The NUS Dance Ensemble has earned wide recognition for its dedication in showcasing new talents and original works. As a platform for young dancers and choreographers, the group explores various facets of dance, incorporating dance movements such as contemporary, jazz and ballet in their ever-changing, uncompromising and unconventional repertoire. Ethnic elements are also expressed through a variety of modern interpretations.

Under the direction of its Founder and Resident Choreographer Zaini Mohammed Tahir, the group staged Imageries, its first dance concert in Kallang Theatre in 1992. Since then, the group has been active at external and campus cultural events. The more memorable performances include the ExxonMobil Campus Concerts Opening Show and the Official Opening of the University Cultural Centre, Dance Reflections concerts  and  NUS Dance Ensemble's highly successful The Next Wave series. The group has also performed in Thailand and Malaysia, and at national events such as the Festival of Arts Fringe in 1994, 1996 and 1998. It was also selected to present two dance items as a part of the mass drama for 1996's National Day Parade Celebration and was actively involved in the National Day Countdown of 1998 and the Countdown to 1999 staged at Suntec City. The Ensemble performed a fusion dance for MediacorpTV12 at Shine, The Front  Party held at St James Powerhouse in October 2006.

The Next Wave
The NUS Dance Ensemble has been organising the highly successful series of annual dance concerts entitled The Next Wave since 1996. The objectives of this platform are to discover and groom new choreographers and talents in dance; encourage the development of fresh, innovative fusion of modern technique and ethnic essences; and to provide a space where their artists and their works could be showcased.

The Next Wave 2006 showcased pieces by Resident Choreographer Zaini Mohd Tahir and the strong core of Ensemble choreographers such as Shahbirul Zaki, who is a well established choreographer and dancer in the commercial dance scene. The production also featured choreography by Dan Kwoh; Winner of the Best Male Dancer Award (2005) in CSTD's Theatrical Festival in Perth and budding young choreographers in the contemporary dance circle.