About
Kadence Ballet Academy
Kadence Ballet Academy was founded in 2023 and aims to be a premier ballet academy in Singapore that offers holistic ballet education. KBA provides pre-professional classes to dancers who aspire towards a vocational career path as well as children who are interested in learning ballet through the RAD program or recreationally.
About Kadence Ballet Academy
Kadence Ballet Academy strives to become a global beacon of excellence in ballet education, nurturing the next generation of dancers, choreographers, and educators. Our goal is to empower all who come through our doors with unparalleled technical proficiency, artistic expression, and a profound appreciation for the rich history and innovation of ballet.
Our approach is to apply kinesiological methods to body conditioning, and to revolutionize ballet education by seamlessly merging traditional ballet training with progressive strength and conditioning methods into one cutting-edge programme. We aspire to elevate ballet to new heights of excellence through a rigorous programme based on science and research.
Our Team
CHIHIRO UCHIDA | Artistic Director
Chihiro was previously with Singapore Ballet Ltd. (formally Singapore Dance Theatre) for 18 years including 14 years as a Principal dancer. She began her dance training at Classical Ballet Academy S.O.U. in Japan. In 2001, she won the Idemitsu Kousan Scholarship at the 8th Asian Pacific International Ballet Competition in Tokyo, and was later accepted into The Australian Ballet School.
Upon graduation, Chihiro joined Singapore Dance Theatre directed by Goh Soo Khim in 2005. Since 2009 under Janek Schergen’s direction, she has danced Principal roles across the company’s classical repertoire including Janek Schergen’s Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker, Cinderella, Giselle, Coppelia, Paquita, Goh Choo San’s Romeo and Juliet and Cynthia Harvey’s Don Quixote. She has also danced a wide range of Principal roles in neoclassical and contemporary works by Singapore choreographers and international choreographers and brought captivating new creations to life.
Chihiro was a faculty member for the renowned Singapore Ballet Scholars Program and has taught numerous master classes in Singapore.
FAYE CHIN | Head of Contemporary Teacher, RAD CBTS certified teacher
Faye was born in Malaysia and started her training in Ballet at the age of 4 with Datin Rosalina Ooi. She has completed her RAD in Ballet till Advanced one level. Faye began her training in Contemporary Dance with the Victorian College of the Arts in University of Melbourne, Australia and graduated with Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance) in 2018. During her time in Melbourne, she has worked with choreographers such as as Lee Serle, Lina Limosani, Becky Hilton, Feng Feng Wang, Gideon Obarzanek, Natalie Abbott and Anouk Van Djik.
Since young, Faye has actively participated in choreography and performance. She was a choreographer and performer for Perak Society of Performing Arts. Her choreography has won numerous accolades in competition such as New Prague Dance Festival, Singapore Dance Challenge Cup, International Arts festival, International Ballet Grand Prix, Star of Canaan Dance International Ballet Competition Singapore, Get The Beat both Singapore and Malaysia, Masterpiece Competition and The Dance Society of Malaysia Ballet Competition.
Since graduating, Faye has been teaching both Ballet and Contemporary Dance in Singapore.
Faye also holds a certificate in Ballet teaching and is a registered teacher with Royal Academy of Dance. She is passionate to use her knowledge in both Contemporary Dance and Ballet to further empower our future generation.
BIRU CHUA | Classical Technique, Pointe, Variation, Adult Ballet
Born in Singapore, Bi Ru began her training under Natalie Clarke and Cheah Mei Sing at the Singapore Ballet Academy, directed by Mdm Goh Soo Khim, and was a scholarship recipient of the school. In 2009, she began her training with the New Zealand School of Dance (NZSD) and joined SB as an apprentice in January 2012, was promoted to Artist in September 2012 and to Soloist in January 2017. Her repertoire highlights include Balanchine’s Serenade as Russian Lady, soloist in his Theme and Variation, Myrtha in Giselle, Kitri’s friends, Dryad Queen and Mercedes in Don Quixote, Big Swan, pas de trois in Swan Lake, pas de trois in Paquita, Friends and Dawn in Coppélia, Fairy of Beauty in Sleeping Beauty, Lady Capulet and Juliet’s friends in Romeo and Juliet, and Melancholic in The Four Temperaments.
She also danced the lead couple of Natalie Weir’s Jabula, as well as featured roles in Timothy Harbour’s Linea Adora, Ma Cong’s Shadow’s Edge and Incomparable Beauty, Loughlan Prior’s The Sound Was Our Ocean, Toru Shimazaki’s Unexpected B, Edwaard Liang’s Opus 25, Bournonville Divertissements, A Folk Tale pas de sept and Tarantella.
While dancing, she also taught adult ballet classes at Singapore Ballet as well as their highly esteemed SB Scholars Programme to nurture the student dancers in their pursuit of a professional dance career.
She retired from dancing with Singapore Ballet in July 2023, and is currently teaching and developing the younger generation in their passion for ballet as well as in Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (“NAFA”) in their Junior Dance Program.
CHEN WEI | Classical Technique, Adult Ballet
Born in China, and a graduate of the prestigious Affiliated Secondary School of Beijing Dance Academy (北舞附中) and Beijing Dance Academy (北京舞蹈学院) majored in Classical Ballet & former dancer of the renown Tianjin Ballet Company upon graduation.
Chen Wei was invited to join Singapore Ballet Ltd. (formally Singapore Dance Theatre) by Goh Soo Khim in 2002. He danced with the company for 11 years before his retirement as a First Artist. During his time with the company, Chen Wei performed many soloist roles. His repertoire highlights include Hilarion in Giselle, Snow King in The Nutcracker, Rothbart in Swan Lake and Coppélia. Additionally, he has danced in The Legacy of Goh Choo San, Glow-Stop by Jorma Elo, Jiří Kylián’s Stamping Ground, Stanton Welch’s Madame Butterfly, Unknown Territory, Serenade by George Balanchine, Organ Concerto by Nils Christe, Age of Innocence and Opus 25 by Edwaard Liang and 4Seasons by Natalie Weir.
Chen Wei has been teaching Adult Dance Classes since 2007. He is considered as one of the most well-respected teachers in the Adult Ballet Community.
DENISE YAP | Pilates, Gyrotonic ®, GyroKinesis ®, Baby Ballet
Denise has never been one to sit still. After completing her BA (Hons) Musical Theatre at LASALLE College of the Arts, she has been active in both Singapore and Malaysia – she has performed in numerous musicals and corporate shows as a singer, dancer and actress. She was recently a performer in Universal Studios Singapore as a show host and character.
She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical in the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards 2020 for her role of Joanne in ‘The Working Dead’ (an original Malaysian musical comedy). With a passion for collaboration and creativity, she created a 10-minute musical for the Short+Sweet Festival 2018 and won several awards including the Mercedes-Benz Award for Creative Excellence.
She has been a ballet, jazz and tap teacher for the past 8 years and is always learning and looking to expand her skills by attending workshops and courses like Balanced Body’s Anatomy in 3D. She’s also a licensed Gyrotonic and GYROKINESIS® instructor as well as a certified Polestar Pilates instructor. What she would like to impart to students is having longevity in their dance journey by developing good movement habits.
Denise has only two very very important rules in her class – have fun and be kind!
TAMANA WATANABE | Adult Ballet
Born in Osaka, Japan, Tamana started dancing at the age of 3 at Ono Ballet Studio. From the age of 10, she continued her ballet education at Ballet Academy RELEVÉ. In 2014, she was accepted to train at National Theatre Ballet School in Australia under the direction of Beverly Jane Fry before her graduation in 2016.
Tamana joined Singapore Ballet Ltd. (formally Singapore Dance Theatre) as an apprentice in January 2017 and was promoted to Artist in January 2018. Her repertoire highlights include The Light Behind Us (2021), Romeo and Juliet (2020), Cygnets in Swan Lake (2019), Coppélia, The Nutcracker, Giselle and Sleeping Beauty. She has also danced in 13th Heaven, Paquita, Linea Adora, SYNC, The Four Temperaments, Fives and Quiver.
Tamana was promoted to Demi-Soloist in January 2024. She has been teaching Adult Classes in Singapore Ballet since 2023.
LI YINGYING | Chinese Dance
A graduate of the prestigious Affiliated Secondary School of Beijing Dance Academy (北舞附中) majored in Chinese Classical Dance & former dancer of the renown China National Song & Dance Ensemble (中国中央歌舞团) in 1995, Yingying has participated in numerous performances locally and at overseas.
Li Yingying came to Singapore in early 2000s and has been teaching and promoting Chinese Dance since 2004 in many local school’s CCA classes. Her students have won countless awards in various competitions in including Asia Art Festival, International Art Festival (“IAF”), Vanda International Art Festival Dance Competitions etc.
Li YingYing is one of the founders for ACE Dance Academy in 2021 in order to promote Chinese classical and cultural dance. She is considered one of the most well-respected Chinese dance instructors in Singapore and deeply loved by her students.
XIAO JING | Chinese Dance
A graduate of the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy (北京舞蹈学院) majored in Chinese Classical Dance & former dancer of the renown China Oriental Song and Dance Troupe (中国东方歌舞团); Xiao Jing came to Singapore in 2001 as a full-time dancer. She has been teaching and promoting Chinese Dance since 2004 as regarded as one of the most respected veterans in this area.
Xiao Jing has had her fair share of multiple established coaching roles including providing technique training for the professional dancers of Singapore Chinese Dance Theatre. Xiao Jing now serves as Principal Chinese Dance Teacher for National University of Singapore (“NUS”) as well as Hwa Chong Institution.
She is dedicated to promoting traditional Chinese cultural dance and holds the vision that Chinese dance has to progress with the times to remain relevant and maintain its vitality. She strongly believes that every individual has vast potential with hard work, all can become outstanding dancers.
OSCAR XIE | Administrator / Marketing
Born in Singapore, Oscar is a visual artist and active in the art field. Oscar graduated from the University of the Arts London with Bachelor of Arts degree and also obtained diploma degree from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (“NAFA”). He is currently Resident Artist at The Temporary Place Singapore and has done many collaborations of exhibition projects locally.
He chanced upon similarities between the artistry of ballet and his own artistic practices thus taking on the opportunity to learn from a different discipline of arts to further his insight in this field.
He sees that in the realm of artistic expression, the connection between fine arts painting and ballet is profound and multifaceted. While they belong to different disciplines—painting being a static visual art form and ballet a dynamic performance art—they share a common thread in their pursuit of beauty, emotion, and storytelling.
Terms & Conditions
All parents and students are requested to note that enrolments to Kadence Ballet Academy classes, as well as attendance of workshops or any activities and productions organized by the academy, are subject to the terms and conditions below. Kadence Ballet Academy may modify these Terms and Conditions at any time.
Registration, fees and refunds
- One invoice will be raised upon registration which will include:
- Refundable deposit; this applies for Kadence Scholar Programme and Kadence Soloists Programme students only, subject to the terms in the program contracts;
- Term fee for the classes;
- Required class leotard(s);
- No registration fees for first time students; should a student withdraw and re-join the academy an $150 non-refundable administration fee will apply.
- All payments made are non-transferrable and non-refundable (except for the deposit, subject to terms and conditions); students must complete their registration and pay all fees in full before they start attending classes; there will be no refunds for any missed classes.
- No refund of fees will be made for withdrawal before the term is over and the remaining lessons will be forfeited.
- No refunds will be given for missed classes.
- No pro-rating of fees except for students joining Kadence Ballet Academy for the first time during the middle of a term. Students are required to arrange make up lessons by contacting our receptions. Please refer to make up policy part.
- Kadence Ballet Academy reserves the right to change instructor of a class when necessary; in the event an instructor is changed and class goes on, no refund will be given.
- If a class is cancelled due to the sickness of the teacher, a health epidemic or any other seen or unforeseen event, the Academy will endeavour to reschedule the class. This may be on a different day or a different time or both from when the class was originally scheduled and might involve an extension to the term time dates. No refunds will be given in this case. In the case we are not able to arrange an reschedule of the class, a refund will be given back to the students.
- For private classes, a 24 hours’ notice must be given to cancel a class with no fee to be charged. If a less than 24 hours’ notice is given, half the fee will be charged.
Make-up policy
- 4 Make-up classes per enrolment per term are offered. For e.g. if a student is enrolled in 1x RAD class per term, 4 make up will be given; if a student is enrolled 2x RAD class per term, 8 make up will be given. The choices of make up may include but not limit to: Lower level of RAD classes (or higher, subject to teacher approval) / Contemporary Dance / Chinese dance / Pilates / Gyro / Conditioning / PBT / Adult class (applies to 12+ and above students subject to teacher’s approvals).
- Kadence Ballet Academy will endeavour to arrange the make-up classes among all suitable lessons that are offered by the academy.
- Make up classes are only valid within the existing term and the next term and no carrying forward afterwards, except for PSLE year students which we allow further flexibility on the time frame.
- No changes are allowed after make-up lesson appointments are made and lessons will be forfeited if students do not turn up.
Class Etiquettes
- Dressing code: ballet tights (pink) and ballet shoes; panties that are not visible from outside of the leotard; hair must be neatly in a bun for all classes.
- Punctuality: Be punctual for class; no extension / rescheduling for late comers.
- No food or drink (except for water) is allowed in the studios; please keep the studio clean at all times.
- No mobile phones or other electronic devices are allowed in the studios during classes.
- Students are expected to be attentive during classes; Kadence Ballet Academy reserves the right to remove anyone who is disruptive or abusive to our staff, teaching faculty and/or classmates during classes with immediate effects.
- Parents or caretakes for young students must be on time to pick up your child immediately upon class dismissal; Kadence Ballet Academy’s responsibility for minor students begins only when the child is delivered to the class room when a teacher is present in the room till the dismissal of the class.
Royal Academy of Dance Students
- Kadence Ballet Academy reserve the right and sole discretion to decide whether student is ready to take the RAD exam. The final decision is within the school.
- For students who wish to take the RAD exams we require G3 and above to conduct 2x weekly classes throughout the syllabus; for PP-G2 2x during the 6 months before the exam date.
- All students taking the RAD exam are required to RAD Exam Fee (set each year by the Royal Academy of Dance) and the Kadence Ballet Academy RAD Exam Admin & Preparation Fee (SGD $60) before the RAD registration deadline.
- NO refund of the RAD Exam Fee and Administrative Fee should student decide not to take the RAD exam.
- Kadence Ballet Academy reserves the right to use RAD exam results for marketing purposes, including disclosing exam scores.
Accident Waiver and Release of Liability
- Kadence Ballet Academy is not held responsibility for injury caused and without limiting the generality of the foregoing damage or injury resulting from or caused by any negligence of instructors or other employees. The parent and student agree that Kadence Ballet Academy, and their directors, teachers, officers, employees, volunteers, representatives, or assigns or any persons authorised by the academy shall not be liable or responsible for any and all liability, including, but not limited to, any accident or personal injury sustained or suffered by themselves during any activity connected to the Kadence Ballet Academy programme.
- Kadence Ballet Academy is not held liable for any losses, claims, damages, costs or expenses in connection with any action or claim brought or made arising during any courses or activities organized by the academy neither within the premise of the academy.
- Physical contact may be necessary to demonstrate exercises or techniques during classes. If you have any concerns regarding this matter, please contact us.
Others
- Kadence Ballet Academy reserves all rights over photographs and videos taken during our classes and performances. These materials may be used for our advertisements and publications. Please advise if your child/you is not to be included in any photos/videos. No usage of any form such as copying or reproduction of any materials are allowed without our prior written consent.
- Kadence Ballet Academy reserves all rights to update our Terms & Conditions, fees and class schedules without prior notice;