Emerge’s New Studio At Clarke Quay Central Offers Young Performing Artistes More Training Programmes
Deniece Foo and Jade Kerr, co-founders at Emerge Arts & Media Academy, on why it’s important to develop all-rounded performers.
With Clarke Quay Central as its new home, Emerge Arts & Media Academy has levelled up training programmes for young artistes. Co-founded in 2021 by seasoned performers Deniece Foo and Jade Kerr, the school aims to create a nurturing environment to inculcate creativity, character, as well as a lifelong love for the arts.
Among the diverse programmes available at Emerge—which runs the gamut from dancing to singing to acting—is its signature Musical Theatre curriculum. Designed for children two and half years or older, it is packed with engaging and impactful learning experiences; in December 2024, the team from Emerge clinched the top honours at the Get The Beat World Finals in Sydney.
Foo, who started performing at the age of three and went on to train in the US, Japan, Thailand, and Australia, staged her own musical So Atas in 2019. Her business partner, Kerr, who is a music graduate from LASALLE College of the Arts, has composed various songs throughout her career. In addition to performing at Singapore’s notable venues like the Esplanade Concourse, she has taught vocals for over a decade.
Although both women had no formal education in business, they shared the same goal. By growing Singapore’s younger generation of performing arts practitioners, they would help to keep the local community vibrant and thriving.
And the design brief for their new premises clearly considered this, with dedicated studios for dance and rooms for vocal and music lessons. Configuration is flexible too; for instance, two dance studios can be combined into a space for workshops and events.
Deniece has been performing since she was 3, while Jade is a singer-songwriter. What are key lessons you feel must be imparted to young artistes?
Deniece Foo (DF): Technical training is important. Despite what’s portrayed in the media—how youngsters or kids have shot to fame with viral content—technical training can make a difference whether you want to be known as an influencer or a professional. So young artistes should aim to build strong foundations in their chosen art form. To make it in the industry, besides good voice, pleasant appearance, decent social media following, you also need stage presence.
Jade Kerr (JK): Consistency and discipline take you a long way. People tend to chase for instant gratification but are not resilient enough to stick around and fight through challenges and obstacles. Stay focused, build up your portfolio and social media profile, put yourself out there, and go for it!
Are artistes born or trained?
Both: Trained!
You set up Emerge in September 2021. What is the gap that Emerge wants to fill and how?
DF: We offer classes that span across genres, which enable our students to learn to become all-rounded performers. This is something different from a dance or singing school. Besides our Tw’light talent development programme that gives younger students foundational skills in singing, dancing, and acting, we also offer the UDO Experience for those who want to build on their street dance skills in hip-hop and locking. Such programmes offer not just professional certification but also the opportunity to compete overseas.
Emerge has developed winners in musical theatre competitions. How do such competitions strengthen confidence and resilience among students?
JK: Our focus is on the growth of the students—are they performing better today than yesterday? Many young artistes get the jitters before they go up on stage. So we encourage our students to participate in multiple competitions and performances, as these can help them become more comfortable and confident.
How do you evolve your curriculum?
DF: Every year, we speak to parents and students about their experience and classes, as well as their objectives. This allows us to refine our programmes and strategy, streamlining current classes and planning new ones, and improving the curriculum.
JK: Instead of emphasising classes that are most profitable, Emerge pays attention to students’ overall growth and their needs and long-term goals. Classes revolve around programmes required to achieve these objectives, and increase in size only according to students’ ages and abilities.
What factors/feedback did you consider when configuring your new premises at Clarke Quay Central?
DF: We needed a neutral space. This had to accommodate students’ training across different genres, from vocals, dance, and theatre, as well as in media and production. Now we have three dance studios of different floor areas that we can keep separate or combine for solo or group classes, showcases, and other events.
Advice for those aspiring to a career in performing arts?
JK: I think the greatest challenge for arts practitioners is sustainability. So it’s crucial to establish your edge in the market. There are many pathways to a career in the industry, so consider if you prefer to pursue, say, teaching or performing, and work towards it. It also helps to find a mentor who can guide and advise you.
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