Singapore Ballet Prodigy Leo Cheng Pauses Career for National Service

At just 18 years old, Singaporean ballet dancer Leo Cheng is taking a significant pause from his burgeoning dance career to fulfill his National Service (NS) obligation. Despite being offered a two-year contract with the prestigious Birmingham Royal Ballet, Cheng learned of his NS requirement on the same day, prompting him to prioritize this duty before pursuing his ballet ambitions further.

Cheng’s journey in ballet began at the tender age of three, inspired by his parents, both former dancers with the Singapore Dance Theatre and founders of the Cheng Ballet Academy. His dedication to the art form has already led to remarkable achievements, including a full scholarship to a ballet school in the UK at age 11 and another scholarship to study at the Zurich Dance Academy in 2021.

Throughout his training, Cheng’s father, who also serves as his dance teacher, initially hesitated to send his son abroad. However, he ultimately recognized the importance of independent experiences for Cheng’s development. “If he really wanted to study ballet, he wasn’t mature enough yet as a young dancer. Staying under me all the time wouldn’t help him grow,” he remarked.

Cheng’s prowess was further validated when he was one of 86 dancers selected from 445 to compete in the prestigious Prix de Lausanne, an international classical ballet competition for dancers aged 15 to 18. His recent recognition includes winning the Grand Prix at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) in Manila, which secured him an invitation to the YAGP Global Finals in the United States scheduled for May 2024.

Despite these successes, the news of his NS enlistment on January 5, 2024, left Cheng feeling conflicted. “I was in Switzerland when we first talked about NS, and honestly I was a bit upset. All my classmates were joining companies and some were already dancing soloist and leading roles,” he explained. Nevertheless, he is adopting a positive mindset, stating, “I think I can handle it.”

Cheng’s father voiced concerns regarding how the break might affect his son’s technique and muscle memory. “As a dancer, he has to train every single day to maintain his strength and keep his technique sharp,” he noted, emphasizing the challenges that may arise during the two years of service.

Looking ahead, Cheng remains optimistic about his future aspirations. He aims to join a larger ballet company in Europe after completing his NS. “I can’t just finish NS and expect to be a top dancer right away. Of course, it’ll be harder – I’ll have to keep training throughout the two years of NS,” he reflected.

Despite being born to Taiwanese parents, Cheng feels a strong connection to Singapore. “I grew up in Singapore, so I have a sense of childhood and belonging here. All my ballet training and everything comes from Singapore. That’s why I appreciate Singapore so much – it’s a part of me, and that’s why I’m willing to serve my country through my national service,” he stated.

Cheng’s story highlights the delicate balance between personal aspirations and national responsibilities, illustrating a young artist’s determination to navigate both worlds.