The School of Chinese Opera aspires to provide students with professional and comprehensive training in Cantonese opera performance and music through a forward-looking, stimulating, highly integrated and innovative curriculum.

The School focuses on the research on the practice and context of Chinese opera, extension of the artistic horizon of students and enhancement of their performance and their analytical and creative ability. Through a systematic curriculum, including artistic training and Chinese culture and history of Chinese opera as supportive subjects, the School provides students with an exploratory and experimental learning environment. Our teaching and learning framework develops the artistic, intellectual and professional skills of students, extends their horizon and strengthens their understanding, performance, analysis, assessment and participation in the composition of Chinese opera in an orderly way and helps the students to proceed step by step. Students will be able to master their professional skills and artistic knowledge and broaden their understanding of Chinese culture and appreciation of Chinese opera.

The School has also invited experienced Cantonese opera actors to be visiting artists to provide guidance for students to practise selected repertoires to help them adapt to the performing and operational styles of the industry sel¬ectively in the future. To help the students reflect upon their progress of performing practice, the School has installed a multi-angle simultaneous recording system, a means to incorporate technology in teaching and learning. The School is also developing a brand-new SOBA system to enhance students’ experience of Cantonese opera by using multi-dimensional digital technology.

The School co-organised international performances and study tours with overseas institutions. Our teachers, students and graduate troupe members performed at Oberlin College in the US and at the Starlight Chinese Opera Performing Arts Centre in Canada. Students were invited to perform Cantonese Opera excerpts, The Villain, the General and the Heroic Beauty, and Eight Divinities Crossing the Sea respectively.

In 2017, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China, a grand Cantonese opera performance, Cantonese Opera Extravaganza for Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of HKSAR, brought together members of the Young Academy Cantonese Opera Troupe, students and alumni of the Academy and local Cantonese opera elites. There were a total of 13 performances showcased.

(by surname in alphabetical order)

The School of Chinese Opera endeavours to nurture all-round professional talents, and at the same time, prepare them for academic and career developments in the future. Graduates can participate in the performance of professional Chinese opera troupes, taking up jobs as performers. They are also capable of teaching primary and secondary school students Chinese opera and music. Furthermore, graduates can undertake promotional and administrative work for arts and culture at West Kowloon Cultural Centre and Government departments. They can also write critiques on Chinese opera and Cantonese opera in magazines and newspapers columns. Apart from joining the workforce, pursuing master’s degrees in local universities has been a popular choice among graduates recently.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) Degree in Chinese Opera Programme     
Major Study    
> Cantonese Opera Performance     
> Cantonese Opera Music

Diploma in Cantonese Opera Foundations    
(Feeder programme to Undergraduate Programme)

Professional Diploma in Cantonese Opera   
New programme for Academic Year 2023/24 (Subject to approval)

Programme Enquiry: (852) 2584 8376