A festival alive with possibility

On a warm August evening, the heart of SMU’s city campus is buzzing. From one corner comes the beat of hip-hop laced with the sweep of traditional Asian dance; from another, the tuning of strings as a Chinese orchestra rehearses a brand-new score. Nearby, singers perform vocal warm-ups for SMU’s first original musical.

This is SMU Arts Fest 2025 in motion—six weeks where campus merges with city, heritage blends with experimentation, and a community of alumni, students, and staff step forward to reimagine what the arts can be. With SMU marking its 25th anniversary and Singapore celebrating 60 years of independence, the theme—2560—is both symbolic and celebratory, weaving together national and institutional milestones in a shared story of creativity.

An alumnus keeping the music alive

“The SMU Arts Fest epitomises what SMU is looking to do: to be a very vibrant university in the city while exploring new ideas, new frontiers in music, hoping to make an impact,” shares Heng Xiangle (BSc (Econ) 2013, BBM 2013).

A portfolio manager by day, Xiangle has never let go of his first love. As co-founder of the SMU Chinese Orchestra (SMUCO), he has spent two decades helping the ensemble commission and premiere new works by Singaporean orchestral composers—pieces that now echo in concert halls far beyond campus. “Some of these pieces that we have commissioned continue to be very popular and played by other orchestras as well in Singapore. That’s something that we’re quite proud of,” he adds.

This year, he returns as Principal Conductor for COMMISSIONS, a concert featuring three world premieres. His passion has also fuelled philanthropy: together with friends, he established the Quek Ling Kiong Arts and Culture Scholarship to support students aspiring to arts and cultural management careers. For Xiangle, the lesson is simple: 

“We should try to dream big and be passionate about what we do, because with meaning and passion, I think it can drive us very far.” 

A student finding rhythm and resilience

For Dhea Basri Tho (BBM), the SMU Arts Fest has bookended her SMU journey. As a freshman, she first stepped onto its stage with SMU Eurhythmix (EMIX). Now, as a graduating senior, she returns in return of RE:TURN, a high-energy production that blends traditional Asian dances with hip-hop.

“It’s somewhat taxing, but it’s a joy to be able to go through this with everyone,” she says, describing rehearsals balanced with coursework. Her decision to study at SMU was partly influenced by its commitment to the arts: from competitions to campus-wide showcases, opportunities abound.

This year’s production brought fresh growth. “This time round, we had three cultural dancers—an Indian dancer, Malay dancer and a Chinese dancer—come in to teach us their dances,” she shares. 

“It was a really interesting process for me, and for the rest of the dancers as well, to learn a completely new style that is more engraved in 
Singapore’s cultural roots.”

The lessons have been personal too. Seniors guided her in time management and resilience, providing support that has shaped her professional path. Today, she works in marketing at a dance studio, fusing academic learning with artistic passion.

A director shaping moments beyond the classroom

For Seah Wee Thye (Weetz), Head of Arts & Creative Experience at SMU’s Office of Student Life, the festival has become a stage for ambition. Over the years, it has grown from campus exhibitions to city-wide showcases: a visual arts display at Suntec City in 2022, an illuminated installation on Campus Green in 2024, and now, in 2025, something unprecedented.

“And this year, we are proud to present MAD The Musical, SMU’s very first original musical!” says Weetz. The production tells the story of an undergraduate whose world collides with the campus site’s lesser-known past as Singapore’s first mental asylum.

It is also a rare collaboration between students and established theatre figures—Jo Tan, Jimmy Ye (who is also the Director of SMU’s Office of Student Life), George Chan, and Andy Cai among them. “Every year, we engage industry professionals to work alongside our students, creating meaningful creative projects for them,” Weetz explains. 

“These moments outside the classroom shape confidence, resilience, and character.”

Beyond the stage

Every performance is designed not just to entertain, but to connect. Sit through a concert, a dance showcase, or a musical at SMU Arts Fest 2025, and you’ll hear more than melodies and movement—you’ll catch glimpses of what the festival means to those who bring it to life.

“Music transcends boundaries—boundaries of time and ability,” says Xiangle.

“return of RE:TURN really encapsulates our diversity in dance… I hope audiences leave feeling a little inspired,” adds Dhea.

And as Weetz reminds us, “Arts is not just a performance or a painting, but a way of seeing the world differently… opening up fresh perspectives, connecting communities, and making us reflect on what truly matters.”