Passages Contemporary Season 2026

Step into a world of creativity and innovation at Passages, Singapore Ballet’s contemporary season featuring world premieres every year choreographed by bold new voices in dance.

Passages Contemporary Season 2026

The 2026 edition features the stage debut of Pulse, first seen at Made in Singapore 2024, alongside the return of audience favourites Incomparable Beauty and Chant.

A brand-new work by internationally acclaimed choreographer Mathew Neenan adds to the excitement. Each piece offers a fresh perspective, showcasing the boundless potential of contemporary ballet and the evolving artistry of the company.

Programme

Pulse by Shan Del Vecchio
A vibrant celebration of movement and connection.
Incomparable Beauty by Ma Cong
An exploration of humanity’s beauty, passion, and power.
Chant by Val Caniparoli
A mesmerizing interplay of rhythm, harmony, and movement.
New Work by Matthew Neenan (World Premiere!)

SOTA Studio Theatre

5 November, 8pm
6 November, 8pm
7 November, 2pm & 8pm
8 November, 2pm & 7pm

Ticket Pricing: $65, $58 (Excluding SISTIC fee)

Keep an eye out for our early bird discount!
Contact us at ticketing@singaporeballet.org for more details.

All Secondary Schools, Junior Colleges/ Centralised Institute & ITEs may use the Tote Board Arts Grant to subsidise up to 50% of the programme cost.

For more details, please write to education@singaporeballet.org.

About the Choreographers

Val Caniparoli

Val Caniparoli is one of the most sought-after American choreographers internationally, best known for his long-standing association with San Francisco Ballet, where he spent over 50 years and served as resident choreographer. He has created works for more than 60 companies worldwide, including Joffrey Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, and Singapore Ballet. His acclaimed ballet Lambarena received a Prix Benois de la Danse nomination in 1997. Beyond ballet, he has choreographed for opera, theatre, and the San Francisco Symphony. Born in Renton, Washington, Caniparoli joined San Francisco Ballet in 1973 and remains an influential figure in international ballet choreography.

Ma Cong

Ma Cong became Artistic Director of Richmond Ballet in 2024. Trained at the Beijing Dance Academy and formerly with the National Ballet of China, he developed a distinctive cross-cultural artistic voice after moving to the United States in 1999. During a two-decade career with Tulsa Ballet as Principal Dancer and Resident Choreographer, Ma performed works by renowned choreographers including Jiří Kylián and William Forsythe while building an acclaimed choreographic repertoire. Since debuting his first work in 2004, he has created ballets for companies worldwide, including Joffrey Ballet and Singapore Ballet. His numerous accolades include Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” and the Choo-San Goh Award for Choreography.

Matthew Neenan

Matthew Neenan, described by The New York Times as “one of America’s best dance poets,” trained at the Boston Ballet School, LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts, and the School of American Ballet. He danced with the Philadelphia Ballet from 1994–2007 before serving as Choreographer in Residence from 2007–2020, creating 20 original ballets. His works have been commissioned by major companies including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and New York City Ballet. In 2005, he co-founded BalletX with Christine Cox. Neenan has received numerous awards and fellowships, and his work The Last Glass was named among The New York Times’ Top 10 performances of 2013. For the 2024–25 season, he served as Princeton University’s Hearst Choreographer in Residence.

Shan Del Vecchio

Shan Del Vecchio, who is half Thai and half Italian, was born in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and began ballet training at age 11 at Chiang Mai Ballet Academy. After joining Singapore Ballet in 2014, he rose from Apprentice to Soloist in 2024. Alongside performing leading roles in productions such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Giselle, and the Peter & Blue series, Shan has also developed his choreographic voice through contemporary creations for the company. His choreographic works were featured in Singapore Ballet’s Made in Singapore initiative and in Ma mère l’Oye: SNYO with Singapore Ballet, showcasing his growing artistic versatility as both dancer and creator.