An impressive flurry of firsts were celebrated this afternoon at LASALLE College of the Arts’ landmark 30th Convocation, from the graduation of LASALLE’s first batch of students in MA Arts Pedagogy and Practice to its first Dare to Dream scholarship recipient, awarded to promising young artists with special needs. Mr Ong Ye Kung, Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills), graced the event as Guest of Honour.
Launched in 2014, LASALLE’s MA Arts Pedagogy and Practice is the first of its kind in the region to train contemporary art educators on the integration of arts pedagogy into their work. The pioneer batch comprised 12 graduates from a full range of creative and performing arts disciplines as well as visual, design, and curatorial practice, who will go on to nurture future generations of emerging artists and contribute to the growth of Singapore creative industries. Among the 12 are accomplished artists such as Ms Peggy Ferroa, Vice President of the Singapore Drama Educators Association, and contemporary storyteller Ms Kamini Ramachandran, founder of MoonShadow Stories and founding member of the Storytelling Association (Singapore).
There were also hearty cheers across the hall for Dare to Dream scholar Ms Isabelle Lim, who is deaf and has Nager Syndrome, a rare condition that affects the development of the face, hands and arms. The gifted young photographer defied all odds to successfully complete her Diploma in Fine Arts at LASALLE. She recently held her first solo photography exhibition, See What I See, at Enabling Village, and is set to realise her dream of becoming a professional photographer.
Peggy, Kamini, and Isabelle were just three of many outstanding talents whose achievements were celebrated today at the Singapore Expo and Convention Centre, where 790 LASALLE graduates received their Diploma, Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts certificates.
“As a leading contemporary arts education institution, there is much we aspire to, and believe in: excellence, cutting-edge innovation, and the significance of the arts to effect personal, social, and economic transformations. Ultimately, however, it is our graduates who speak for LASALLE and tell our story—and so I am immensely proud that at our 30th Convocation, we are celebrating such inspirational stories and pushing the boundaries of a creative education. We are not content to rest on our laurels at LASALLE. Like our graduates, we continue to grow from strength to strength, to make an even greater impact on Singapore’s arts scene with each new batch that passes through our doors,” said Professor Steve Dixon, President of LASALLE.
Graduating at the top of his cohort was Nick Zavior, recipient of the College’s most prestigious honour, the McNally Award for Excellence in the Arts. Nick chose to return to LASALLE to pursue his BA(Hons) Music studies after obtaining a Diploma in Music, and to explore his passion for R&B, soul, and funk music. Now a regular on the local music scene, Nick recently played at the Esplanade’s Mosaic Music Weekend and is currently working on his debut EP, which will feature five original songs written and arranged by him.
Dr Joseph Curiale, Lecturer at LASALLE’s School of Contemporary Music and an Emmy nominee as well as three-time CNN Hero nominee for his work as a composer and musician in Hollywood, commented: “Having been a part of the Hollywood entertainment community for nearly thirty years, it’s not often that I am moved by those outside that rich talent pool, especially a student, but Nick Zavior certainly got my attention from my very first days teaching at LASALLE. Working very closely with him, watching his progress and seeing nothing but continual improvement, by the time of his recital it was clear that this was a young man poised for greatness.”
