[Hong Kong — 20 Sep 2024] Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) has always been dedicated to nurturing the art of ballet with passion and professionalism. As we witness our educational programmes’ rapid growth, we are thrilled to announce the grand opening of Hong Kong Academy of Ballet (the Academy), which aims to provide rigorous professional ballet training to students of all ages and honours the company’s original name when it was founded 45 years ago. At the same time, the ‘Greater Bay Area Ballet Incubation Centre’, the Academy's first exchange programme, officially launches to promote cultural development in the Greater Bay Area.

At the Academy’s opening ceremony today, we were honoured to have officiating guest Mr Yeung Yun Hung, Kevin, GBS, JP, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to inaugurate the Academy. Mr Yeung was joined by Mr Zhang Sheng, Deputy Director of Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau, officiating guest for the ‘Greater Bay Area Ballet Incubation Centre’ kick-off ceremony, to share about the exciting new initiatives coming up alongside Ms Daisy Ho, BBS, Hong Kong Ballet Board of Governors Chairman, and Mr Li Baozong, General Manager of China Arts and Entertainment Group. After the ceremony, HKB dancers treated guests to delightful performances, showcasing their exceptional talent and artistry. HKB Artistic Director Mr Septime Webre and Executive Director Ms Heidi Lee introduced the teachers, highlighted the Academy’s vision and mission for its establishment, and emphasized the Academy's commitment to fostering a new generation of ballet artists. They also shared the exciting upcoming activity plans for the 'Greater Bay Area Ballet Incubation Centre,' aiming to deepen the exchange of ballet arts within the Greater Bay Area.

New State-of-the-art Facility
In addition to its Happy Valley studio, HKB opened a new Wong Chuk Hang studio this year to support the Academy’s intensive courses and programmes for youth and adults. Our philosophy of providing professionally-oriented ballet training in a nurturing environment ensures that students build a solid foundation in ballet technique and develop their artistry. The Academy is not just a place for training; it is also a haven where young minds are shaped with focus, discipline, confidence, teamwork and a deep appreciation for the arts.  

With a syllabus developed by its world-renowned faculty and artistic staff, the Academy’s unique curriculum is designed to build a solid ballet foundation with the Classical Ballet Training Programme, Pre-Ballet Foundation Programme, Adult and Youth Programmes and Summer Intensive Programme. In the future, the Academy will collaborate with The Royal Ballet School to provide training for its instructors. Additionally, HKB plans to offer scholarships for low-income families, educational outreach programmes and international ballet education seminars. Students will have exciting opportunities to share the stage with HKB dancers and participate in community outreach activities.

Mr Yeung Yun Hung, Kevin, GBS, JP, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR shared, 'I sincerely congratulate Hong Kong Ballet on its 45th anniversary. Since its establishment, HKB has been committed to innovation and actively promoting the popularization of ballet, which deserves our praise. The official opening of Hong Kong Academy of Ballet today marks a further expansion of the company's work in arts education. Additionally, HKB is collaborating with Guangzhou Opera House to establish ‘Greater Bay Area Ballet Incubation Centre’, promoting cultural and artistic exchange and cooperation within the Greater Bay Area. We will continue to support Hong Kong performing arts groups and artists in participating in performances and creations in the Greater Bay Area, broadening the audience base, enhancing artistic standards, and further showcasing Hong Kong to develop into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.'

HKB Board of Governors Chairman Ms Ho shared, ‘45 years ago, HKB was established as the Hong Kong Academy of Ballet. 45 years later, we remain committed to our original mission, continuing make great strides in ballet education and promotion. We will host more high-level performances, exchanges and community activities. Today I am pleased to witness the launch of ‘Greater Bay Area Ballet Incubation Centre’, which will allow young people in the Greater Bay Area to share in the joy of ballet through training, workshops, rehearsals and performances.’

‘Greater Bay Area Ballet Incubation Centre’
To cultivate new ballet talent in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, HKB has partnered with Guangzhou Opera House to establish the ‘Greater Bay Area Ballet Incubation Centre’, which will provide long-term programmes to nurture young artists and create exceptional ballet works. The Centre offers a platform for emerging choreographers and dancers and will organise outreach and educational activities to promote ballet in the Greater Bay Area.

Guangzhou Municipal Cultural, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau Deputy Director Mr Zhang said, ‘Today two leading performing arts organisations will undertake the sacred responsibility and significant mission of promoting high-quality cultural development in the Greater Bay Area. This successful collaboration is not only a partnership between Guangzhou Opera House and Hong Kong Ballet but also another important achievement in the integration and diverse development of Guangzhou and Hong Kong. I believe the ‘Greater Bay Area Ballet Incubation Centre’ will become a shining pearl of cultural arts in Greater Bay Area cities, providing broader and deeper cultural cooperation and development.’

China Arts and Entertainment Group General Manager Mr Li said, ‘The ‘Greater Bay Area Ballet Incubation Centre,’ jointly initiated by Guangzhou Opera House, a subsidiary of China Arts and Entertainment Group, and Hong Kong Ballet, has officially opened. The aim is to gather resources from within and outside the Greater Bay Area to create a regional synergy. Based in the Greater Bay Area, the initiative seeks to establish a development platform for ballet artists with international influence, contributing Chinese strength to the global advancement of ballet.’

HKB hopes that everyone will support its mission to make ballet education and training accessible to people from all walks of life.