The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (the Academy) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Iñaki Sandoval as Dean of School of Music, with effect from August 1, 2022.
Dr. Iñaki Sandoval is an internationally renowned pianist, composer, and music producer with extensive arts administration experience. As Dean of Music of the Academy, Dr. Sandoval will lead the implementation of the overall vision and the academic development of the School of Music, working closely with faculty members to promote innovative enhancements in the delivery of performing arts education.
Academy Director, Professor Gillian Choa, warmly welcomes Dr. Sandoval to the Academy community, “Dr. Sandoval has over two decades of experience in higher education in music and is an internationally acclaimed musician himself. With his breadth of experience, expertise, and international connections, I am confident that he will be able to build upon existing strengths of the School and develop new initiatives that will further strengthen its overall growth and positioning, hence making a very positive and valuable contribution to the Academy. I very much look forward to working with Dr. Sandoval.”
Devoting himself to higher education in music for over 20 years, Dr. Sandoval has held senior management and teaching positions in different institutions around the world. Prior to joining the Academy, Dr. Sandoval has served as Principal cum Tenured Professor at the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy in Estonia. He is also the founding Dean of Graduate Studies and founding Director of the Jazz Department at the Liceu Conservatory in Spain. As a former council member of the European Association of Conservatories, and board member of the International Association of Jazz Schools, Dr. Sandoval is well connected with conservatoires and performing arts educators.
Dr. Sandoval received professional music training both in the United States and Spain. He holds a PhD in Musicology and Art History from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, a Master of Music degree from the University of Nevada, and two Bachelor of Music degrees from the Berklee College of Music and the Liceu Conservatory, respectively.
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. The programmes operated by the School of Chinese Opera are accredited by HKCAAVQ for recognition under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework. 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 World University Rankings announced in 2022, the Academy is ranked 1st in Asia and 10th in the world in the Performing Arts category.