Meet T.H.E Team:
Kuik Swee Boon (Singapore/Malaysia)
Founder and Artistic Director of T.H.E Dance Company (est. 2008) and its annual cont·act Contemporary Dance Festival (est. 2010), Swee Boon rose from performing in Singapore People’s Association Dance Company and Singapore Dance Theatre to becoming the principal dancer of Spain’s Compañia Nacional de Danza (CND) from 2002—2007, performing in works by then Artistic Director Nacho Duato, as well as renowned guest choreographers such as Jiri Kylian, Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin and Wim Vandekeybus.
Under Swee Boon’s direction, T.H.E has become a seminal dance company with a signature voice derived from training in his HollowBodyTM methodology, developed from 2016. This methodology informs Swee Boon’s repertoire of works for T.H.E that has toured many international festivals, including a 360° virtual reality (VR) adaptation of PheNoumenon (2019) created during the pandemic. His numerous commissions include Infinitely Closer (2022) for Esplanade’s da:ns festival, which also marked the opening of the Singtel Waterfront Theatre.
Swee Boon is a 2007 Young Artist Award recipient, a 2003 Benois De La Danse Award nominee, and a 2021—2023 fellow with the International Society for the Performing Arts.
Silvia Yong (Singapore/Malaysia)
Trained in contemporary dance and Chinese classical dance, Silvia’s career began with the People’s Association Dance Company in 1990. She was then a principal dancer with Odyssey Dance Theatre in Singapore from 2000 to 2004. During these years, she was also invited to work with local and regional dance companies, including Arts Fission (Singapore), ECNAD (Singapore), E-Side Modern Dance Company (Hong Kong), and “Xin” Dance Workshop (Malaysia). As a founding member of T.H.E Dance Company, she has performed in the company’s works till 2011.
Silvia holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Dance Education and Training from the London Contemporary Dance School, as well as a Masters of Arts in Contemporary Dance under the National Arts Council’s Arts Bursary. She has taught at several arts and education institutions such as National University of Singapore’s Dance Synergy and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. Currently, she teaches at School of the Arts Singapore.
Silvia has also collaboratively created several original works in Singapore, namely Simple Trouble (1993), Simple Trouble II (1995) and in Malaysia, Beyond the Window (2002). Prominent projects that Silvia has led include Singapore: Inside Out, a commission by Singapore Tourism Board, da:ns festival 2015’s commission Above 40 as co-choreographer and performer that marked her return to the professional performing stage since 2011, and Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s inaugural Cultural Extravaganza in May 2017 with a commissioned new creation performed by dancers from T.H.E Second Company.
Fiona Thng (Singapore)
Fiona has been a full-time dance artist with T.H.E Dance Company since 2019, and was recently appointed as the Assistant to Artistic Director. Over the years with the company, she has trained with and performed in numerous works by Kuik Swee Boon, T.H.E’s resident choreographer Kim Jae Duk, and guest choreographers Dimo Kirilov Milev, Jos Baker, Albert Tiong and Anthea Seah. Fiona also had the honour to tour internationally with the company to various markets and festivals such as Tanzmesse (Germany), OzAsia (Australia), Oriente Occidente (Italy) and other independent venues such as Scenario Pubblico (Italy) and The Coronet Theatre (United Kingdom). In addition to performing, Fiona also teaches, choreographs and facilitates HollowBodyTM workshops with and for the main company, T.H.E Second Company, and T.H.E Training Initiative.
Prior to joining the company, Fiona had the pleasure of working with local choreographers such as Jeffrey Tan, Ryan Tan, Zaki Ahmad and Wee Ee-Ching. She was trained in various dance genres such as hip hop, jazz and street jazz before discovering her interest in contemporary dance. Her diverse exposure has given rise to a love for exploring and formulating unique movement phrases, and infusing different quirks into her movement. She has a deep interest in helping movers and non-movers alike to unlock the physical potential of their bodies, and connecting the community through the power of the arts.
Billy Keohavong (Singapore/Australia)
Billy Keohavong is a first-generation Laotian-Australian artist based in Eora (Sydney). He is a scholarship recipient of both New Zealand School of Dance and Ev & Bow Full-Time Training Centre. Billy is a movement coach and improvisational specialist focusing on character work and sensorial work.
His experiences extend to international borders where he has returned to Singapore as the current Rehearsal Master while remaining as a dance artist with T.H.E Dance Company. He has performed extensively within festivals like Florence Dance Festival (Italy), Fukuoka Fringe Dance Festival (Japan), Daegu Dance Festival (South Korea) and Sydney Festival (Sydney). Billy has also worked with highly acclaimed choreographers such as Kuik Swee Boon, Kim Jae Duk, Ross McCormack, Sue Healy, Martin Del Amo, Meryl Tankard and Dimo Kirilov Milev.
Outside of all of this, Billy is also a part of the Australian Ballroom (Vogue) community and is a member of The House of IMAN based in Aotearoa (New Zealand). He is the current Father of the Sydney Chapter.
Klievert Jon Mendoza (Singapore/Philippines)
Klievert Jon Mendoza graduated from the Philippines High School for the Arts where he received the Outstanding Student Artist Award in 2015. He went on to study at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) in 2018 where he graduated with a Diploma in Dance (Distinction), was named Best Graduate, and received the NAFA President Award. Klievert was the first Filipino to compete in the Youth America Grand Prix 2018, and was awarded the Gold Medal in the pre-professional category of the 2014 Concours International De Danse Classique De Grasse in Paris, France.
Following his graduation from NAFA, Klievert joined T.H.E Dance Company in 2018. Since then, he has graced stages both locally and internationally, captivating audiences with his performances at renowned festivals such as Inteatro Festival, Cross Festival, Florence Dance Festival, and OzAsia, among many others.
Beyond being a performer, Klievert has also ventured into choreography, showcasing his creativity and artistic vision. He took the helm in choreographing the 2020–2021 editions of liTHE, demonstrating his versatility and depth as an artist. Recently, Klievert was also given the opportunity to create an incubation work with T.H.E Second Company for the 14th edition of cont·act Contemporary Dance Festival.
Haruka Leilani Chan (Singapore)
Trained in ballet and Chinese dance from a young age, Haruka’s formal introduction to contemporary dance began at School of the Arts Singapore. In 2017, she was accepted into the New Zealand School of Dance majoring in contemporary dance where she got to train with a prestigious faculty that included Victoria Colombus, Paula Steeds Huston, James O’Hara, Balázs Busa, Daniel Jaber and other guest teachers. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she was unable to complete her final year at NZSD and returned to Singapore, where she joined T.H.E Dance Company in January 2021.
Since joining the company, Haruka has been an integral part of repertoire and original choreographies by Artistic Director Kuik Swee Boon, Resident Choreographer Kim Jae Duk, and guest choreographers such as Jos Baker and Dimo Kirilov Milev. With T.H.E Dance Company, she has danced in shows at home and abroad, traveling to perform in different festivals and theatres worldwide.
Chang En (Singapore)
Chang En first started dancing classical ballet at the age of 4 and through her academic years, working with established choreographers such as Jeffrey Tan, Albert Tiong and Zaki Ahmad. From 2017 to 2021, Chang En was an integral part of T.H.E Second Company, where she honed her skills and talents. This opportunity culminated in her performance with T.H.E Dance Company in February 2021, representing a pivotal moment in her career.
In January 2022, Chang En officially joined T.H.E Dance Company, embarking on a new chapter of her dance journey. Since then, she has been actively performing with the company, showcasing her artistry both locally and internationally. This includes touring to festivals such as OzAsia and performing at independent venues like Scenario Pubblico and The Coronet Theatre.
Jhou Han-Wei (Singapore/Taiwan)
Jhou Han-Wei, born 2001 in Taipei, Taiwan, embarked on his dance journey at the young age of 7. His passion for dance led him to pursue formal training at the Taipei National University of the Arts, where he graduated in 2023.
Throughout his training, Han-Wei has cultivated a versatile skill set, encompassing a wide range of dance styles. From the graceful movements of classical Western dance, including ballet, modern, and contemporary techniques, to the rich traditions of Eastern classical dance, such as Chinese opera, Chinese folk dance, and martial arts, he has immersed himself in diverse cultural expressions. Han-Wei's dedication to mastering various dance forms reflects his commitment to artistic exploration and his desire to push the boundaries of his craft. Han-Wei joined T.H.E Dance Company in 2024, marking his first significant milestone in his dance career.
Carmelita Nuelle Buay (Singapore/Australia)
Carmelita was born in Singapore, grew up in Sydney, Australia and trained in classical and contemporary dance from a young age. She pursued contemporary studies with Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-professional course for two years, and has since collaborated with and performed works by established artists such as Rafael Bonachela, James O’Hara, Gabrielle Nankivell and Sam Coren. Carmelita has performed in Stephanie Lake Company’s internationally toured work Colossus as part of Newcastle’s New Annual Festival.
She worked with the Australian Ballet Company as a junior artist in the professional productions of The Nutcracker and The Story of Clara, working alongside former Artistic Director, David McAllister. Carmelita also spent four years teaching and choreographing at North Shore Dance Academy Sydney, coaching contemporary, classical and commercial styles to younger dancers. She joined T.H.E Dance Company in January 2024.
Athelyna Swee
Athelyna is an arts manager and producer with a decade of experience in Singapore's contemporary dance scene. With a background in early childhood education and a belief in the power of dance to sensitise and deepen one's perception of the world in ways that merely words cannot, she transitioned to arts management in 2014 after completing a Bachelor of Dance (Performance) from Sydney, Australia.
Formerly the Company Manager of Frontier Danceland and Festival Manager of cont·act Contemporary Dance Festival, Athelyna now holds the position of General Manager at T.H.E Dance Company. Notably, she played a pivotal role in securing Frontier Danceland's sold-out performances at Batsheva Hosts by Batsheva Dance Company in 2016, demonstrating her perseverance and dedication to advancing Singapore's contemporary dance on the global stage from the outset of her career. This commitment is also evident in her representation of Singapore's dance artists in various international dance festivals and performing arts markets throughout the years.
Athelyna has also contributed as a member in LASALLE College of the Arts' School of Dance and Theatre's Industry Advisory Group, and served as a mentor in Ngee Ann Polytechnic's Arts Business Management programme in 2020 and 2021. Amidst the constant navigation of Singapore's evolving dance landscape, her career constantly reflects a dual determination to upholding artistic excellence and cultivating meaningful human experiences, both of which are integral to her producing journey.
Sim Yan Ying “YY”
Sim Yan Ying “YY” is a theatre director, creator, and arts administrator who is interested in the intersections and interdisciplinary possibilities between theatre, dance, and other mediums. Her original works include: Where Are You? (Wild Rice/Mabou Mines), pass·ages (Esplanade), (un)becoming (T:>Works), 06:58 (Substation), Who’s There? (New Ohio Theatre), and I LOVE WHITE MEN (Caveat NYC/Ars Nova/Dixon Place). Other directing credits: No Particular Order (Esplanade), #WomenSupportingWomen (T:>Works), and G*d Is A Woman (Wild Rice; associate). YY is presently a director under the Esplanade TRIP programme, an associate artist at Fault Line Theatre, and a dancer in T.H.E’s Training Initiative 2023—2024.
BFA: NYU Tisch.
Crispian Chan
Crispian Chan has recently joined T.H.E Dance Company as a Communications Strategist, bringing with him extensive experience spanning 15 years in arts marketing and performance photography. He has also recently completed his MA in Arts and Cultural Entrepreneurship at the National University of Singapore, providing him with a deep understanding of the arts sector. At T.H.E, Crispian’s primary focus is to develop and implement media strategies to expand the company's outreach, ensuring meaningful engagement and sustained interaction with contemporary dance enthusiasts and partners alike.
Previously, Crispian served as creative director and designer at Pangdemonium Theatre Company. In this role, he was instrumental in building the company's identity, particularly through developing their seasonal campaigns and season ticket branding. His efforts significantly bolstered their digital presence, enhancing their online outreach and engagement. He also worked in programme marketing and admissions at LASALLE College of the Arts, contributing to the institution’s outreach initiatives. Alongside his strategic role, Crispian continues his passion for photography through CRISPI, where he maintains an established portfolio as a performance photographer for Singapore’s performing arts industry.
Kevin Yeoh
A business professional excelling in growth and development, with a profound passion for music and the performing arts, Kevin is fueled by creativity and analytical acumen and brings an innovative perspective to his endeavours.
Beyond the office, Kevin finds joy in life's finer things. Tending to his indoor garden and exploring nature's botanical wonders, his connection with plants symbolises appreciation for beauty and resilience. Hiking is Kevin's solace, and he draws parallels between the challenges of the outdoors and his professional journey. Kevin’s creativity and diverse interests shape his holistic approach to career and life, and his journey continues to reflect commitment, growth, and passion.
Kim Jae Duk
Jae Duk has been T.H.E Dance Company’s Resident Choreographer since 2010.
As Founder, Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer of Modern Table Dance Company (est. 2013), his works are known for their unique dynamic curves, rapid movements, and modern reinterpretation of traditional Korean forms, making him a highly sought-after choreographer beyond Korea. Lub Dub, choreographed for Bale Teatro Castro Alves, was selected by the Brazilian magazine BRAVO as one of the 10 best shows of 2017. Another notable work, Darkness Poomba, has been invited to The Place in London in 2016, Chekhov International Theatre Festival in 2017, Yokohama Dance Collection 2021 as a masterpiece selection, and to LG Arts Center in Seoul. Jae Duk’s talents also extend to music; he composes the original music for almost all of his choreographies.
