Head, School of Dance & Theatre

Melissa Quek

MELISSA QUEK
  • MA with Distinction (Dance Cultures), University of Surrey, UK
  • BFA Honours (Dance and English & American Literature), Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, USA 

Melissa Quek is Head, School of Dance & Theatre at LASALLE College of the Arts and is also Programme Leader for the Diploma in Dance and BA (Hons) International Contemporary Dance Practices programmes.

She is a choreographer, performer and educator whose research and choreographic interest lies in investigating the body-subject. Her works and creative process attempt to touch on questions of agency, materiality and perception to create a visceral experience for the audience. 

Melissa enjoys multidisciplinary collaborative works, Site based work such as site-specific outdoor performance Tracing the City (2016) and cause-based performances and workshops such as Stride with Pride, a performance aimed at increasing respect for wheelchair users. She founded The Kueh Tutus, a collective dedicated to creating dance for young audiences and has created several works that have been presented at The Artground, toured regional libraries and appeared in various festivals at The Esplanade Theatres. 

Melissa has managed and designed a variety of MOE-NAC Dance-related initiatives such as the Dance Talent Development Programme, and Strategic Partnership CCA (Ethnic Dance). She also mentors the choreographic work of young and emerging artists through institutions such as *SCAPE, and occasionally writes articles and edu-packs to make contemporary dance more accessible. Her reviews of dance performances can often be spotted in The Straits Times. Melissa frequently serves on a variety of grant and award panels when invited. These include committees such as The Arts Fund, Cultural Medallion and Young Artist Award (Dance) recommendation panel, and the Assessment Panels for Major Company Scheme: Dance and Traditional Arts.

Read More
Video

  • ‘Exploring dance improvisation and composition from a rhythmic perspective’ by Darren Moore and Melissa Quek in Improvisation Methods and Practices in Southeast Asia : Music, Dance and Theatre, eds. Darren Moore and Stephanie Burridge (2026)
  • ‘Open Culture’ as practiced by Three Singaporean Dance Pioneers’ by Quek,M and Tan Ngiap Heng in Dance On! Dancing Through Life, eds. Stephanie Burridge and Charlotte Svendler Nielsen (2023)
  • ‘Interconnections: Overview of contemporary dance scene from the 1990s to 2020’ in The Routledge Companion to Dance in Asia and the Pacific, ed. Stephanie Burridge (2021) 
  • ‘Going from “Hmm…” to “Ah Ha”: 6 Tips for Appreciating Contemporary Dance’, Esplanade.com All About (online) (2018)
  • ‘Kuik Swee Boon: Fighter, Dreamer, Dance’r, Esplanade In-depth, Asian Dancemakers series (online) (2018)
  • ‘Interconnections: Overview of the Contemporary Dance Scene from the 1990s to the Present’, in The Next Wave: Celebrating Dance in Singapore, eds. Caren Carino and Stephanie Burridge (2014)

  • The GroundBreakers 2019 Incubation Residency, The ArtGround (2019)
  • The GroundBreakers 2018 Incubation Residency, The ArtGround (2018)
  • Janet Adshead Award, Department of Dance, Film and Theatre University of Surrey, UK (2012)

Performances (choreographer)

  • How I Made Friends with a Dancing Bird, Asian Civilisations Museum (2025)
  • The Magic Sampans, The Art Ground (2024)
  • Just As I Am, (Dance for Young Audiences) The Kueh Tutus, Esplanade Theatres PLAYtime! (2023)
  •  In the Painters’ Studio, (Dance for Young Audiences) The Kueh Tutus, The Art Ground (2023)
  • Alice’s Topsy Turvy Teaparty, (Dance for Young Audiences) The Kueh Tutus, Esplanade Theatres, March On! (2021)
  • Grow With Me, The ArtGround (2019)
  • Alice’s Topsy Turvy Tea Party, Octoburst! (Developmental Works), Library@the Esplanade; Singapore (2018)
  • Babes in the Forest, Tots Thursdays, National Museum of Singapore, Glass Rotunda; Singapore (2018)
  • Here, There. Where?, Got to Move; Connaught Drive; Singapore (2017)
  • Fold, Crinkle, Roll, Octoburst!, Esplanade Concourse; Singapore (2017)
  • Tracing the City (Work in Process), Civic District; Singapore (2016)
  • Shifting Interactions, Night Festival, National Museum of Singapore, Singapore (2016)
  • 5 Points in Unexpected Places, Art Week 2016 (in conjunction with the 5 Star exhibition), Singapore Art Museum; Singapore (2016)
  • Chopsticks (A Duet), M1 Open Stage 2016, Gallery Theatre, National Museum Singapore; Singapore (2016)
  • The Lightbox Project, Night Festival 2015, The Deck, Singapore (2015)
  • The Bunhead Lecture, 48:00 (RAW Moves), The Deck, Singapore (2015)
  • Twitterverse, Graduation show NOW, LASALLE SIA Theatre; Singapore (2015)
  • Simultaneum, COS*MO Art Exhibition opening, McNally Campus and Winstedt LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore (2013)
  • RE:Looking at RE:Gina, The Substation Theatre; Singapore (2013)
  • Stride with Pride, Wheelchair Awareness, Chamber, The Arts House; Singapore (2013)
  • Mindbath, NParks Community based event, Dhoby Ghaut Amphitheatre; Singapore (2012)
  • One Fine Day; The Arts House, Blue Room; Singapore (2012)
  • RE:gina is Dead!, Open Call, The Substation Theatre; Singapore (2010)
  • Timeline Revisited, Drama Centre, Black Box; Singapore (2009)
  • No Strings Attached, M1 Fringe Festival, The Substation Theatre; Singapore (2009)
  • TIMELINE, Drama Centre, Black Box; Singapore (2008)
  • Prodigal, The Substation Theatre; Singapore (2007)
  • Judah Ben Hur The Musical, University Cultural Centre, National University of Singapore; Singapore (2002)

Performances (performer/dancer)

  • Mark, Daniel Kok, various sites, SIFA 2017; Singapore (2017)
  • 48:00, Raw Moves, The Deck; Singapore (2015)
  • Free, Raw Moves/Ricky Sim, Black Box, Goodman Arts Centre; Singapore (2014)
  • RE:Looking at RE:Gina, The Substation Theatre; Singapore (2013)
  • When the Bough Breaks, Tammy Wong, Play Den, The Arts House; Singapore (2013)
  • Love Story, Tammy Wong, The Arts House, Play Den; Singapore (2011)
  • Missing Statement, Susan Yeung, M1 Fringe Festival, The Substation Theatre; Singapore (2010)
  • Yellow Monkey, Chong Yeun Soo, SIDance, Jayu Theatre, Seoul Arts Centre; Seoul, South Korea (2009)
  • Secret Journey, John Meade), FYI, Theatre Studio, Esplanade Theatres; Singapore (2009)
  • Walls, Ebelle Chong, Singapore Arts Festival, Theatre Studio, Esplanade Theatres; Singapore (2008)
  • Silence From the Other Side of the Moon, Kuik Swee Boon, da:ns festival, Theatre Studio, Esplanade Theatres; Singapore (2008)
  • Something Wrong, Nick Ng and Albert Tiong, 02 Square Series, Frontier Danceland Studio; Singapore (2007)
  • About Last Night, Tammy Wong, da:ns festival, Theatre Studio, Esplanade Theatres; Singapore (2006)
  • Yin Restricted, Low Mei Yoke, da:ns festival, RASAS, Esplanade Concourse; Singapore (2006)
  • Silence, Kuik Swee Boon, 8th Asian Arts Festival, Beijing China (2006)
  • Trails, Melissa Quek, The Substation Theatre; Singapore (2006)
  • Transparent Ground, Ricky Sim, M1 Fringe Festival, The Substation Theatre; Singapore (2005)
  • Rain, Tammy Wong; Khoo Auditorium, Singapore Chinese Girls School; Singapore (2002)
  • Judah Ben Hur The Musical; University Cultural Centre, National University of Singapore; Singapore (2002)
  • Remembering Jesus, Tammy Wong, The Substation Theatre; Singapore (2000)

Curatorial

  • Coordinator and programme designer, Strategic Partnership CCA (Ethnic Dance), NAC-MOE; Singapore (2019)
  • Creative team leader (programme curation), GTM Pop Up 9th June Educational Segments; Singapore (2018)
  • Coordinator and programme designer, Essential Learning Module for AEP Instructors (Dance), LASALLE-NAC; Singapore (2016–2018)
  • Programme designer and manager, NAC-MOE Dance Talent Development Programme; Singapore (2012–2017)

Presentations

  • Interactive systems and the Choreography of Curiosity, DanceTECH Research showcase SWEAT Hong Kong International Workshop Festival 2025 
  • A Rhythmic Approach to Dance Pedagogy by Dr. Darren Moore and Melissa Quek, Perspectives in Performing Arts Pedagogy conference by Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance (2023)
  • Deliberate Disruption: Case Study of Alice’s Topsy Turvy Tea Party, SDEA Theatre Arts Conference 2021-Creative Disruption: Exploring New Ground (2021)
  • Engagement of Students in Dance Learning: Creative Tools and Strategies for Teachers, Masterclass presenter e-Arts Education Conference (e-AEC) (2020)
  • Learning In and Through Dance, MOE Arts Education Conference (2018)
  • Arts for the Future: Intersections and Transformation, Spotlight (Dance); Singapore (2018)
  • Pecha Kucha-Unpacking, Fold, Crinkle, Roll: A Dance-Theatre Work for Young Audiences, SDEA; Singapore (2017)
  • Designing the Future, Performing the Past a Case Study on Returning, IFTR (2016)
  • Art Education and Arts in Education: A Dancer’s Perspective, Concurrent Session of the East Zone Professional Sharing by PLMGS; Singapore (2015)

Practice-as-research

  • Interactive systems and the choreography of curiosity 
  • Community arts projects: Body Mapping series, a dance improvisation and movement generation structure that focuses on reclaiming the body through personal history to empower women who have battled with various body related issues, IAm Festival 2013 (May 2012)
  • Dance for young audiences

  • Dance for young and very young audiences through a focus on the senses and embodiment
  • Early development of dance in Singapore

  • NAC Market & Audience Development Grant, In the Painters’ Studio at CUTE FEST Macau, S$11,000 (2025)
  • NAC Presentation & Participation Grant, Alice’s Topsy Turvy Tea Party,  S$20,000 (2020)
  • NAC Presentation & Participation Grant, In Search of You, S$12,000 (2020)
  • NAC Creation Grant, Plastic, S$50,000 (2019)