Dragon & Lion Dance Troupe

Nanyang Dragon & Lion Dance Troupe -your Dragon, Lion & Drum Ensemble!

In our CCA, we perform a form of traditional Chinese dance where we dance to the beats of the drums, cymbals and gongs while clad in the lion costume or use poles to rhythmically move the dragon prop and the pearl. 

Unlike most CCAs where you specialize in a certain skill, we generally learn everything from playing the different  instruments to manipulating the lion head & rear end to maneuvering the dragon prop. As a drum ensemble, we also learn drum sequences that are different from those used in the lion dance. 

During trainings, we practice and learn new sequences, as well as new moves. We also occasionally learn to throw sweets and oranges, peel oranges and pomelo and learn to form words with orange pieces as part of the performance while clad in the lion costume.

In case you are wondering if we use those high poles you see in other lion dance performances, we don’t. Instead, some of the equipment we use include benches, buckets and sometimes tables.

We are the busiest during the Chinese New Year period, where we have our annual Chinese New Year performance in school and also go out for external performances in order to spread good luck and fortune.

In 2024, on the third day of the Chinese New Year, our CCA participated in the Spring Reception organised jointly by the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations and the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre. It was an honour performing to their Guest-Of-Honor, President Mr. Tharman, and First Lady Ms. Jane Ittogi, as well as a large crowd of 900 distinguished guests.

In 2025, we performed at the Istana during its Chinese New Year open house and also interacted with members of the public after our performance. We also hosted the biennial 观摩会，which is an exchange event between various lion dance troupes, aiming to promote the art of dragon and lion dance in schools across Singapore.

Here’s a fun fact: We get paid for our Chinese New Year performances and you can hire us too!