{"id":13370,"date":"2026-02-27T11:11:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T03:11:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/?p=13370"},"modified":"2026-02-27T11:26:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T03:26:15","slug":"modernising-singapores-lion-dance-heritage-with-technology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/2026\/02\/27\/modernising-singapores-lion-dance-heritage-with-technology\/","title":{"rendered":"Modernising Singapore’s Lion Dance Heritage with Technology"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The lion dance drum beats a rhythm that Ms Lynn Wong (Arts & Social Sciences ’11) knows by heart. After all, she is a local fifth-generation disciple of Wong Fei Hung, a legendary martial arts and lion dance master whose lineage has been preserved in Singapore through Kong Chow Wui Koon<\/a>, one of the oldest Chinese clan associations in Singapore.<\/p>

Today, Singapore’s lion dance tradition has evolved into a vibrant multicultural art form, with troupes comprising members of different ethnicities practicing and performing together.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

DEBUTING “SILVER PRIDE”, SINGAPORE’S FIRST GROUP OF LION-DANCING SENIORS\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

While the vigorous movements and acrobatic choreography of traditional lion dance often beget the impression that it is an art form exclusively for the young and able-bodied, the opposite proved true with the debut of the Silver Pride Lion Troupe in January 2024, Singapore\u2019s first group of lion-dancing seniors.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Ms Wong guiding a senior participant on how to move the lion head and complete specific lion dance movements while performing.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

With members ranging from 63 to 99 years old, the Silver Pride Lion Troupe is one of Singapore’s most inclusive performing groups. Ms Wong specifically developed choreography ensuring wheelchair users could participate as front dancers while ambulant seniors perform the footwork and manoeuvre the wheelchairs\u2014creating roles for everyone regardless of mobility.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

\"I wanted to find a way to keep our seniors active and engaged in the community while keeping Singapore's lion dance heritage alive. As a team activity that requires people to come together, this would help reduce isolation and mobility decline in the long run too.\"<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Since piloting in 2023, the Silver Pride Lion Troupe has won the President’s Design Award<\/a> this year\u2014Singapore’s highest design honour\u2014and received the Singapore Good Design Award 2024, and Design for Asia Award 2024 Grand Award<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Ms Wong showcasing Silver Beats, the world\u2019s first gamified lion dance training platform during the TS2 Demo Day held on 25 November 2025, together with other seniors from the Silver Pride Lion Troupe.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

LAUNCHING SILVER BEATS, THE WORLD’S FIRST GAMIFIED LION DANCE TRAINING PLATFORM<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>

Today, as founder of Inheritage<\/a>, a social enterprise providing active ageing programmes based on heritage and cultural arts, Ms Wong isn’t resting on her laurels. She wants to make lion dance accessible to all ages\u2014and ensure everyone has fun too.<\/p>

With the support of the TS2 Accelerator Programme<\/a> by NUS Enterprise<\/a> and raiSE SG<\/a>, Ms Wong launched Silver Beats, the world’s first gamified lion dance training platform specifically designed for individuals to learn lion dance beats and drumming. Developed with a focus on self-paced learning, the web platform comes complete with progression levels, learning pathways, and on-demand coaching.<\/p>

“Our mentor challenged us beyond our comfort zone, fast-tracking our timeline; and encouraged us to roll out our MVP to continuously build on the Silver Beats module while working with and taking in the feedback of pilot partners.”<\/p>

Silver Beats’ minimalist interface simplifies lion dance rhythms and drumbeats into three colour-coded rows on screen, with colour prompts appearing in sync with music. Users simply hit the corresponding drum beats on a connected drum set, cymbal, and gong according to the onscreen prompts to complete each gaming level.<\/p>

Three NTUC Health Active Ageing Centres (AACs)\u2014Lengkok Bahru, Jurong Central Plaza, and Boon Lay\u2014have already signed on to use Silver Beats in their activity sessions with seniors, Ms Wong shares.<\/p>

“With Silver Beats, AACs have a ‘Shifu (Master) on demand\u2019,\u00a0giving them flexibility in organising group sessions at their own availability while allowing for self-paced learning and repetition when needed. Seniors can also get hands-on practice sessions with the lion head, guided in-person by a practitioner. Outstanding learners can also go on to join our Silver Pride Lion Troupe and participate in live performances.”<\/p>

The tech setup for Silver Beats is deliberately straightforward. It runs on what every AAC in Singapore already has\u2014a Wi-Fi network, projector, and screen. Through a monthly subscription model that includes equipment rental, Inheritage keeps the service accessible for centres while maintaining business sustainability.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Ms Wong introducing the set up for Silver Beats to a visitor during the TS2 Demo Day held on 25 November 2025.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

“During the initial weeks, our trainers will work with each AAC to ensure smooth implementation and facilitate onsite sessions where needed. Ultimately, we want seniors to enjoy the social, emotional, and physical benefits these gamified lion dance sessions offer,” Ms Wong explains.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Milestones | Pre-Seed<\/strong><\/p>