The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) is a performing arts higher education institution established in 1984 by Hong Kong ordinance. It ranks 10th globally and 1st in Asia for Performing Arts in the 2026 QS World University Rankings. HKAPA is best suited for musicians seeking professional training in a bilingual (Chinese and Western) cultural environment at Asia's top-ranked performing arts institution.
Here is the official HKAPA Info Day trailer for 2025, from the academy's official YouTube channel:
Notable Alumni
HKAPA graduates have built careers as conductors, pianists, singers, actors, and composers across Asia and internationally:
- Lio Kuokman - Resident Conductor of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil), Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Macao Orchestra, and Chief Conductor of the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra. Lio was praised by the Philadelphia Inquirer as "a startling conducting talent" and was the second prize winner of the third Svetlanov International Conducting Competition in Paris. He served as the first Chinese Assistant Conductor with the Philadelphia Orchestra. He conducted the HK Phil at the Swire Symphony Under The Stars 2023 concert at the Central Harbourfront. Here is a performance with Lio conducting the HK Phil in a program of Tan Dun and Sibelius, from the Hong Kong Week Guangzhou series:
-
Colleen Lee Ka-ling - Internationally recognized pianist. Lee won 6th Prize at the 15th International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in 2005, the highest placement by a Hong Kong pianist at the competition. She graduated from HKAPA with First Class Honours in 2001 and completed a Professional Diploma in Piano Performance in 2003. She trained under Professor Eleanor Wong at HKAPA and later with Arie Vardi at the Hochschule fur Musik, Theater und Medien in Hannover. She made her debut with the London Symphony Orchestra under Simon Rattle in 2019. Her discography includes an all-Chopin album on Pleyel Piano released by the Fryderyk Chopin Institute and a complete Scarlatti Sonatas album on Naxos. She is currently on the piano faculty at HKAPA. Visit her official website for more.
-
Alice Lau Nga-lai - Singer, actress, and HKAPA alumna. Lau originated the role of Butterfly Yiu in the stage production of I Have a Date with Spring and starred in the 1994 film adaptation, which won three awards at the 14th Hong Kong Film Awards including Best New Performer. The theme song became a major Cantopop hit. She performed at HKAPA's 40th anniversary Back to School Party in March 2026. Here is her performance of the theme song from the film:
- Louis Cheung (Cheung Kai-chung) - Hong Kong singer, songwriter, and actor. Cheung majored in acting at HKAPA and has performed in over 20 stage plays, including A Streetcar Named Desire as Stanley Kowalski. He entered the music industry in 2005, winning Best Male Newcomer (Bronze) at the Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation. He has written songs for major Cantopop artists including Eason Chan, Leo Ku, Hacken Lee, and Joey Yung. His well-known compositions include "Woodgrain" and "Hard to Detect."
About the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
HKAPA provides professionally-oriented undergraduate education and postgraduate studies across six disciplines: Chinese Opera, Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. The School of Music offers a four-year Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree and a one-year Diploma in Music Foundations. Students major in a Western instrument, a Chinese instrument, voice, or composition and electronic music. The academy hosts over 200 concerts each year, providing extensive performance opportunities in solo, chamber music, orchestral, and choral settings. Approximately 90 international artists visit the School of Music annually for masterclasses and individual tuition. The academy's educational philosophy reflects Hong Kong's cultural diversity with emphasis on both Chinese and Western traditions.
Real-World Example
A composition student at HKAPA majors in composition and electronic music, gaining access to studios equipped for both Western and Chinese musical traditions. The student performs in collaborations with other HKAPA schools, including dance and drama productions. Over 200 concerts per year mean performance opportunities are frequent. Students have won top awards in Hong Kong and international music competitions. Substantial scholarships are available from the Society of the Academy for Performing Arts, the ABRSM, and the Hong Kong Jockey Club for both local and non-local students with outstanding talent.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
HKAPA's No. 1 ranking in Asia for performing arts gives graduates credibility across the region. The combination of Chinese and Western music training is rare and increasingly relevant as Asian music markets grow. The four-year BMus program provides more training time than the typical three-year European bachelor. Hong Kong's position as a global arts hub provides networking opportunities with visiting international artists. The 90 visiting artists per year offer masterclasses that would be expensive to access independently. Scholarship funding from multiple sources helps offset tuition costs for talented students.
Drawbacks / Things to Consider
Hong Kong is one of the most expensive cities in the world for housing and daily living. Political changes since 2020 have created uncertainty for some international students. The academy's focus on performing arts means limited academic musicology offerings. Non-local students face higher tuition fees and visa requirements. The BMus program is competitive, with limited places for international students. Cantonese language skills are helpful for daily life, though instruction is available in English. Hong Kong's climate is hot and humid for much of the year.
Related Resources
- Music Schools Directory
- Visit HKAPA for more info
Related Schools
- Central Conservatory of Music - China's top music conservatory in Beijing
- Seoul National University College of Music - Leading music school in South Korea
- Tokyo University of the Arts - Japan's top arts university
- Yong Siew Toh Conservatory - Conservatory at the National University of Singapore
