What is Pulse of the Beat?
Pulse of the Beat is a movement and reminiscence arts programme that brings the joy of dance, creative expression, and storytelling to seniors in Singapore. Through movement and shared experiences, the programme fosters connection, creativity, and active aging, encouraging seniors to rediscover their physical and emotional strength.
Our Inspiration
The programme was inspired by Body in Motion, a chair-based movement initiative designed during the pandemic to keep seniors physically engaged at home and in eldercare settings while providing respite for caregivers. Recognizing the transformative impact of movement and the arts on seniors’ well-being, Pulse of the Beat was created in 2023 to expand on this concept, integrating dance with reminiscence arts.
Growing Impact & Iterations
Since its inception, Pulse of the Beat has had two successful iterations. The first edition in 2023 introduced Malay dance movements, culminating in a social event and photo exhibition that celebrated seniors’ engagement in the arts. The second edition in 2024 explored Chinese Fan Dance, where seniors used movement and storytelling to revisit memories of old Singapore. Over five months, we worked with approximately five Senior Activity Centres and eldercare homes, capturing powerful moments of seniors in action—expressing themselves, sharing their stories, and building meaningful connections.
Pulse of the Beat- The Exhibition
The Pulse of the Beat exhibition is a visual journey showcasing the resilience, creativity, and spirit of seniors who took part in the programme. Unlike previous editions, this exhibition places a deeper focus on the personal narratives and emotional depth behind each movement, capturing the joy and strength of active aging. Through photography, we bring to life the seniors’ experiences—showing how movement and reminiscence arts can transform lives, create community bonds, and inspire generations.
Join us as we celebrate their journey, honoring the beauty of movement, memory, and human connection.
Engaging Seniors in the Arts (Panel Discussion)
06 April 2025, 2-4pm, AMK Library
Mr. Ameerali Abdeali, Guest-of-Honour
Ameerali Abdeali is a community leader and social advocate in Singapore, known for his contributions to interfaith harmony, safety leadership, and volunteerism. A passionate advocate for dialogue and understanding, Ameerali often speaks at conferences and forums on leadership, social harmony, and civic responsibility. He has served in numerous roles across both the public and private sectors. His work reflects a deep commitment to fostering unity, compassion, and responsible citizenship within Singapore’s multicultural society.
He is the Honorary President of the National Safety Council of Singapore where he promotes workplace safety and leadership development. In the realm of social service, Ameerali holds key positions such as President of the Muslim Kidney Action Association (MKAC) and Honourable Secretary of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO). As a retired Justice of the Peace, he served as an Inspector of Prisons and as a Mediator with the Family Justice Courts.
Mr. Jeffrey Tan, Moderator
Jeffrey is an experienced theatre director, arts educator and creative producer. Since 2022, Jeffrey has been an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the National University of Singapore. Currently, Jeffrey is the Producer for Arts for Wellbeing, a joint initiative of the National Arts Council, SingHealth Community Hospitals and Agency For Integrated Care.
Ms. Frances Ng, Panelist
Frances Ng is passionate about empowering individuals to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives, and believes that volunteering is a key avenue for impact. With 12 years of experience in volunteer management, Frances has played a pivotal role in strengthening volunteer engagement throughout the sector. As part of HCA Hospice’s Volunteer Management & Engagement team, she leads volunteer engagement, appreciation and deployment across its day hospices. Her efforts were instrumental in expanding HCA’s volunteer base and enhancing the volunteer experience.
Mr. Michael Cheng, Panelist
Michael Cheng is an applied drama practitioner and educator from Singapore, specializing in socially engaged arts. He has extensive experience using drama-based methods to foster connection, awareness, and dialogue in diverse communities, including people with disabilities and seniors. Michael has also designed and facilitated workshops for educators, artists, and community workers both in Singapore and internationally. One of his current projects involves secondary students and seniors in an intergenerational reminiscence programme using Playback Theatre. He holds a Master’s in Arts Pedagogy and Practice from Goldsmiths, University of London, supported by the National Arts Council’s Arts Scholarship.
Mr. Michael Gray, Panelist
Awaiting
Mdm. Shaul Hamid Shabirah, Panelist
Shabirah is 77 years young, semi-retired. She is an active senior volunteer at Maya and is part of the facilitation team for Pulse of the Beat. She looks at life in positive ways and as she grows older, she enjoys her own company and space and uses her time reflecting on the spiritual side of life, and connecting with her Creator. In this piece, she reminisces on her life journey and the adventures she has gone through since she was a little girl and how it has shaped her to grow her social circle and provide a listening ear to her friends and family whenever they need.
