Meet Koh You Min Mandy (Year 2, Business), an emerging force in the NUS dance community and the personification of sheer passion and dedication to her craft. As one of the Dance Captains of NUS Dance Blast! and a recipient of the Performing and Visual Arts (PVA) Scholarship, Mandy's leadership journey is a testament to the positive influence of the arts. Once a gymnast, she is now a seasoned dancer, CCA leader, and is extending her influence beyond NUS to teaching beginner dance classes to the public.
A year after she received the PVA scholarship, we caught up with Mandy to find out more about her journey in dance and what are her sources of inspiration.
Mandy (left, doing floorwork) at Battle of the Blastards! 2024, an internal dance battle organised by NUS Dance Blast!
OSA: How did you start your journey in dance?
When I was 10, I started watching Dance Moms, an American reality television show which featured pre-teen girls competing in dance competitions, and I became attracted to dance. Their competition pieces really amazed me. It made me realise that dance was not only crazily beautiful, but it also carried so many emotions that cannot be expressed otherwise. I started to attend a few dance open classes at the end of that year and realised how much I enjoyed dancing and performing.
I changed my primary school CCA from artistic gymnastics to dance when I was 11 and started weekly contemporary training classes. At 12, I joined the school’s dance troupe and started dancing competitively. Joining competitions became a key driving factor in improving my craft and as such, there was no end to wanting to improve myself.
In secondary school, I pursued gymnastics as a CCA again, while juggling external dance classes. Despite having very busy schedules, I am grateful to have included gymnastics and dance in my life. My background in gymnastics has really helped me to build my foundation in dance, in terms of strength, flexibility, stunts and etc.
Mandy Koh in a contemporary photoshoot at Gardens by the Bay. Shot by Alex Chua (@acmhphotos).
OSA: Tell us more about the dance classes you teach outside of NUS.
I started teaching weekly open choreography classes at New Heights Studio about a year ago, and it’s been really fun! I choreograph movements based on how music makes me feel. Teaching classes has also helped me to grow in different areas where attending my own dance practices can’t offer. For example, choreographing has helped me develop my own style, while teaching has helped me to better understand my own movements.
OSA: Are there any NUS scholarship recipients who inspire you?
My NUS Dance Blast! co-dance captain Vienna Fiorella Anong, a fellow PVA scholarship recipient, inspires me! As a choreographer, she adopts a more open and contemporary style, and is able to effectively convey story-telling through movements. I hope to learn from her as we will work together for this AY.
Mandy Koh (centre, in a green top and sleeves) in Lirong’s item from DanzPeople Recital 2024. DanzPeople is a dance studio in Singapore.
OSA: What are your hopes for the NUS dance scene?
I hope to spread more love and appreciation for dance, and also push the boundaries of the dance scene in NUS. On a personal front, I hope that I will keep growing, and continue to love and be inspired by dance.
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