Crestar’s Candice Yeo wins Gold in Ballet Competition

Seven-year-old Candice Yeo Zhi Jing, who has been taking ballet lessons with Crestar since she was 2, has won a Ballet Solo Gold Medal and scholarship at the 2021/2021 Asian Elite Dance Competition, 6 – 8 year old category held in August 2021.

The event, organised by the Hong Kong Youth Dance Association, was held virtually for the first time. Results were announced on 8 August at the Asian Elite Dance Competition’s Shanghai Final.

This is not the only award Candice has won. Candice has bagged various prestigious dance awards that include an impressive Gold in the recent Masterpiece International Ballet Competition Pre Junior A Ballet category, and Gold and Silver in the recent Hong Kong Challenge Cup Dance Summer Vacation Period Competition. She was also placed overall 2^nd in the Sibiu International Competition.

Ready, Get Set, Go!

Candice picked up ballet at the tender age of 2.5 years when one of her teachers encouraged her mom to sign her up for ballet lessons. She has not looked back since.

Though little, Candice is undaunted by challenges and takes them in her stride. She shares one of her most memorable moments with Crestar, “When I first met my ballet coach Ms Ivy, she told me she would like me to be emcee at a Crestar performance at UCC Hall. Ms Ivy handed me the script on a Friday afternoon and said you can do it! Sunday morning was the performance. I went, ha ha ha because it was too soon but I’m glad I pulled it off. I will remember that day forever!”

Inspired by her ballet teacher “to love what I do”, Candice shares that one day she would like to be a ballet teacher and inspire others. When asked about the qualities she learned at Crestar School of Dance, Candice says they are: perseverance (as Ms Ivy always says “one more time”, “again”) and what “perfectly imperfect” means.

“I have had a few ballet teachers at Crestar.  Ms Pam was my first teacher at Crestar.  Ms Ice and Ms Lim trained and helped me out in previous competitions. I am forever grateful to them. I spend most of my time with Ms Ivy, that’s why I call her my ballet coach. She is very patient and genuinely cares for all her ballet students.  I have to say Ms Ivy inspires me to love what I do.”

Some tips to on a ballet journey? “Be grateful, listen and stay positive,” quips Candice. So what would you say to someone who’s considering taking up ballet lessons, we ask. “I’d say why not?  Seriously, why not?”