Feeling inspired: Cheong (No. 54) on stage while competing against 63 candidates from 14 countries.
PETALING JAYA: Jarellyn Cheong Sze Xin has danced her way into the international spotlight, representing Malaysia at the Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition in London in September.
For Cheong, the journey to this stage has been as challenging as it is inspiring.
“It felt like a huge privilege,” the 18-year-old from Kuala Lumpur said. “There was definitely pressure being the only Malaysian this year, but I tried my best to absorb and learn from everyone there.”
Her dance journey began at the tender age of two, where she explored multiple genres such as street dance, ballroom and contemporary dance.
Despite initially pursuing competitive ballroom dance, her passion shifted to ballet and contemporary dance at 16.
“Watching Romeo and Juliet by The Royal Ballet (in the United Kingdom) completely changed my perspective. I didn’t think I had the ideal body type or flexibility for ballet, but that performance made me believe that dance could be a future for me,” said Cheong, who competed alongside 63 other candidates from 14 countries.
Though she only made it into the semi-finals, qualifying for the Margot Fonteyn competition was no small feat.
The prestigious event, named after one of ballet’s most iconic figures, attracts some of the world’s most talented young dancers.Participants must also achieve a Distinction in the Royal Academy of Dance’s Advanced 2 Level exam to be considered.
As one of the few Malaysians to meet the criteria, Cheong faced unique challenges in preparing for the competition.
“There wasn’t much guidance available because so few Malaysians had participated before.
“I had to figure out a lot on my own,” she said, adding that her preparations involved mastering two dance variations: the technically demanding Medora Act II variation from Le Corsaire and a contemporary piece choreographed by National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (Aswara) lecturer Faillul Adam.
The latter incorporated uniquely Malaysian elements, making Cheong’s performance stand out.
“Many participants told me they’d never seen anything like it – especially a contemporary dance on pointe,” she said.
Despite her successes, the journey was not without setbacks.
“I’m not a natural turner. But when I reminded myself to relax and enjoy the process, things started to fall into place,” Cheong added.
Balancing competition preparation with her A-Level studies added another layer of complexity to her schedule.
Cheong’s days were packed with morning classes at college, followed by hours of private coaching and practice at Acts Performing Arts, a Malaysian dance studio.
Late evenings were reserved for revision and self-practice, demonstrating the immense discipline required to excel in both academics and dance.
Cheong credited dancers like Mayara Magri, the Juliet from the performance that ignited her passion, as a key inspiration.
“I’ve followed her journey ever since that day. She embodies everything I aspire to be as a dancer,” she said.
This international experience has solidified Cheong’s determination to pursue a future in dance, particularly contemporary ballet.
Since returning from London, she has performed in a production titled A Hen-Made Tale and is now focused on refining her craft.
“I’m learning from other dancers in Malaysia and expanding my vocabulary in dance.”
