School Of Dance - The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

The Academy's world-class School of Dance focuses on the training and education of dance artists. Small class sizes, ten large dance studios, over twenty full-time staff from around the world, regular visits by world renown guest artists and choreographers, and the opportunity to perform in four major productions each year makes the School of Dance at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts one of the world's top dance schools.

A broad range of courses comprising both studio and academic course work are offered across four dance styles.

Intensive technical training is complemented by interdisciplinary studies in Drama, Music, Film & Television, Technical Arts, Chinese Traditional Theatre, Liberal Arts and Languages.

Applying learning across the curriculum develops comprehensive knowledge about the art form of dance. Students can apply their insights and understanding from the analytical and Liberal Arts courses, to the historical and social contexts in which dance evolves.

Through choreography and repertory work, students synthesize the traditional and contemporary elements of both Chinese and Western Dance arts.

Comprehensive training in classical Ballet technique includes pointe and male virtuosity classes, pas de deux, character dance, body conditioning and repertory that synthesizes both classical and contemporary ballet styles. Emphasis is on essential performance requirements needed in meeting the professional standards and technical demands for ballet in Hong Kong and internationally.

Comprehensive training in Chinese Dance techniques and styles includes Chinese classical dance, which is based on a syllabus developed at the Beijing Dance Academy, and Chinese folk dances. The classical dance is a synthesis of Chinese opera movement and ballet while the Chinese folk dances are selected from the Han and minority national dances in China. Shen Yun, a form of martial arts dance, also forms a core component of this major study.

Comprehensive training in Modern Dance includes a synthesis of mainstream Modern Dance techniques and styles and other contemporary idioms. Students are informed of Modern Dance origins and relevant current concerns and are guided in forming skills and critical knowledge necessary for original work and future development.

Comprehensive training in Musical Theatre Dance includes jazz, tap and hip hop dance techniques and styles in addition to courses in acting, singing and character analysis. This program trains students for work in a wide range of musical and commercial productions in Hong Kong and abroad.