[Featured Photo by James Chua: SMU Eurhythmix posing for a photo after their winning performance at the S24 Dance Competition 2018]

The Singapore Management University (SMU)’s Eurhythmix (hip-hop dance) club has clinched first place in the tertiary category at the Super 24 Dance Competition held on 4 August at the OCBC Arena. It is proud to be the first University dance club to ever take home this Championship. 

Into its sixth edition, Super 24 is a dance competition which emphasises essential qualities such as teamwork and ingenuity, whereby teams of 24 dancers are required to dance within an 8m by 8m stage in a 90-seconds dance choreography showcase. The team that best exemplified adaptability, creativity and team unity – displaying an ability to turn the presented constraints into advantages by tapping on all of their team mates – won the championship.

Indeed, SMU Eurhythmix displayed all this and more and won top honours, beating 16 other finalists from various tertiary institutions! SMU Eurhythmix has shown consistent progression and determination as it moved up the charts in recent years, from fourth place in 2016 to second place last year, and finally bringing home the Championship this year.

Here are some words of appreciation from the team, “We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to everyone who supported us in our journey towards this accomplishment. Special mention goes out to our resident choreographers, Gin Lam and Derrick Ng, and club manager Wee E-Chiing for their unyielding guidance. Thank you once again for your endless support!”

When asked about their biggest takeaway from this S24 journey, here are some of the team’s quotes and experiences:

“It was never really about the championship but more of the process itself. Beyond the glory and honour the title brings, lies values like friendship, camaraderie and trust, that I treasure so much more. This risk-filled journey especially taught me a lot about trust, about having faith in my team mates and my choreographers. It is not easy to align the mindsets of 25 individuals, but that’s the beauty of this competition and the bonds that it is able to forge in such a short period of time.”

– Sebastian Choo Kok Wee, School of Information Systems, Year 4

“Our health were no longer a personal responsibility and our burdens were shared. With added elements of trust, there was a sense of liberation that no matter what I did, the team had my back and this allowed me to rediscover my personal limits.”

- Joshua Lee Jiao Hui, School of Information Systems, Alumni

“The perseverance and willpower to win created a ripple effect, cultivating an unspoken mutual understanding within the team. As much as big moments on stage are always glorious, it is the unsung moments that construct our most human experience. At our last hurrah – we danced with, and for each other.”

- Tan Shuqing Jeanette, Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Year 3

“Nothing is impossible with the right attitude and mindset. It takes a lot of courage, hard work and faith – and these are what makes the process even more meaningful and even more because we did it together. I’ve definitely learnt and grow in both skills and new ways of thinking. This journey was a breakthrough for me, and I’ve been rewarded with much more than just a medal.”

- Saw Zi Wei, Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Year 2

“Nothing will ever compare to that fleeting moment on stage, as with one final unison breath, 24 of us huddled in the middle of the stage. Oblivious to the mad cheers from the crowd as tears poured, we realised that while it marked the end of yet another amazing dance journey, it was that eternal moment shared with brothers and sisters that would stay etched in our memories forever.”

- Lai Wen Le, School of Law, Year 3

[Photo by Poey Y T: SMU Eurhythmix performing their winning routine at the S24 Dance Competition 2018]