Behind every performance lies a story. A visit to Zephyr Dance Studio revealed not only the hard work behind its upcoming production, but also the unwavering passion of choreographer Cherry Abel and the dancers she mentors.
Dance, Dedication and Dreams
AFTER a long and eventful day, curiosity got the better of me when Cherry Abel invited me to Zephyr Dance Studio for a sneak peek at its upcoming production, which will be staged on August 8 at the Chemsains Auditorium in Kuching.
Despite feeling tired, I decided to make my way to the studio.
What unfolded before me was an unexpected delight.
My first pleasant surprise was meeting Sylvia, a former dance student of mine who is still passionately pursuing her love for dance.
What I had intended to be a brief visit turned into an unforgettable evening, keeping me there until the very end of the rehearsal.
I was captivated by the diversity of dance styles and the seamless flow from one performance to another. Each piece reflected the dancers’ versatility, discipline and passion.
From contemporary to traditional dance, every performance was filled with commitment and artistry.
The studio buzzed with dancers of all ages, from seasoned performers to young children, none of whom seemed eager to leave despite the late hour.
Then came a poignant moment.
As Cherry played the music chosen for the production’s central theme, the dancers instinctively gathered around her.
With tears welling in her eyes, she shared the story behind the work and the emotions she hoped to convey. It was a moment of complete sincerity.
The choreography had become far more than movement; it was a deeply personal expression of the heart.
Dance is no stranger to me. I devoted 18 years of my life to the performing arts before knee injuries brought that chapter to an end.
Watching the rehearsal rekindled memories of the exhilaration of performing, the countless hours of training and the joy of expressing emotions through movement.
Although I can no longer dance as I once did, the passion has never faded.
Seeing a new generation embrace the art reminded me that while dancers may leave the stage, the love for dance never truly leaves them.
As the rehearsal ended, I left with admiration for Cherry and her dedicated team.
If the rehearsal was any indication, audiences can expect a heartfelt and memorable production. Curious to learn more about the woman behind it all, I asked Cherry about her journey.
Cherry Abel, the Creative Director of Zephyr Dance Studio, teaches, choreographs, curates performances and mentors students for competitions and events.
She also conducts corporate dance team-building programmes that use dance to strengthen communication and teamwork.
“My forte is contemporary traditional dance, where I fuse ballet with the traditional dances I grew up with.
I also enjoy working with commercial dance styles that are popular today,” she says.
Cherry’s dance journey began at the age of four when her late mother recognised her potential, despite her being an extremely shy child.
“I was too timid even to step onto the dance floor during my first few classes. Slowly, I gained confidence and blossomed into the dancer I am today.”
Her love for traditional dance developed at St Teresa’s Primary School. “We represented the school in a competition at Sarawak Cultural Village.
Under the guidance of Cikgu Sabri, we won first place in both Tarian Rampaian and Zapin. I still treasure the newspaper clipping my late mother kept.
Those were the beginnings of my dance journey.”
Cherry continued training in ballet while studying traditional dance under the guidance of the Sarawak Arts Council.
She later represented Sarawak in Citrawarna Malaysia and completed her Intermediate ballet examinations before pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering.
While studying in Kuala Lumpur, she joined her university’s awardwinning dance troupe, Prisma Seni.
“It gave me the opportunity to perform throughout Malaysia.
We danced at the Raja of Perlis’ birthday celebration, and I even returned to Kuching to represent my university in a dance competition, where we secured a placing.”
Among her most memorable experiences was performing during Territory Week on Christmas Island, Australia, representing the Malay community through traditional dance.
She also shared the stage with celebrated Malaysian artistes, including Noraniza Idris, One Nation Emcees, Jaclyn Victor, Black, Lan and Malaysia’s Songbird, Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza during the AJL 24 Semi Final and Anugerah Skrin 2009.
After graduating and returning to Kuching, Cherry found fewer opportunities to perform.
Rather than giving up, she spent a year training in Sarawak traditional dances with the Sarawak Arts Council, further expanding her skills.
In 2012, she also obtained her ZIN licence, combining dance and fitness to encourage people to embrace a healthier lifestyle through movement.
Listening to Cherry recount her journey, it became clear that dancing was far more than a profession or a hobby.
It is the heartbeat of her life.
From a timid little girl to a choreographer inspiring a new generation of dancers, her story is one of perseverance, passion and purpose.
Watching her lead her dancers with patience and conviction, it became evident that Zephyr Dance Studio was more than just a place to learn dancing and choreography.
It nurtures confidence, creativity and a lifelong love for dancing.
If the rehearsal I witnessed is any indication, audiences attending the August 8 production can look forward to an evening where artistry, emotion and storytelling come together in a performance they will long remember.
