The Grace of a Ballerina
︎real time update7 Augest 12am (NZDT), UTC +13
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The Grace of a Ballerina : Chua Biru
I first met biru at New Creation Church. She left an impression on me because she pursued what she loved - ballet, she stood away from the norms and didn’t allow the world’s demands to affect her.
Everyone’s on a journey in life. For Biru and her journey of ballet, it started at the age of 7, with the encouragement from her mother who had also practiced ballet to a high level.
Later in life, she had great performing opportunities with her ballet school(Singapore Ballet Academy [SBA] and my academic school (SCGS). Being able to trained at these places propelled her into training full time in New Zealand School of Dance. Another event that helped Biru to shape her journey of becoming a professional dancer was an exchange programme, it allowed her to perform with The Washington Ballet at the age of 14. As she exclaims, “it’s an eye opening experience being able to perform along side the company members.”
It’s not easy being a ballerina -
“I started when I was 7! This is my 19th pointe shoes this year (2022).”
Imagine training everyday, being at practice from 8am, starting your day with ballet classes, amending your pointe shoes, catching a short break and continuing with more ballet classes until 5pm. That’s only in one day. And this intensity varies according to how close it is to performance day for biru.
It amazes me how Biru devotes her whole life into an art form that brings her joy. She knows the reason and whom this gift is from. She’s living a life larger than performing for her own accolades.
While documenting her, I witnessed how much she had to sacrifice for her passion. Similar to fighters i had the honour to document in Evolve MMA.
There were tears, sweat, injuries and the need to maintain their body condition at their prime in order to perform well.
She is an athlete who trained her whole life for these significant moments on stage.Everyone sees the glamour, but there’s so much more that happens before the curtains are drawn to the wings. And this photo essay hopes to show the hard work and heart behind each time biru dances.
Thank you, Beloved Biru for agreeing to let me share your Grace story!
Biru on stage before her performance at Fort Canning for Ballet Under the Stars, 2022.
The history of ballet:
Ballet was invented even before 1669, originally an italian word “Balleto”, which translates to “little dance” in english.
Interestingly, Royal officials used to participate in dance at royal events, using body gestures similar to what they would use in a royal court. These elements of grace and gentlemanliness are still seen in ballet pieces today.
What started as a social gathering became an artistic performance when King Louis XIV pioneered his ballet piece “ballet de la nuit” or “ballet of the night”, starring him as the sun king in the midst of a dark time in french history. He even appointed ballet masters, playwrights and musicians.
King Louis made ballet a beautiful storytelling art form of body gestures in motion. I wouldn’t be surprised if musicals and films were inspired by one of the oldest art form (ballet) in the world.
Ballet Costumes from Singapore Ballet.
Singapore ballet:
While documenting Biru at her ballet class in Singapore Ballet and later at Fort canning park for “Ballet under the Stars” - I remembered the first “Ballet under the Star” i saw when i was a theatre student years ago, it left an impression of wonder and attracted me to the next shows.
It was the environment and storytelling had a mysterious way of making me feel like I was in a totally different time and space.
Since 1987, Singapore Ballet (formerly known as Singapore Dance Theatre) has been impacting generation of singaporeans, gathering people of all races and differences to Dance performances. Renamed in 2021 due to its prestigious regionally recognition and their new vision for Ballet Singapore, see it here - About: Singapore Ballet.
Although once a colonial country, arts has made its mark in this tiny nation, increasingly so with companies such as Singapore Ballet.
Singapore has built up exciting art performances and exhibitions that i look forward to every time when I'm back in singapore.
As a Singaporean, I am really proud of how we have such a pool of talented creatives.
Artisinhistory:
Biru preparing for her technical rehearsals.
Star Balm.
It is also important for her to prepare her body. It’s more intensive than we can ever imagine.
Sewing pointe shoes are an essential part of a ballerina’s practice - it helps with support and comfort to the ballerina especially for long and intensive performances.
Markings on the floor helps ballerinas to be in position of a featured lighting.
Behind the scenes of wardrobe change - it’s a race against time.
Biru is always seen with a smile. Like a joy from within, no matter the situation.
In her words, this is a verse she holds on to,
“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
“for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
“Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities,”
“Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities,”
“that the power of Christ may rest upon me - II Corinthians 12:9 NKJV”
Biru getting ready for her cue to the Ballet under the stars
The end of the first piece
Backstage where every magic is concealed.
Biru ends her day in Singapore Ballet, Bugis +
This concludes my journey of storytelling in Singapore.
Story told in New Zealand - the oasis of where Biru’s journey begin.
Thank you for reading
His Grace Story.
RAW thoughts (artist statement) -
This project started with the intention of telling His grace story over Biru’s life. While in the midst of doing so, has intertwined with my life as a visual storyteller.
For the longest time, I struggled with writing. I even remembered buying a typewriter to encourage myself to write more, in which I’ve realised the font here mimics a typewriter’s which i believe is no mere coincidence. You may notice plenty of “i realise” and “i thought” because writing has recently became a beautiful form of art to me: the art of being able to write our thoughts down clearly.
So,this is my Version 2.0 / 7 tries or more of trying to complete this essay, stronger, better because of Christ. I’m so thankful to be where i am right now and grateful for the encouraging people he put around me.
The truth is, i realise i had no mind space for this. But by god’s grace, He helped me navigate why i’m here in new zealand - for a needful career break and break the need to be a perfect artist. Now, I just want to live and be excited about the present moments. Rather than the past or the promised future.
One example that stood out throughout this whole journey is my visit to Weta (production) Workshop here in Auckland, they transformed behind the scenes of movie sets into an exhibition, how brilliant. In this, I am reminded of the beauty in creating is not in the end product but the making of it.
The second example is the visit to Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, an artist that never stopped creating even when her life season changes, she makes the most of what she have (to fill up artist’s name)
Every little thing inspired me through the 6 months here in New Zealand, in particular reading and writing the word. I have so much more to share, but it shall be stories for another time, for now let’s not be distracted by the purpose of this story. So here goes.. all glory and honour to the one whom like a gardener, has groomed me ever so patiently.
Here’s to a combination of art, history and His story. #Artisinhistory. All of which interests me and brings joy to my heart.
Psalm 16:11 “You will make known to me the way of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy”
I hope it inspired you to dream bigger than yourself.
Special thanks to
Christ Jesus
Chua Biru
Singapore Ballet
Dylan John Tan
Victory
Kenneth Tay