Call for Malay Dance Instructor Applications - NUS IIsa Tari
Job Description
NUS Ilsa Tari is looking for an accomplished and motivated dance instructor, based in Singapore, to join our team. The instructor will be responsible for teaching the group, facilitating their holistic learning and growth, and advancing their technique and proficiency in Malay Dance.
NUS Ilsa Tari is one of 33 NUS Arts Groups under the NUS Centre for the Arts (CFA), a unit of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA). CFA’s work is guided by the NUS Arts for All (AFA) framework, through which the arts serve as a vehicle for the development of every NUS student — building artistic skill alongside the leadership, collaboration and critical-thinking capacities that students carry into the wider university and beyond. Under AFA, CFA supports interdisciplinary and broad participation in the arts and a continuum of learning opportunities for students at every stage of artistic exploration and growth.
About NUS Ilsa Tari
Formerly the NUS Malay Dance Group, NUS Ilsa Tari was founded in 1998 and led by then Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer, Osman Abdul Hamid.
The word ‘Ilsa’ is derived from the Malay word ‘Asli’, meaning native — signifying a bold new artistic direction in Malay Dance while acknowledging the importance of the past. Establishing strong foundations in traditional Malay Dance forms such as Zapin, Ronggeng, Inang and Serampang 12, together with the traditional Malay martial art of Silat, NUS Ilsa Tari experiments with both traditional and contemporary Malay Dance, pushing the boundaries of creativity and modernity.
Key Responsibilities
Artistic Instruction & Training
- Provide structured instruction in traditional and contemporary Malay Dance — Asli, Inang, Joget, Zapin and Masri — covering technique, musicality and performance skills, grounded in deep cultural and contextual knowledge.
- Conduct regular training sessions calibrated to the group’s learning needs and skill level.
- Prepare the group for key performances and events, guiding members in translating creative ideas into compelling live performance.
Holistic Development & Programme Alignment
- Equip students with contextual knowledge of the art form (its origins, societal role and evolution) so they can think critically about their praxis and place within Singapore’s wider arts ecosystem.
- Work with CFA leadership to develop a structured instructional and capacity-building programme aligned with the AFA framework.
- Collaborate with NUS faculties on instructional and academic dimensions of the art form.
- Foster a positive, inclusive environment that encourages student collaboration and creative exploration.
Qualifications
- At least 10 years’ experience teaching and leading in Malay cultural dance forms, across settings such as studios, professional companies or collectives.
- Current or recent teaching experience in Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs).
- Active engagement in the local and/or international dance scene as a performer and instructor.
- Good character and professional standing, with a demonstrated commitment to safeguarding and student welfare.
- Recognised academic qualifications in the art form and pedagogy is an advantage.
Additional Information
- This is a part-time, yearly contracted position with flexible hours based on the group’s schedule and events.
- Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview.
Application
Prospective candidates should send their CV together with a statement of purpose by 5 July 2026, 2359hrs (SGT). Notification will be sent only to shortlisted candidates.
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