Gonzales is the brother of Datin Freda Sabapathy, former national sprinter and now advocate.[2] His brothers-in-law include her husband former Olympic field hockey player Datuk Arumugam Sabapathy and the retired Malaysian ambassador to Italy, Dato’ Ramanathan Vengadesan. He is also the uncle of writer and journalist Martin Vengadesan.[3]
Dancing and teaching activities
Gonzales began dancing as a student. From 1981 to 1984, he was part of the choreographic ensemble Kesuma at the University of Malaya and the Frances Ballet Academy.[4] From 1984 to 1986, he danced with the Federal Academy of Ballet.[4] From 1992 to 1994, he taught ballet, modern dance, tap, and jazz dance at the Federal Academy of Ballet.[5]
Gonzales also served as Assistant Artistic Director to Lee Lee Lan for the Kuala Lumpur Dance Theatre.[6] In 1994, he began working as a lecturer at the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (ASWARA, formerly known as the National Arts Academy), becoming Dean of the Faculty of Dance in 1998, a position he held until 2015.[7] At ASWARA, Gonzales developed a curriculum that included Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Western dance forms. According to The Star Online, this approach aimed to reflect Malaysia's diverse cultural heritage and equip students with broad technical proficiency.[8]
Gonzales served as the president of My Dance Alliance (1999–2001), co-chairman of the Asian Dance Committee in Seoul, South Korea (2011–2017), and adjudicator for the Singapore Youth Festival (2008–present) and Sprouts, a young choreographers’ platform in Singapore. He also held the role of vice-president of the South East Asia World Dance Alliance (2011–2016).[9]
In 2025, he returned to Kuala Lumpur to helm the ASK Dance Company.[11] The latest production of Malay dance "Setanggi Tari Melayu" [12] was staged at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre.[13]
Works
At ASWARA, Gonzales produced productions featuring traditional dances and multicultural identities, such as Main Zapin, Tapestry, Asyik, Crossing Borders in Bharatanatyam, and Hang Li Po. He was also the artistic director of the international Tari series, a festival of international universities of the arts from 1998–2014.
Participants of the choreographic composition "Awas" (2003), director by Gonzalez
Other productions included: P. Ramlee, Musical (2007) at the Palace of Culture in Kuala Lumpur, Hamlet (2007), Passion (2007) at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, Rhythms in Bronze (2011),[14]The Two (2013), Rise (2013) at the Penang Centre for the Performing Arts, Enter/Exit (2014), Suara (2011), The Last Tea Party (2013) for ASWARA, Becoming King... The Pakyung Revisited (2014 and 2015), and Seru (2016).
In 2011, he established ASK Dance Company, a professional dance company that presents performances in Malaysia and at international festivals.[15]
Awards
"Cross-cultural Champion of the Arts" (Boh Cameronian Arts Awards, 2007)[16]
"Best Music & Sound Design" (Boh Cameronian Arts Awards, 2007)[16]
"Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Dance" (Academy Kshetra, 2010)
"Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Dance" (Rotary Club, 2011)
"Outstanding Service" (National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage, 2011)
↑ Gonzales, Joseph. - in: Pogadaev, V. Malay World (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore). Lingvostranovedchesky Dictionary. M.: "Vostochnaya Kniga", 2012, p. 211
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