Photo Credit: Faye Tan
LOW MEI YOKE is the co-founder of Frontier Danceland and is one of the pioneer choreographers who has the vision of creating a unique blend of contemporary dance with a distinctive Singaporean style. Fusing Eastern aesthetics with Western movement vocabulary, Low’s choreography focuses on honest portrayals of human emotions, zeal and relentless drive. Her works are contemplative, evoking reflection and introspection, and are often celebrated for being bold, imaginative and thought-provoking. She also enjoys creating works that represent Singapore’s vibrant and diverse society. In recognition of her contributions to the arts in Singapore, National Arts Council conferred her with Cultural Medallion Award in 2018.
Low’s choreographic works have been performed to great success and favourable reviews. Her work, Cloud, was showcased to much acclaim at 2000 Feet – A Celebration of World Dance, a dance festival held in Philadelphia, USA. Dance critic, Brenda Dixon Gottschild, praised it as a first-rate performance in America’s foremost dance publication, Dance Magazine. In 2015, her work Fade portrayed an obscure historical feature of Singaporean culture, Ma Jie. Other notable works include Abortion, Asking Dance, Crying Earth, Grandmother’s Tale, Refuges, The First Emperor, In the Moment, White and Unlock. Excerpts of her works have toured internationally to Portugal, Belgium, Germany, France, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia, bringing a uniquely Singaporean narrative not just to other Asian countries, but also to the Western frontiers.
An advocate of contemporary dance education in Singapore, Low is currently the resident choreographer and instructor of Nanyang Girls’ High School Modern Dance co-curriculum activity group, as well as the mentor of Raffles Institution and Cedar Girls’ Secondary School modern dance co-curriculum activity groups. Under her tutelage, the schools have consistently performed outstandingly at Singapore Youth Festival arts presentations, often achieving Gold with Honours and Distinctions. She created the creative platforms of PULSE and Dancers’ Locker to enable youth dancers and emerging choreographers to hone their training and explore choreography.
Low’s expertise in contemporary dance led her to receive invitations to be part of the distinguished panel of judges in Malaysia National Chinese Cultural Dance Open Competitions and Hong Kong Bauhinia Cup Dance Championship.