Hsien Fa
Founder and Artistic Director

A prolific choreographer and teacher, Cheng Hsienfa’s creative works have won much recognition and awards, both locally and internationally.

As a choreographer at the Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (SCGS), all his works so far, including “Serenade”, “Allegro Brilliante” and “Swan” have been awarded the Gold with Honours at the Singapore Youth Festival. In 2010, under Mr. Cheng’s coaching, SCGS took part in The Barcelona Costa Brava International Dance Competition 2010, and won numerous prizes, including First Prize for Classical Ballet and the Dance Grand Prix Europe Prize for being the top performing group, as well as winning the Best Costumes Award.

He also personally coaches students for participation in the World Ballet Competition in Orlando where his contemporary works were presented. His coaching has also enabled his students to win the Overall Champion awards in the Asia Pacific Dance Competition Classical Ballet Category since 2008 and most recently a 3rd place win in the 2011 American Ballet Competition Ensemble Category.

The school is also proud that all of its students who took part in the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing (CSTD) Examination passed with Honours Plus.

Mr. Cheng began his dance education in his native Taiwan training at the National Taiwan Academy of Arts and The National Taiwan University of Arts where he was awarded the Honorable Ballet Dancer award in 1988.

Mr. Cheng's career started in 1987 when he participated in the 2nd New York International Ballet Competition and was awarded the scholarship to train at The Joffrey Ballet and The Atlanta Ballet in U.S.A. In 1994 he was invited to perform in The 14th World Ballet Festival gala night in Havana, Cuba. In 2005 Mr. Cheng received the NAC grant to study with Attballetto in Italy.

Mr. Cheng has also worked extensively with The Atlanta Ballet, The Metropolitan Ballet Theatre, and the National Ballet de Caracas in Venezuela as principal dancer. In 1995, he joined Singapore Dance Theatre as Principal Artist and later, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre in Taiwan in 2003. Mr. Cheng made his choreographic debut in the 1999 April/May season of Ballet under the Stars for Singapore Dance Theatre and has created many master works.

Besides being a choreographer at SCGS, Mr. Cheng’s teaching experience also includes teaching at the LaSalle College of Arts as a ballet master.

Cheng Hsienfa has been the Artistic Director of Cheng Ballet Academy since 2006, which he co-founded with this wife, Tan Yaling, who is also the Principal of the Academy. They have a three-year old boy, Leo, and together, they realise their dreams and passion for dance.

I started ballet classes with Hsienfa in 2000 and his patient instruction inspired me to develop a passion for dance. I have never looked back since. Ballet gives me a new way to express myself and I also love the music. I really enjoy classes at Cheng Ballet and the stage exposure during productions helped to increase my confidence.

It is rare to find teachers like Hsienfa and Yaling who encourage and motivate students to reach their potential, no matter what their ability, experience, age, size, or body shape.