Passion for Pointe
Featuring Sarah Kang, the only Singaporean competitor in the World Ballet Competition 2009
Passion for pointe |
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Sarah Kang Wei Lin
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She loves ballet. She has been attending dance classes since the age of six. She will be representing Singapore in the upcoming World Ballet Competition 2009 in Orlando, Florida, USA, from 23-27 June.
Her name is Sarah Kang Wei Lin, and she, is only 13 years old.
Currently a student and a member of the school dance team of Singapore Chinese Girls School (SCGS), Sarah has been putting in many hours daily preparing herself for the upcoming competition. According to one of her dance instructors, Ms Yaling Tan, at Cheng Ballet, where she attends ballet classes and private training, Sarah spends an average of 18 hours every week at the ballet studio, on top of school work and CCA.
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Sarah Kang Wei Lin
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Despite being relatively new in the ballet world, Ms Tan mentioned that Sarah is a fast-learner and very hardworking because she has to learn many new things for her solo performance at the competition. But she has never showed signs of giving up.
In fact, Sarah is ecstatic about being able to participate in such a prestigious competition.
A short interview with Sarah revealed her excitement and nervousness regarding competing on an international stage with other talented dancers. She humbly disclosed that she does not expect to win any prize, as this opportunity in itself is a reward, an eye-opening experience and a confidence-booster, both as a person and a dancer.
Ms Hazel Hah, Sarah’s mother, mentioned that it has been almost a year since Sarah was recommended to take part in the competition. She begun training in August last year, and sent in her video at the start this year, with only a 50-50 chance of being picked. Her efforts paid off in April when they received news of her acceptance, and there has been no turning back since. Both her and her husband are extremely proud of Sarah’s achievement thus far, and fully support her in any decision she makes in pursue of a dance career.
The World Ballet Competition is in its third year, bringing together international dancers, aged 10-22, and of all levels of expertise, from beginner to professional. The competition seeks to achieve and encourage excellence in the art of dance, crediting it as one of the top world ballet competitions in the world, with prestigious dancers as judges.
TheAsianParent.com Team wishes Sarah luck in the World Ballet Competition and her future dance endeavors!
