How old were you when you started ballet?
I was ten turning eleven when I started taking ballet class. My father was the one who persuaded me to learn ballet, but I was so scared because I was the only boy in a class of more than twenty girls. But over time, I grew comfortable, and made friends with the other dancers as well.
What was the first ballet you ever saw?
The first ballet I watched was Cinderella by my ballet school. I was nine then, and my sister was dancing in it. The first time I watched a ballet by a professional company was Swan Lake by the Stuttgart Ballet. I remember the prima ballerina dancing as Odette and Odile, and she was amazing at both contrasting characters!
When did you decide to pursue a professional career?
I think I was 15 or 16 when I took ballet more seriously. I decided to switch to non-formal school so that I could have more time to practice dancing as well.
Where did you pursue pre-professional training?
I was born and raised in Thailand, so I took ballet classes at the Chiang Mai Ballet Academy on a yearly scholarship from 2005 – 2013, and had the opportunity to perform with the Chiang Mai Ballet. When I was around 18 years old, I did my RAD Solo-Seal exam, and the private lessons from guest teachers helped me a lot in my ballet technique and style. I also trained under Kim Matthews and the Director of the Preeyapun Sridhavat.
I was also honoured to have won the first prize in the 12th, 13th and 14th Asia Pacific Dance Competitions held in Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong.
How/When did you become and apprentice at SDT?
I auditioned in August 2013, and joined SDT in January 2014.
My first trip to Singapore in 2013 was at the invitation to perform at a Singaporean dance school, Dance-Pointe.
I had spoken to the owner of the school and shared with her my interest in joining a ballet company. After a few days, I was shocked to hear from her that she had secured an audition in SDT for me on the following week, and I was not ready for the audition.
I was more focused on being a hip-hop dancer at that time, so I really struggled through the company which was part of the audition. After class, I spoke to Artistic Director Janek Schergen and he said that I was not ready to join the company but he saw a talent in me. So he proposed for me to keep taking company classes and evaluate the possibility of offering me a contract as an apprentice after awhile. So I worked as hard as I could even after returning to Thailand when my visa was due, and I practiced every day at my school, watching and learning from Bolshoi classes on YouTube.
When I returned to Singapore at the end of October to rehearse for the show with Dance-Pointe, I travelled from Jurong to Bugis to join the company classes in the mornings, and return to Jurong West for rehearsal, and then back again to Bugis to attend scholars class. During that period, there was one day when Janek called me in to his office and offered me an apprentice place in the company, I just stood there with thinking to myself, “What? Wait, did I just get accepted?” I was super surprised! (laughs)
What was your first role in SDT as a professional dancer?
My first role was in Romeo and Juliet. I was pretty excited, but I was scared of making mistakes and a little stressed as well. It was a challenge for me even though it wasn’t a big role. But I keep trying to do it better every time I dance.
How do you learn a ballet?
Usually our Artistic Director or Ballet Master would teach us the choreography of a ballet. Once we know the steps, it is our responsibility to practice, do them well and be able to perform the dance.
What is a typical rehearsal day like for you?
After company class in the morning, we have a short rest break to catch a breath and get a snack, before we go into a full day of rehearsals. In between rehearsals, we would have our lunch break and I would take a quick nap to recharge. During break time or after work, I would also go the gym to work out, or if I don’t feel like travelling, I would stay in our studio and do my strength and core trainin
Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
I do not have any pre-performance ritual, but most of the time, before I step on stage to perform, I would stand in the wings and meditate to stay focused on my performance.
What do you eat on a big rehearsal/performance day?
I am a vegetarian, and my diet does not vary from what I eat on a daily basis. I do make sure that I do not miss a meal though, which I usually don’t since I am always hungry. (laughs)
Do you watch ballets from the wings?
Yes, sometimes. It’s good to watch your friends and co-dancers perform. You can learn a lot just by watching others.
How do you feel after a performance?
Well, it depends. If I performed well, I would feel really good about it, and would have a drink with my friends to celebrate. But if I didn’t perform as well as I should have, then I would not feel as good, although I would still go for a drink. (laughs) I also feel really relieved if the piece I performed was a very hard or very tiring one.
What is your most prized possession?
Honestly, I do not believe that a man truly possesses anything material. We are born without anything and we die leaving all our material possessions. But for the present, my most prized possession would be my classical guitar, which is handmade from Chile.
What do you like to do outside of SDT?
On most weekends, my friends and I would always have a plan to go out and enjoy ourselves. Most of the time I would go to the cinema with my friends to watch a movie.
Do you have a “guilty pleasure”?
Having too much fun. (laughs) No, I don’t think I really have a guilty pleasure.
Are most of your friends dancers?
Yes, almost all of them are either dancers or they used to be.
How does your family feel about your career?
Great, they are very supportive of me! Except for my mum, she supports me, but not as much I guess.
