Michael Xavier Voon - 14BCAA Judge
Performance coach, choreographer, and the longest serving judge for the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards, Michael Xavier Voon talks about what makes an amazing show.
Choreographer · Director · Performance Coach
Michael Xavier Voon is a multi‑faceted performing arts practitioner whose work spans contemporary dance, theatre, television and performance coaching. With decades of experience shaping Malaysian and regional performing arts, he creates work that is physical, spiritual and deeply human.
"My Wok" is Michael Xavier Voon's signature choreographic work – a powerful fusion of cultural storytelling, everyday life, and movement innovation. First created in 2006, this piece has become synonymous with MXV's artistic vision, blending the ordinary (the kitchen wok) with the extraordinary world of contemporary dance. The work exemplifies his philosophy of finding art in the mundane and celebrating Malaysian identity through movement.
Watch Michael's choreography, performances and interviews that showcase his work across dance, theatre and television.
Performance coach, choreographer, and the longest serving judge for the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards, Michael Xavier Voon talks about what makes an amazing show.
Choreographed by Michael Xavier Voon for Short+Sweet Dance at KLPAC, Malaysia. Winner of the Most People Like Award.
Excerpt from Diaries 09 performed live at Astro for Debaran Sehati Berdansa, December 6, 2009. A powerful example of MXV's theatrical choreography.
Michael Xavier Voon discusses the importance of spirituality in the arts and his vision for Malaysia's cultural landscape.
A cappella performance with choreography by Michael Xavier Voon, showcasing his ability to blend movement with vocal performance.
A selection of stage productions, television projects and performance works that reflect Michael's range as choreographer, director and performance coach.
Michael's choreography for the musical "Dreamgirls" earned him the BOH Cameronian Arts Award for Best Choreographer in 2012, highlighting his command of large‑scale musical theatre.
A dynamic stage piece exploring power, loyalty and physical protection, blending strong narrative movement with character‑driven choreography.
A performance rooted in narrative, gesture and memory, "Storyteller" showcases Michael's ability to turn personal histories into evocative movement on stage.
For this classic Shakespeare production, Michael crafted movement that sharpened the emotional tension and cultural textures of the story.
A cross‑genre experiment combining hip hop, opera and theatre, "HipHopera" reflects Michael's interest in breaking boundaries between forms and audiences.
A high‑energy musical built around 1960s pop hits, where Michael's choreography drives both humour and nostalgia.
A collaborative performance bringing together respected Malaysian dancers in an intimate, reflective work presented on CloudJoi's digital platform as part of the "YOU ARE NOT ALONE" festival.
Michael coached contestants on Malaysian Idol, including winner Jaclyn Victor, Faizal Tahir, Dina and Daniel Lee, shaping their stage presence, storytelling and emotional delivery for live television.
As a judge and mentor on the Malaysian edition of "So You Think You Can Dance", Michael supported emerging dancers in technique, versatility and performance craft.
Michael has appeared across Malaysian television as a coach and judge on shows such as "One in a Million", "Sehati Berdansa", "Realiti" and "Audition", becoming a familiar and trusted voice in popular performance.
An urban‑inflected contemporary dance work that captures the energy and complexity of Kuala Lumpur, blending street and contemporary movement vocabularies.
Michael Xavier Voon (born in Ipoh, Perak) is often described as a "performing arts polymath" – a choreographer, director, educator and performance coach whose work moves between theatre, dance, television and spiritual practice.
Michael's practice weaves contemporary dance, theatre and what he calls "prayformance" – performance as an act of prayer and presence. He is drawn to work that is intimate, brave and honest, and that invites audiences to encounter their bodies, stories and faith in new ways.
Over the years he has collaborated with actors, dancers, singers, visual artists, filmmakers and faith communities, creating works that shift easily between the black box, the television studio, the church hall and the public square. Whether coaching a young singer for live TV or shaping a full‑length stage work, he is known for his generosity, rigour and humour in the rehearsal room.
After receiving his training in the United States, Michael burst onto the Malaysian dance scene in the early 1990s. He borrowed techniques from Eastern, Western and other cultures to create new multicultural expressions, with dance structures that are more abstract or realistic rather than being rooted solely in traditional Malaysian culture.
For choreography, directing, performance coaching, workshops, retreats or speaking engagements, please reach out with details of your project, dates and location.
Michael is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and is available for projects locally and internationally, including stage productions, television, church and community work, and private coaching.