Tag: Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) received a generous donation from Shaw Studios to establish Shaw Studios Scholarships in the 2024/25 academic year. The Scholarship aims to provide recognition and encouragement to outstanding Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree students of the School of Film and Television. The Academy held a scholarship presentation ceremony on 18 September 2025. Ms Helena Young, Director of Production Services and Marketing of Shaw Studios; and Professor Anna CY Chan, Academy Director attended the ceremony and presented certificates to the three awardees.

Professor Anna CY Chan, Academy Director, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Shaw Studios for its generous donation and support for the Academy. “Shaw Studios is a pioneer and leader of Hong Kong’s film and television industry. It has contributed tremendously to the development of the industry and generations of filmmakers and producers. Its generous donation to the Academy provides significant encouragement for our students. We look forward to further collaborations with Shaw Studios to provide students with opportunities for industry practice, working together to nurture more talent in film, television, and the performing arts.”

Dr Raymond Chan JP, Chairman of Shaw Foundation and Managing Director of Shaw Studios, said, “For over four decades, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts has nurtured numerous outstanding talents for the film and television industry, with many alumni achieving remarkable success in the field. Through the Shaw Studios Scholarship, we aim to provide awardees with additional resources to fully develop their strengths and contribute more exceptional works to the industry.”

The Greater Bay Area Youth Orchestra (GBAYO), presented by The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) and supported by the Swire Group as Founding Patron, has returned with live performances in Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Shenzhen from 11th to 15th July. This year, HKAPA and the Swire Group announced the renewal of their partnership in support of the GBAYO, reaffirming their shared commitment to inspiring young musicians and promoting cultural exchange in the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

The concert tour is also supported by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the HKSAR Government (HKSARG) and the Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality.

This year’s opening concert was held at HKAPA’s Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre (HKJC Amphitheatre) on 11th July with officiating guests in attendance, including Charles Yang Chuen-liang SBS JP, Council Chairman of HKAPA, Professor Anna CY Chan, Director of HKAPA and Arnold Cheng, Director, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Swire.

Nurturing nearly 300 talented young musicians from the GBA

The GBAYO programme features an orchestral training camp to cultivate musical excellence and cross-cultural collaboration among youth from the GBA. In early July, 98 young musicians gathered at HKAPA in Hong Kong for intensive training. Now, the orchestra has embarked on a three-city concert tour, beginning in Hong Kong on 11th July, followed by performances in Guangzhou on 13th July and concluding in Shenzhen on 15th July.

In the past three years, the programme has trained 279 musicians aged 16 to 28 and attracted over 6,500 concertgoers, highlighting its growing public resonance and cultural impact. Beyond the stage, the programme has made a lasting impact on its young musicians. Alumni from 2024’s GBAYO cohort have been accepted into HKAPA, The Royal Danish Academy of Music and the Cleveland Institute of Music, underscoring the orchestra’s success in nurturing talent and opening international doors.

A renewed partnership for enhanced cultural exchange

The GBAYO was launched by HKAPA with the support of the Swire Group in 2022. The 2025 season marks a continued partnership between the two organisations, strengthening youth engagement and community connections in the GBA.

Guy Bradley, Chairman of John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Limited, said, “As the Founding Patron, we are proud of what the GBAYO has achieved over the past three years and are pleased to renew our collaboration with HKAPA. Doing so furthers our shared mission of creating a world-class platform for young classical performers. At Swire, we are growing our presence in the GBA. At the same time, contributing to cultural exchange in the region is also important to us, as is promoting the GBA’s artistic achievements to the wider world.”

Professor Anna CY Chan, Director of HKAPA, remarked, “With the resounding success of our GBAYO concerts over the past three years, the Academy is proud to once again share the beauty of music with the public. Our commitment to young talent development is at the heart of this initiative, providing training and mentorship by renowned musicians that empower young musicians to excel on the global stage. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the HKSARG, the Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality and the Swire Group for their invaluable support.”

First overseas conductor to lead the GBAYO

This season marks a significant milestone for the GBAYO as it welcomes Christoph Koncz as its first overseas guest conductor. Currently in his second season as Music Director of the Orchestre Symphonique de Mulhouse and Principal Conductor of the Deutsche Kammerakademie Neuss am Rhein, Mr Koncz brings extensive international experience and artistic vision to the programme. Under Mr Koncz’s baton, the programme showcases a vibrant selection of pieces, including Dance of the Golden Snake by Nie Er (arr. Tang Jianping), Dohnányi’s Symphonic Minutes, Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé Suite No.2 and Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra.

Mr Koncz said, “I am delighted to lead the GBAYO as its first overseas guest conductor. From the very first rehearsal it was immediately clear that these young musicians are promising and passionate individuals, and their eagerness to learn and connect through music is very inspiring. I’m very much looking forward to sharing this exciting journey with the musicians and our audience and to contributing to a programme that so meaningfully bridges cultures and nurtures the next generation of artistic talent across the region.”

The 40th Anniversary Celebration Banquet of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) was successfully held on Friday, 27 June 2025, at the Convention Hall of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, marking the grand finale of its milestone celebrations. The banquet drew over 700 distinguished guests, including Government officials, past and present Academy Council members, management, staff, students, alumni, donors, and supporters, uniting to honour four decades of remarkable achievements in performing arts education.

The banquet was officiated by The Honourable Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Mr Charles Yang, Council Chairman of the Academy and Professor Anna CY Chan, Academy Director. The Academy was honoured by the presence of many distinguished guests, including Mr Zhang Zhihua, Deputy Director-General and Level I Bureau Rank Official, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province; Miss Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; and Mr Lin Nan, Deputy Director-General, Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

In his opening address, Financial Secretary The Honourable Paul Chan commended remarkable contributions of the Academy to advancing performing arts education and cultural development: “For four decades, you have stood as a pillar of performing arts education and creative innovation in Hong Kong, shaping the artistic landscape of our city and beyond. Since its founding in 1984, the Academy has played a vital role in nurturing generations of world-class talent in performing arts and arts technology.”

Themed “Aiming for New Heights”, the banquet pulsed with energy. Professor Anna CY Chan, Academy Director, serving as artistic director of the banquet, guided HKAPA students in delivering mesmerising performances. “East Meets West” opened the evening, as students from the Schools of Chinese Opera and Music enchanted audiences with harmonious vocals, showcasing Hong Kong’s unique role as a cultural crossroads. Miss Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism and as a distinguished guest, performed the Cantonese opera Departure of Zhaojun with live accompaniment from School of Chinese Opera students, elevating the evening’s atmosphere to a crescendo.

The second act, “Originality and Innovation”, featured creative performances and visuals by students from the Schools of Dance, Drama, and Film and Television, embodying the Academy’s commitment to cultural innovation and artistic brilliance. The finale, “Nurturing Future Talents”, began with a gripping violin solo and operatic performances by School of Music students, followed by a Dunhuang-inspired dance, Dream of Dun Huang, by School of Dance students, blending Eastern and Western elements to symbolise the Academy’s mission to nurture exceptional performing artists and make lasting contributions to cultural development in Hong Kong and beyond.

Council Chairman Charles Yang expressed heartfelt gratitude to all who have contributed to HKAPA’s success, “Embracing the spirit of tonight’s theme, we will continue to push boundaries, strengthening our position as a global leader in performing arts education and as a driving force for cultural development in Hong Kong and beyond — on a greater scale and for a greater impact.”

The Academy Director Professor Anna CY Chan extended sincere thanks to the Government, Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Academy Council, for their tireless efforts and staunch support. She remarked, “It is this same spirit – the spirit of the Academy and Hong Kong – that has earned us a distinguished place among the world’s top 20 performing arts education institutions in the QS University Rankings. This achievement is a testament to our collective pursuit of artistic excellence and our dedication to supporting emerging talent. Looking ahead, we remain steadfast in fostering creativity through interdisciplinary collaboration and cross-cultural exchange. Our goal is to create an environment where tradition and innovation harmonise, nurturing the next generation of artists and cultural leaders who will shape our community – and our world – for the better.”

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) is pleased to announce that Professor Andrew Laine has been appointed as Dean of the School of Theatre and Entertainment Arts, effective 2 July 2025.

Professor Laine is a seasoned educator with over 25 years of professional experience in technical direction, theatre and scenic design, and stage production. He holds a Master of Fine Arts from The University of Texas at Austin and has received professional theatre training across the United States. Previously, he served as a Professor at Temple University in Philadelphia, where he combined his technical expertise and artistic innovation to shape the future of theatrical production while nurturing new generations of technical directors, production artists, and stage managers.

Meanwhile, Professor Laine actively participates in regional theatre conferences and industry partnerships, fostering the integration of traditional stagecraft with emerging technologies that enhance student learning and artistic creation. His leadership roles in academic quality assurance and curriculum design, along with his experience in managing both undergraduate and graduate programmes, underscore his commitment to excellence in higher education. He is also an active member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT).

Professor Anna CY Chan, Academy Director, said, “I look forward to working with Professor Laine and firmly believe that his experience, expertise, and international connections will greatly contribute to the future advancement of the Academy, as well as to the development of theatre design and technical direction in Hong Kong and the wider region.”

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) will present its annual Open Day on March 3 this year, filled with over a hundred free performing arts events prepared by students and faculty from six Schools on the Wanchai Main Campus and the Béthanie Landmark Heritage Campus in Pokfulam of the Academy. Some activities will make use of artificial intelligence (AI) and art technology, providing visitors with an immensely joyful and unique experience.

A wide array of performing arts activities includes a performance by Junior Symphony Orchestra, concerts of Chinese and Western music, excerpt performances of musicals, drama, Cantonese opera, Dance open classes, film and television screenings, as well as guided tours for immersive performing arts activities. Furthermore, visitors can even go to backstage to discover the secrets behind the scenes, including stage design, props and costumes making, as well as stage effects exhibitions, indulging themselves in the world of performing arts on the day. The “HKAPA Digital Stage @Lib” of the Academy Library also allows visitors to step onto different stages as the character of the Academy productions virtually and take a digital photo.

The Academy heartily welcomes everyone to embark on an amazing journey exploring the integration of AI and art technology in performing arts.

About The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (www.hkapa.edu)

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), established by The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Ordinance in 1984, is a leading tertiary institution in the performing arts in Asia. It provides professional undergraduate education and practice-based postgraduate studies. The study encompasses Chinese Opera, Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. Its educational philosophy reflects the cultural diversity of Hong Kong with emphasis on Chinese and Western traditions, and interdisciplinary learning. Since 2008, the Academy has attained the Programme Area Accreditation (PAA) status awarded by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) to self-monitor and accredit its own undergraduate and post-secondary programmes in the five programme areas of Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. Since 2016, the PAA status has been extended to cover Master’s Degree programmes and below; and since 2023, the programmes operated by the School of Chinese Opera accredited by HKCAAVQ has also received PAA status for its post-secondary and undergraduate programmes.

Besides the main campus in Wanchai, Béthanie, the site of the Academy’s Landmark Heritage Campus in Pokfulam, has housed training facilities for the School of Film and Television since 2006.

In the QS University Rankings announced in 2023, the Academy ranks 1st in Asia and 13th in the world in the Performing Arts category.

HKAPA Open Day 2024
Sunday, March 3, 2024

Opening Hours

Wanchai Main Campus: 10 am – 5 pm

Béthanie Landmark Heritage Campus: 1 pm – 5 pm*

*Free shuttle bus services between the Wanchai Main Campus and the Béthanie Landmark Heritage Campus in Pokfulam will be provided on a first-come-first-served basis

Free admission, no registration required. For programme details, please visit https://www.hkapa.edu/event/hkapa-open-day2024 and the social media channels of the Academy.

Trailer of HKAPA Open Day 2024: https://youtu.be/1A79I2jMJe

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (the Academy) has conferred Honorary Awards on seven outstanding individuals in recognition of their remarkable achievements and contributions to the performing arts and cultural industry and also the development of the Academy.

The ceremony held on Oct 21, 2022 at the Academy Lyric Theatre was officiated by the Academy Council Chairman, Mr. Edward Cheng Wai-sun GBS JP. Academy Director, Professor Gillian Choa, expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the Honorary Awardees’ exemplary and valuable support to the Academy. Recipient of Honorary doctorate is Mr. Tang Shu-wing MH.

Recipients of the Honorary Fellowship are Mr. Keith Anderson, Ms. Chow Pui-wan, Ms. Wan Fai Yin Christina MH, Dr. Betty Peh-T’i Wei, Ms. Yip Wing-sie BBS JP and Mr. Yu Kwok-lit MH.

The Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Greater Bay Area International Music Festival was officially launched in September. The Academy joined hands with conservatories, orchestras and universities in the Greater Bay Area to present a variety of music performances online.

The HKSAR 25th Anniversary Celebration Concert presented by the Academy was the first programme of the Festival. Other performances included the Concerto Feast from the Academy’s School of Music faculty members and students, and the School of Dance Summer Performances 2021.

Recorded versions of the HKSAR 25th Anniversary Celebration Concert and School of Dance Summer Performances 2021 are available online. The celebration concert will also be broadcast on RTHK Radio 4 programme “Youth in Harmony” on October 31.

Watch the HKSAR 25th Anniversary Celebration Concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFNcYy0fkT4&t=7s

Watch the School of Dance Summer Performances 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTYfyTrxPxs&t=3s

The Jockey Club Dance Well Project is a creative movement programme designed for people with Parkinson’s disease and people of different ages and abilities through regular dance classes and activities in artistic spaces like galleries, museums and performance venues. Organised by our School of Dance and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, this three-year Project will start the Dance Well Classes in September 2022.

Academy Director Professor Gillian Choa says, “One of the Academy’s main focuses has always been serving our community through engagement programmes of various performing art forms. We are delighted to lead this meaningful project, which aims to have a positive impact on the overall wellbeing of those with Parkinson’s disease, their families and close friends, and at the same time generate awareness of the disease in society. We are extremely grateful to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for its kind support of the project.”

The Project is modelled after the Dance Well initiative introduced in Italy by the Municipality of Bassano del Grappa and the Centro per la Scena Contemporanea in 2013. The practice has since been extended to other Italian cities and adopted by Tokyo, Kyoto and Kanazawa in Japan. HKAPA is introducing this approach to Hong Kong and invites local dance artists to collaborate to bring an inclusive dance experience to members of the public. A scientific research will also be led by our School of Dance to assess the practices and impacts of dance on the physical functioning, psychological and social wellbeing of people with Parkinson’s disease in Hong Kong throughout the project period.

Jockey Club Dance Well Project – Dance Well Classes Details (first 2 series):

Venue: JC Contemporary, Tai Kwun (10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong), Ben Brown Fine Arts (201, The Factory, 1 Yip Fat St, Wong Chuk Hang)

Date: Sep 30, 2022 to Nov 25, 2022 (Designated Wednesday & Friday)

Time: 9:45 am – 10:45 am

12 Sessions, Free Admission

Venue: Rehearsal Room, Xiqu Centre (88 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon)

Date: Nov 9, 2022 to Dec 30, 2022 (Designated Monday, Wednesday & Friday)

Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am

12 Sessions, Free Admission

For details, please visit: https://jcdancewell.hkapa.edu/