Since completing his studies at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts under a full scholarship and travelling around Europe as a freelance dancer, Steve Goh has returned to our shores to showcase acclaimed works such as last year’s ‘Fragile’, which won Best Featured Performer in the dance category at the recent 9th BOH Cameronian Arts Awards. The Sabah native speaks to us ahead of this weekend’s International Ballet Gala, where he graces the stage alongside ten principal dancers from San Francisco Ballet, Houston Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, UK’s Northern Ballet and Japan’s Ena Ballet.

How did you start dancing?
It was by chance that I went to Hong Kong to attend the dance department at the Academy for Performing Arts. Several seniors from my dance school encouraged me to go to Hong Kong, which gave me courage to do so. I just fell in love with dance.

What is the most challenging thing about your career in dance?
There are many different experiences in a dance career, and with each work, performance and innovation, there will be many different concepts that will affect your outlook on dance.
  
What do you feel and think when you're on stage?
My own honest feelings as best presented to the audience, so they can be touched by my performance.

What projects are you currently working on besides the International Ballet Gala?
I am working with several Singaporean artists to do a multimedia exchange for an upcoming show there.

Which performances are you involved in during the Gala?
I will be in contemporary dance ‘What If…’ I realise we make decisions in every moment of our lives, be it consciously or subconsciously. Each decision leads to an outcome, so we can change the result by making a totally different decision. That’s what we are trying to explore.

Among all the dancers present, who is the one to watch at the festival?
Tan Yuan Yuan (principal dancer for the San Francisco Ballet).  She possesses the most beautiful and gorgeous dance technique and emotional maturity.

Is there a style of dance that you might like to explore in the future?
I’m not sure yet, but there are still a lot of different sides for my body to explore.

What is the greatest threat to Malaysian dance?
No comment.

The International Ballet Gala happens this weekend from July 14–15 at Istana Budaya. For more info, see listing.