The Future Frontiers of Dance: A Look into Hong Kong’s Dance Education Programme, Arts Voyager
A Look into Hong Kong’s Dance Education Programme, Arts Voyager
Shaping the next generation of choreographers and dance artists in Hong Kong with their dance education programme Arts Voyager, is the local dance company Passoverdance. This innovative platform gives young emerging dancers and choreographers an opportunity to explore their creativity and movement under the guidance of leading local artists. Diving into this amazing programme, we’ll uncover what it’s all about and look at The 2nd Arts Voyager: Landing in Suspense that took place this past April 2021!
Restructured by Pewan Chow, Antoinette Mak, and a group of young artists, Passoverdance has been around since 1993 and has made its presence in the city as a local non-profit dance organisation. Having toured many cities across Asia, the company has represented and shared our local contemporary dance culture through their various productions. Aside from producing their own works and productions, they also started a dance education programme known as Arts Voyager in 2015. Providing Hong Kong’s youth with valuable dance training that covers technique, creativity and choreography. Through their dance courses, workshops, choreographic and performance opportunities, Arts Voyager has been giving young aspiring artists hands-on experiences in dance, offering them the tools they need to launch their artistic journeys.
In studio and on stage, this unique educational programme brings Hong Kong’s dance development to the forefront. Inspiring our next generation of artists and leaders in dance, Arts Voyager uses dance as a means of creative expression and exploration, all while developing arts appreciation amongst our youth.
The 2nd Arts Voyager: Landing in Suspense was presented on April 16-18, 2021 at the Hong Kong Arts Centre McAulay Studio. Featuring the works of nine young choreographers and a cast of 18 dancers, each choreographer worked with anywhere from one to three dancers for their piece. What made the programme particularly interesting is that the choreographers did not come from vocational dance backgrounds. Some of the choreographers are young dance enthusiasts working in various fields such as programming, arts administration and psychology. Therefore, this platform opens up the possibilities of dance creation, and makes it more accessible to all.
“Due to a pinch of curiosity, I started this journey of choreography. This course enabled me to understand the creation process of choreography. Starting from zero, I was able to
search and explore and became clearer about my thoughts and preferences”.
-Chan Pui Yee Katie (Choreographer)
Other than the times in which choreographers are working together with the dancers, the process can sometimes be a lonely road. Luckily for these nine choreographers, they received professional guidance from Passoverdance’s Artistic Director, Pewan Chow, the Artistic Director of Arts Voyager, Elaine Kwok, as well as three guest advisors to help them complete and present their final pieces.
“The process of creation is a journey accompanied by questions and choices. We explore, and are never alone”.
-Kalyn Fung (Choreographer)
Reflecting on their experiences, the choreographers concluded the programme by sharing their perspectives on the process and outcome of the programme.
“Creation cannot be realised without life experience and reflection, it is an endless excavation. “l / l” is my first duet choreography and the first work being showcased publicly. I enjoyed the dialogues and exploration of concepts, movements, symbols, structure, spatial relationship, music and lighting, etc. throughout the choreographic journey.
Heartfelt gratitude is due to Passoverdance who has provided a platform for a group of contemporary dance lovers and beginners in choreography with diverse backgrounds to openly exchange ideas and comments. It’s been uneasy to be able to dance, choreograph and perform over these two years of the pandemic. Overall, the three years of exploration in choreography has been worthwhile and fulfilling”.
-Pang Wai Yee Gloria (Choreographer)
With new voices heard through choreography, Arts Voyager brings new life into Hong Kong’s dance scene. Accessibility in dance is something that dance communities are always striving towards and trying to develop further. Programs like these are necessary for us to foster artistic appreciation and keep our arts and cultural sectors alive.
For more information on the Arts Voyager programme visit: https://www.passoverdance-en.org/the-artsvoyager