Sofia Zobel-Elizalde, founder and director, Steps Dance Studio and Steps Scholarship Foundation (Philippines)
Cover Sofia Zobel-Elizalde, founder and director, Steps Dance Studio and Steps Scholarship Foundation

The dreams of promising young talent in the region take flight with support from the most prominent names in the world of dance

The celebrated artistic directors and patrons on Asia’s Most Influential list support the power of dance in conveying what words cannot capture. Through the universal language of movement, dance brings people together, offering joy, evoking emotion and, at times, igniting action through the important themes it explores. These choreographers and teachers also transform lives by leading dance companies and studios where young people can pursue their dreams of becoming professional dancers, while patrons have established schools and foundations that provide scholarships for promising talent. For these dedicated supporters of the art, movement is a powerful tool that, apart from telling stories and preserving culture, can uplift communities.

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Tsung-lung Cheng, artistic director, Cloud Gate (Taiwan)

Tatler Asia
Tsung-lung Cheng, artistic director, Cloud Gate (Taiwan)
Above Tsung-lung Cheng, artistic director, Cloud Gate

Cloud Gate, one of the most acclaimed dance companies in the world, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2023. To celebrate the milestone, artistic director Tsung-lung Cheng creates Waves, a new production that explores the human body and artificial intelligence, and embarks on a year-long programme in Taiwan and Europe. The contemporary dance company had already premiered its revival of Legacy (created by Cloud Gate founder Lin Hwai-min) last April and will go on a nationwide tour of the classic until June. Later in November, Cloud Gate will also return to Europe with Cheng’s 13 Tongues and Lunar Halo.

Since becoming Cloud Gate’s artistic director in 2020, Cheng has injected his innovative perspective into the company’s productions, drawing inspiration from varied sources such as street life, folk religion and the digital world. His production of 13 Tongues, for example, was inspired by a street artist of the same name from Bangka, where Cheng sold slippers as a child. Meanwhile, in Lunar Halo, he explores the theme of change and our reliance on technology with the use of LED panels and the haunting soundtrack made by Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós.

Read Tsung-lung Cheng’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

Sofia Zobel-Elizalde, founder and director, Steps Dance Studio and Steps Scholarship Foundation (Philippines)

Tatler Asia
Sofia Zobel-Elizalde, founder and director, Steps Dance Studio and Steps Scholarship Foundation (Philippines)
Above Sofia Zobel-Elizalde, founder and director, Steps Dance Studio and Steps Scholarship Foundation

To nurture future dance professionals, Sofia Zobel-Elizalde founded Steps Dance Studio, the progressive dance school that teaches the power of movement through a programme aligned with the syllabus of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). Further expanding her support to students, the director also established Steps Scholarship Foundation, which provides training to promising young dancers, with some receiving full scholarships. “When they leave Steps, they basically have got the RAD syllabus under their belt, and they would have had exposure from working with these incredible choreographers who come through the studio,” she said to Tatler. “I want their minds to be exposed to progressive dance and art.”

In April 2023, the patroness co-produced a series of shows featuring the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company (ABT) to benefit the Center of Excellence in Public Elementary Education. ABT’s first Filipino-American principal dancer Stella Abrera and its artistic director Sascha Radetsky also held masterclasses at Zobel-Elizalde’s dance studio. The celebration of dance continues this month, with Steps premiering the Steps Summer Concert 2023 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre on May 28.

Read Sofia Zobel-Elizalde’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

Yuri Ng, artistic director, City Contemporary Dance Company (Hong Kong)

Tatler Asia
Yuri Ng, artistic director, City Contemporary Dance Company (Hong Kong)
Above Yuri Ng, artistic director, City Contemporary Dance Company

For summer, Yuri Ng, artistic director of City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC), reflects on the journeys people take and the choices that lead them to various paths. “Journey is a key theme for me as I think about this year’s pieces, whether it is the journey of the dead, the journey of a life cycle, the journey of human relationships or the journey of a transition from one place to another,” he explained. This month, CCDC presents a double-bill performance of Travel of Soul Time After Time and Echo in the Mirror, with Travel touching on the journey of life and death through “intense and bizarre” imagery and Echo exploring everyday journeys.

The multi-faceted Ng, who is also involved in drama, classical music, stage setting and costume design, started ballet training at six years old and then studied dance in Canada and the US. Upon his return to Hong Kong, he worked on several of CCDC’s productions and received accolades for his work, including Outstanding Choreography for CCDC’s Requiem HK. Ng pours all his experience and creativity into his current role, leading a dance season with four original performances and two dance festivals, including the Jumping Frames festival, a showcase of moving images that explore everyday life, the environment and movement itself.

Read Yuri Ng’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential


Tatler Asia's Most Influential is the definitive list of people shaping our world today. Asia's Most Influential brings together the region's most innovative changemakers, industry titans and thought leaders who are driving positive impact in Asia and beyond. View the full list here.

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