Our Vision & Mission
ABOUT SINGAPORE BALLET
Singapore Ballet (formerly known as Singapore Dance Theatre) was founded in 1988 by Goh Soo Khim and Anthony Then and is Singapore’s premier professional ballet company.
Comprising 38 dancers (excluding apprentices), the Company performs six seasons annually including two full length classical ballets, two contemporary seasons – Singapore Ballet Festival and Passages, an outdoor dance event called Ballet Under the Stars and a children’s ballet called Peter & Blue.
The Company’s repertoire ranges from classical to contemporary ballet, from renowned choreographers like Choo-San Goh, George Balanchine, Kinsun Chan, Val Caniparoli, Ma Cong, Edmund Stripe, Natalie Weir, Edwaard Liang, Nils Christe, Toru Shimazaki, Christina Chan, Timothy Harbour, François Klaus, Timothy Rushton, Paul Knobloch, and Loughlan Prior. Singapore Ballet represents the largest body of works by Asian choreographers in the world and is home to the choreographies of the late Singaporean ballet choreographer, Choo-San Goh.
Since 2008, the Company has been under the steady and dedicated leadership of Janek Schergen as the Artistic Director. Janek has led the Company to new achievements in the international and Singapore dance arena, including adding 50 world premieres, 22 company premieres, and numerous revivals of the Company’s existing repertoire.
Singapore Ballet has received strong reviews of our artistic achievements. Seen to be a little Asiatic gem, “the Company’s strength lies in a seamless transition between strong classical technique and contemporary movement.” said Graham Watts of Ballet. Co magazine. Stephanie Burridge of Ballet Dance (UK) highlighted that “The Company is versatile, talented and disciplined…the breadth of the repertoire takes them internationally beyond Singapore’s shores, but their sensibility is undeniably Asian; underpinned by a strong local foothold and empathy.”
In 2013, Singapore Ballet moved to a new premise in Bugis+ with four state-of-the-art studios. The Company was renamed from Singapore Dance Theatre to Singapore Ballet in December 2021 to signify the growth and maturity of the organisation while aligning us with internationally known standards of professional dance companies that we most match.
Singapore Ballet is a recipient of the National Arts Council’s Major Grant and commits to bring dance appreciation to the public audience through various on-going Education and Outreach.
INTERNATIONAL TOURING
Singapore Ballet has captivated audiences in Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Hong Kong, China, Australia, France, United States and London. The Company has taken part and has performed in numerous international festivals and events, such as Le Temps d’Aimer la Danse a Biarritz in France, Mexico’s Festival Internacional Cervantino, Chang Mu Arts Festival in Korea, Philippines Festival of Dance, and was part of the Victorian Arts Centre’s Made to Move subscription series. Singapore Ballet tours to Malaysia annually and has seen a growth in its dedicated support to the company. Through the invitation of Sadlers Wells, the Company has also performed at the Peacock Theatre under the Singapore Season in London. In June 2024, Singapore Ballet returned from a successful tour to the Kennedy Centre in Washington D.C. where it opened the gala of 10,000 Dreams: A Celebration of Asian Choreographers and the late Choo-San Goh, another of Singapore’s son, was honoured in a one-night special.
To be a vibrant cultural institution that enriches the lives of Singaporeans through the art of dance and represent Singapore on the world stage
To inspire and delight Singaporeans and international audiences by presenting world-class ballet performances and a distinctive repertoire that reflects the unique identity of the Company.
To inspire future generations of dance talents by supporting their growth and development and by providing a pathway for them to pursue their passion professionally.
We strive to bring the best of our performances to our audiences through the following:
- Excellence in artistry, technique, and performance.
- Creativity in embracing new ideas in choreography while honouring the traditions of classical ballet.
- Inclusivity in making ballet accessible to people across cultures, backgrounds, and abilities.
- Collaboration with artists, organizations, and the community to create performances that resonate with diverse audiences.
- Nurture Talent by providing budding choreographers and dancers with opportunities to grow, learn, and perform on prestigious stages.