by Pixie Ang
Amongst the plethora of activities at the Panaga Club, the Panaga Dance Centre (PDC) is one of the most popular sections. The PDC offers lessons for baby movement, ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop for beginners all the way through to experienced dancers. These lessons are not only available for kids but also adults at the Jungle House or the Multi Purpose Hall (MPH). For those interested but not sure if they have rhythm in their body, trial lessons are available (more info below).
Lessons
To register for a (trial) lesson, you will need to go to the Dance Section of the Panaga Club website and complete a registration form for the dance lesson you are interested in. The lesson registrar will be in touch within 7 working days for a trial lesson or to allocate a lesson time.
For the latest schedule, join their Facebook Group (“Panaga Dance Centre”). The current adults class schedule is at the bottom of this page.
The Gurus
Lessons are taught by two seasoned dancers, Chris Nocon and Susan Justimbaste-Decena. Together they have been teaching bodies to groove in Panaga since 2019. Let’s find out more about Panaga’s dancing gurus.
Chris Nocon
Chris has been dancing since the age of 10, first as a folk dancer in school before transitioning to hip hop and turning professional at the tender age of 14. Two years later he joined the University of East Dance Troupe and studied ballet. Furthering his study in Hong Kong, Chris then travelled, choreographed and performed professionally in Hong Kong, Canada, Japan and other countries. Finding love, he got married and settled in Brunei, teaching under a private studio and with Jerudong International School. Chris obtained his Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) qualification in 2014 and went back to the Philippines to teach, compete and direct productions with much success. With his trove of trophies and medals, Chris returned to Brunei in June 2019 to the Panaga Club, where he has been passing on the art of ballet and contemporary dance.
Susan Justimbaste-Decena
Susan has been dancing for over 35 years and teaching for over 25 years. Trained in ballet, jazz, tap and hip hop in her hometown of Davao City, Philippines, she was coached by award-winning teachers and nationally recognised dancers. She taught and choreographed at various schools including European International School, Perry Sevidal Ballet and Assumption College, winning multiple awards. Susan met Chris at Assumption College where he persuaded her to leave the Philippines for the Abode of Peace. Arriving in January 2020, Susan has since become a familiar face around the Panaga Club. In July 2022, Susan attained her yoga teacher qualification and has also begun imparting zen and calm to club members as well as demi pliés and flick kicks.
Quick interview with Chris and Susan
What is your favourite dance?
Chris: Romeo and Juliet because of its flare, amazing choreography and beautiful storyline.
Susan: Jazz because I feel like I can express myself better when I dance jazz.
Who are your idols?
Chris: Mikhail Baryshnikov because of his amazing classical technique.
Susan: My parents—they exposed me to dancing at a young age as they were always dancing the tango together. My love for dance started with them.
What advice left a lasting impression on you?
Chris: “Dance as if it’s the last time you’ll be able to dance.” You want your last dance to be the best and leave a lasting memory. By giving it your best, you improve more each time.
Susan: I can’t remember any specific advice but the dedication and passion that my teachers had in class left a strong impression on me.
What is your wish for your students?
Chris: I want them to do their best, be a sponge that just absorbs every lesson and have fun while learning this very tough art.
Susan: I hope that my students will learn to love dance and enjoy it under my wings. I also hope they learn discipline to carry it with them all their life.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Chris: As a teacher and parent, I don’t really have spare time. I’m preparing for lesson or conceptualising a show or looking after my son who thinks he is spiderboy, climbing on almost everything. We watch movies as a family like Sing or Lion King… like 1000 times, haha.
Susan: I try my hands on just about anything—one day I am drawing and other days I’m upcycling. I play the guitar and ukulele. I read and study more about dance and yoga. I also love finding new places to eat.
Recitals
Twice a year, dance recitals are held where students perform in front of families and friends in fabulous costumes and customised choreography. These much anticipated events generate a buzz of excitement and are elaborate mini-productions which boost performance confidence and tighten community bonds. To round off this year, there will be an end of year open house where parents are invited to attend lessons and watch a mini show.
Dance Shop
The PDC runs a Dance Shop located upstairs in the MPH overlooking the courts and the dance floor. It is currently open on Tuesdays, 2:30–3:30 p.m., and Fridays, 5–6 p.m.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are plenty of ways to support the PDC:
- The Dance Shop is opened and run by volunteers—even an hour a week would help improve accessibility to members.
- The costume storeroom is located outside the MPH and houses all the dance costumes acquired over the years. These costumes bring recitals to life, and volunteers are needed to help sort and organise these wonderful garments.
- Recitals and RAD exams need volunteers to do any number of tasks to keep these events running smoothly, from costume distribution to ushering.
If you would like to get involved, email committee.panagadance@gmail.com and one of the friendly PDC committee members will get back to you.
