Claire Tjoe-Fat
Artist
(She/her)
Joined Scottish Ballet: 2024
Training: Dutch National Ballet Academy
Don’t settle for anything that doesn’t make you happy, life is too short to settle for anything less.
After nine years of training at the Dutch National Ballet Academy, Claire graduated and achieved her Bachelor of the Arts diploma. During her training she danced in multiple productions with the Dutch National Ballet including Swan Lake and Giselle. Shortly after, she got accepted in the Junior Company where she was part of for two years.
In 2021 she started her career in the main company of The Dutch National Ballet allowing her to perform in numerous ballets and work with famous choreographers like Hans van Manen, David Dawson, William Forsythe, and Wayne McGregor.
What career moment are you most proud of?
Moving abroad to follow my dream.
What’s your favourite ballet to watch?
My favourite classical ballet would be Onegin by John Cranko and my favourite contemporary ballet would be Bedroom Folk by Sharon Eyal & Gai Behar.
What’s your dream role to perform?
Petite Morte by Jiří Kylián, Concerto Barocco by George Balanchine, Minus 16 by Ohad Naharin.
What do you like to do on your days off?
I’ll always be up for exciting new adventures!
What’s something people might not know about you?
I was born and raised in The Netherlands, however almost my whole family is from Suriname, which used to be a Dutch colony until 1975. I am very proud to identify myself as a Dutch with Chinese/Surinamese culture.
What does ‘home’ mean to you?
Amsterdam.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t settle for anything that doesn’t make you happy, life is too short to settle for anything less.
What’s the best thing about going on tour with the company?
Free travels to see the world and to do what I love most, it’s truly the best thing about our job.
Repertoire Highlights: Atomos by Wayne McGregor, Artifact Suite by William Forsythe, and Swan Lake by Rudi van Dantzig with the Dutch National Ballet.
Accolades: Scholarship Dansersfonds ‘79 2017, Encouragement Award Coaching Mabel Alter School 2015.
