Zhou Lin received her training at the Beijing Dance Institute, China. She joined SDT in July 2001. Her principal roles include Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty and Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. Other leading roles include Jiri Kylian's Forgotten Land, Stanton Welch's Maninyas, Caniparoli's Lambarena and Jeffrey Tan's Last Watch. She has also performed in many of SDT's repertoire including Anthony Then's The Nutcracker, Jean-Paul Comelin's Giselle, Petal Miller-Ashmole's The Red Shoes, Stanton Welch's Madame Butterfly, Sakiko Oshima's Le Festin d'Immortali té, Boi Sakti's The Lost Space and Reminiscing the Moon, and in Marie-Claude Pietragalla's Les Noces and Rite of Spring. Most recently seen performing in Jeffrey Tan's The Nutcracker and Thierry Malandain’s Bolero.

So who is Zhou Lin behind the stage? Let’s ask her!

1. Do you see dance as a profession? Why did you take up dancing?

Yes, it’s a profession as I would come for company class, followed by rehearsals, every Monday to Saturday to hone my skills. As I had a weak constitution when I was young, my mum enrolled me in a ballet class and I grew to love dancing. It’s a beautiful art and it makes me feel beautiful too.

2. To date, which has been your favourite role? Given a choice, what role would you want to perform in?

As an artiste, I feel that each performance is a result of different styles by individual choreographers hence I do not have any favourites. Given a choice, I prefer classical roles with a romantic twist.

3. If you had to sum up dancing in one word or a phrase, what would you say?

“Beauty of the human body form”

4. Besides dancing, what else do you do?

I love to shop, watch movies and relax at home. As part of self development, I am learning English by taking night classes. I also teach ballet classes to beginners and would like to encourage working adults to take up dance as a way of keeping fit.

5. What do you think of the up and coming performance – Quest?

It’s interesting and the unique Korean and Chinese story themes present an Asiatic feel which is very different from our previous productions. All of us are looking forward to the collaboration with Singapore Chinese Orchestra as it is the first time we are dancing to a live Chinese Orchestra!

6. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I will definitely be dancing if I am still able to.

7. A last question, what advice would you give to aspiring dancers?

I would be very happy for them but dance need not be embraced purely as a profession as it is great on its own as a means to improve one’s posture and aids in relaxation too.