In The Media
New Sunday Times, Nuance, 5 October 2003
An artiste for all seasons
LIKE an artiste waiting in the wings, Peter Ong's enthusiasm overwhelms his aspirations. He's an all-round performer - opera singer, dancer, actor - still hoping for the chance to take centrestage as the leading man.
Ong knew very early that he loved music and dance, and stopped at nothing to make his dreams come true. He had been singing for a few years by the time he was in his late 20s. Despite an impressive resume - he has performed in Puccini's Tosca, Die Zauberflote's Tamino, and Aux Enfers' Orpheus - fame continues to elude him.
Opera hadn't figured in Ong's life until he heard Queen Of The Night from The Magic Flute. That was the turning point. "The music touched me deep inside my soul and I knew instantly I wanted to sing like that."
While studying law at the University of Bristol, Ong took his dancing feet through stints in professional musical theatre in London. He had already decided that the performing arts was his true calling. His parents thought otherwise.
"I was raised in a very conventional environment," recalls Ong. "I was not given the luxury of choosing my own career. To my parents, the pursuit of a professional degree was more meaningful than a fantasy career as a dancer or singer."
Armed with an optimistic attitude, Ong sneaked time off from his law school schedule and enrolled in the university's dance and theatre programme.
With many cups of Nescafe Gold to help him get through the days, Ong earned a few shots at fame and stardom while juggling time between law and the arts. It helped, too, that he won the prestigious University of Bristol Alumni Foundation Award for voice for two consecutive years.
His leap to opera happened quite by accident after he was given a chance to perform an Italian snippet in the OperaFest Choir.
"Everything changed after that," says Ong. "I was hooked on opera by this time, and I did everything possible to master Italian in the shortest possible time. I slept less, drank lots of Nescafe Gold coffee, and literally cut out my social life to nought."
Upon his return to Malaysia, Ong's secret passion was kept in check while working as a strategic brand manager for an advertising agency. It wasn't too long, however, before he left his daytime job and toyed with the idea of a dance school.
When the Dance Space was officially opened in 2002, Ong wore his corporate hat and dancing shoes in the same room. "I'm applying my skills in the hope of achieving a grand vision. I want to promote performing arts and shape the cultural outlook in Malaysia."
With management experience as his ally, Ong now breezes through a dizzying array of tasks such as talent scouting, increasing student intake, corporate presentations, and financial plans. The Dance Space, in Sri Hartamas, KL, has a rich programme of classes, from ballroom, jazz, Latin, salsa to tap dancing. "
Malaysia was once a cultural desert but it now seems to be taking on a positive swing," Ong suggests. "My students are exposed to traditional and modern dance techniques because it broadens their repertoire and promotes dance as a profession."
Ong would like to return to singing in a couple of years. "Singing embodies the heart of my passion for the performing arts. I've still got a long way to go before taking to the stage as an opera singer. But as long as the passion fires my enthusiasm, I will work towards achieving my goal."
The six-footer with rugged good looks - the quintessential leading man - hopes to pursue an advanced operatic singing programme in a music conservatory abroad, training under professional teachers. It may be months of long hours again when Ong decides to undergo the rigours of vocal training. At least he'll be able to count on cups of Nescafe Gold to keep him company. |
