When Ms Kat Lam, 62, took her granddaughter to her first ballet class in 2019, the worried four-year-old refused to let go of her hands.
Hoping to soothe the girl, the teacher invited Ms Lam to join the children's class.
While she was hesitant then, these days, Ms Lam, a semi-retiree, takes bi-weekly classes at The Ballet Academy in Upper Thomson Road.
The grandmother of six told The Straits Times: "Since I was young, I have always admired ballet for its costumes and graceful movements. As my parents could not afford to send me to classes, I am fulfilling my childhood dream now."
She is one of many picking up ballet as adults.
Ballet schools told ST there has been an uptick in adult enrolment, with students of both genders ranging from their early 20s to 60s. About half of them had no ballet experience.
Singapore Ballet has seen a 30 to 40 per cent increase in students in its adult ballet classes between 2022 and 2024. Classes start at $20 for 90 minutes and cover levels from beginner to advanced.
At City Ballet Academy Vaganova in Tanglin Mall, enrolments for its adult classes surged from fewer than 10 students when it opened in 2022 to over 100 by October 2024.
The school, which teaches the Russian ballet method Vaganova, has expanded from two to six weekly classes to cope with the demand. Another two weekly classes will be added by mid-November.
Its school director and principal Ilya Shcherbakov attributes the growth to an increased awareness of fitness among adults, many of whom are looking to improve their posture.
The Covid-19 lockdown also enabled many to explore ballet as a hobby or rekindle their childhood passion for dance through online videos, he said.
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin October 29, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin October 29, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
NO SNOW, BUT SANTA'S STILL AT WORK
With a month to go until Christmas, Santa Claus is busy preparing, but he is worried about the warming climate and lack of snow in his Arctic home town.
My Chemical Romance ex-drummer Bob Bryar was active in dog rescue
Bob Bryar, the former drummer of pop-punk band My Chemical Romance, who was with the group from 2004 to 2010, has died at the age of 44.
Lady Gaga to hold free gig at Rio's Copacabana Beach: Sources
Pop star Lady Gaga is set to hold a free concert at Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach in May 2025, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, a show expected to draw hundreds of thousands of fans.
Taylor Swift fans turn out on Black Friday for vinyl album, new Eras Tour book
Young Taylor Swift fans and their parents lined up outside some of Target's nearly 2,000 stores in America early on Nov 29 - Black Friday - to buy copies of her new Eras Tour book and vinyl album.
K-drama actor Jung Woo-sung apologises after scandal on love child
One of South Korea's top actors apologized after it was revealed he fathered a child with a woman he is not married to, sparking nationwide scrutiny in a country where births outside marriage are still seen as taboo.
Festive vibes with Vivaldi at SSO's choral concert
CONCERT GLORIA!
An exploration of personal identities through dance
As one stepped into the theatre, a dancer was already on stage, performing a short series of movements.
BoA's first solo show harks back to K-pop's roots
The South Korean singer-songwriter's Singapore show was the last stop of her first Asia tour
The myth of an equal marriage
Research has shown that married women continue to do more at home compared with their husbands, so it is time for men to step up
What to do if your child is targeted by a bully
Following recent incidents of school bullying, several parents wrote in to ST to ask for advice on how they can help their children if they are targeted by a bully or bullying someone.
