military figurines, indicating a long-held respect for the armed forces. He views serving as a source of pride.

He clarifies a common misunderstanding about male ballet dancers, stating they do not dance en pointe (on the tips of their toes) but focus on jumps and turns, utilizing specialized shoes designed for support and comfort – described as “like a sock.”

He plans to continue training during his NS leave, stretching in his bunk and maximizing every opportunity. He draws inspiration from a teacher in Zurich who shared stories of dancers who served in wars and still achieved success on stage, stating, “dancers back then they had to go to war and they had to come back but they're still dancers in the end and they made it to like a really big stage.”

The Joy of Performance and Long-Term Goals

The speaker articulates his deep love for dancing, emphasizing the joy of performing for an audience and the excitement of being on stage. He concludes by reaffirming his dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer, joining a company, and ultimately achieving stardom. As he states, “I want to be a star.”

Logical Connections

The narrative follows a chronological order, beginning with the initial contract offer and then tracing back to his early experiences and motivations. The discussion of NS is interwoven throughout, highlighting the central conflict and his eventual decision. The speaker consistently connects past experiences (parents as dancers, early training, Zurich) to his present aspirations and future plans.

Notable Quotes

• “I think that ballet is really graceful. Even [music] as guys, we can make masculinity graceful.” – Demonstrates his perspective on challenging gender stereotypes in ballet.
• “dancers back then they had to go to war and they had to come back but they're still dancers in the end and they made it to like a really big stage.” – Attributed to a teacher in Zurich, this quote provided crucial encouragement regarding balancing NS and his ballet career.
• “I want to be a star.” – A concise statement of his ultimate ambition.