The bunch of 99 stalks of roses was given to Dennis Ng by a
long-time friend, famous Taiwanese singer Qing San [青山].
UP TO 1,100 VIEWS, 80 LIKES
40 CHATS, COMMENTS
We started this project at 9 this morning and posted it at 7 this evening. I can understand why his friends call him, Speedy Gonzales. Spend some time with this gentleman and you will. He moves like Greased Lightnin' and does everything in quickness and perfection but let Mr. Dennis Ng tell you himself. Thank you sir and good friend Lawrence Lim for this post...
Author Dennis Ng sings as well as
he dances; full of soul and vitality.
Dennis says:
Out of the frying pan into the fire? After having spent 42 truly wonderful years as a Cabin Crew Member and then as an Assistant Manager in Singapore Airlines, I finally retired on 05 January 2023, but I seemed to have re-tyred and have become busier than ever! The Arts have always been in my blood as a lover of music, musical instruments (I play a little of the pianoforte, guitar and now ukulele) and naturally dancing was easier when you understand music.
In all honesty, my interest in dancing stems from my Officer-in-Command in the army when he introduced me to Latin Ballroom Dancing. But before that, many of my interests then were curtailed because of preparation for “O” Level, “A” Level, National Service and then my job at SIA, but when I reached the pinnacle of my career, I was able to indulge into my passion of dancing cum singing.
Dennis front left, with former PM Goh Chok Tong
and the cabin crew of an SIA flight.
Hence, my real journey into dancing started in 1999 when the world was preparing for the Y2K bug which never happened. I was able to progress quickly so that I competed in a number of Latin Ballroom Dance Competitions both in Singapore and Malaysia, often emerging as a Champion with my partner who unfortunately had suffered a stroke 8 years ago and was never able to dance again. I do miss her!
Long-short, within a span of 6 years, I obtained my Teacher of Dancing accreditation with a Highly Commended grading in the Latin American branch of dancing in November 2006. Even though I was still under the employ of SIA, I was given a Waiver of Exclusive Service to teach and share my passion in dancing to Singapore at large since 2007.
Never a dull moment, for it was most rewarding to see people enjoying while learning from me, and turning some two left feet to two right feet before turning them to two gracious dancing feet. To me, this was quite a feat. From a two-day teaching week before retirement, I’m now teaching daily except the weekends at various venues (community clubs, country club, private dance studio and at a non-profit organisation). Am glad many are able to withstand my brand of wit and humour which I often inject into the classes.
With a dance troupe so beautiful and sophisticated,
together with Dennis [centre] they wowed the crowd.
Now about singing. Since young, as young as school days, I’ve always liked only the cliched oldies but goodies. All those songs that my dad knows, I know even more! Today I sing with 3 live bands, on Sunday nights, Monday nights, and a newly formed band on Saturday nights (but about twice a month).
Our Monday band, The GLUERs came into being on 13Sep2016, started by the late drummer Andrew Soh, also the late keyboardist *Tony “Baba” Ng, lead guitarist Steven Tan (who still helms the Sunday night band), rhythmist Peter Chng, bass guitarist *Joe Woon (of Easybeats) and drummers Jeffrey Low and Philip Tan.
'Wooden Heart': Dennis Ng.
During a birthday celebration
of a community club.
Times change, things change, and some band members change, so the band was renamed to The GEMs before finally becoming The Jammers. With the current musicians comprising of Hansolo on keyboard, Adi on bass, *Patrick Teng on lead, Jeffrey Low and Joe Panjang on drums, Gilbert Fernandez on steel guitar and Rick Wong on rhythm, although the 11 singers sing all genres, but none of us is below 60 years old sans one, hence all of us sing mostly oldies.
Incidentally I sing in three languages; English, Mandarin and Japanese, and yes, I do speak, read and write quite a bit of Japanese, so don’t “Pray, pray” as Gurmit Singh would chime in.
The singers, mostly ladies and the band boys,
with ties. Dennis is in a white shirt.
I would also call myself most fortunate to be the only Singaporean to be invited to sing yearly at the Dusit Thani Hua Hin’s annual New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner & Dance for a span of 20-odd years since 1998 until the retirement of the former General Manager of the hotel. This was a most wonderful opportunity for me to build my confidence in performing in front of a very large audience of between 800 and 1000 hotel guests, standing on a humongous stage to sing, and sometimes to dance.
Today, I dare say I don’t suffer from any stage fright and I take pride in what I do, more so being a trained dancer, dancing comes naturally to me when I am singing or performing. Also, I will use my knowledge in dancing to good use in terms of deciding song genres when the band is required to play at dancing gigs. By the way, I am also a Committee Member of the Singapore Elvis & Country Group (SEACG).
My parting shot is for everyone to “Live Simply, Speak Kindly and Love Unconditionally” my friends! Let your hair down, flaunt it if you have it, flaunt it anyway even if you don’t. Live life to the fullest everyday so that we will not regret it when our turn comes.
Comments are welcome.
[*Tony Baba Ng, Joe Woon, Patrick Teng are 3 musicians whose stories can be found on this blog. Check them out too.]
With Lawrence Lim, who introduced me to author Dennis at
the Music Club. I was certainly free of Covid then [15/7/24].
A stage performance by Dennis Ng and partner.
The rhumba in exotically colourful and sparkling
costumes. Checkout their dance moves.
The only Singaporean to be invited to sing at the Dusit
Thani Hua Hin's New Year Eve Annual Dinner and Dance.
Song: 相思河畔 (Xiang Xi He Pan)
Another group of dancers with Dennis Ng [sitting]
With Aloysius Tan and Brian Richmond last year [23Dec23]
after the live interview on Vintage Radio.SG
This post, videos and photographs are Copyrighted.
