Hong Kong Ballet Finds a New Stage Online


[Hong Kong—18 June 2020] Although live performances have been on hiatus due to COVID-19, Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) has quickly adapted and created fresh, interactive videos to engage with audiences online on social media including YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Now in its fourteenth week since launching on 16 March, the new HKBALLET@HOME online channel has garnered over 660,000 views on HKB’s official platforms, connecting with ballet lovers across the globe. Beginning on 15 June, part of the series will be available on MOViE MOViE on Demand (Now TV Ch 116) & MOViE MOViE PLAY (Now E).

One of the first local performing arts channels launched during the pandemic, HKBALLET@HOME currently has over 40 entertaining ballet-themed episodes, ranging from knowledge-based talk shows ‘ballet-blah-blah-blah’, ‘Barre Classes Online’, to fun cooking and game shows like ‘Ballerina Chef’ and ‘Ballet 101’ that cater to the general public as well as ballet lovers of all levels.

A creative partnership with PUMA has resulted in the engaging ‘HKBallet x PUMA Ballet Workout Series’, which focuses on flexibility and core/muscle strengthening for both children and adults. Also, HKB x M.A.C will have some upcoming makeup tutorials inspired by Romeo + Juliet, and Perrier-Jouët champagne will be featured in a fun summer cocktail tutorial, with our dancers sharing how they pursue their professional dance careers in Hong Kong. In the spirit of its former ‘Never Standing Still’ slogan, HKB proves how crisis breeds creativity with its online content.

HKBALLET@HOME is available for free on HKB’s YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram pages. Some videos are now available on MOViE MOViE on Demand (Now TV Ch 116) & MOViE MOViE PLAY (Now E). For details of each episode, please refer to Appendix I.

In addition to producing its own original content, HKB collaborated with UK-based company Corey Baker Dance on two short dance films, Spaghetti Junction and Lying Together, which premiered on BBC’s Culture in Quarantine. Set in various iconic UK and Hong Kong landscapes, these two powerful pieces innovatively use choreography and cinematography to cross national boundaries with a timely message of climate change and biodiversity. Hong Kong audiences can watch the videos on BBC website or via the links listed in Appendix II.

Appendix I: HKBALLET@HOME

Ballet Goes Viral

1. ballet-blah-blah-blah
To celebrate its 40th Anniversary, HKB invited founding member Mary Griffiths to share about how the Company began as well as some world-renowned guest artists from International Gala of Stars to discuss their experiences with Company principal dancers Ye Feifei and Li Jiabo.

Odette, Odile & Me
Guests:
Dorothée Gilbert, Etoile of Paris Opera Ballet
Kondo Ako, Principal Artist of The Australian Ballet
Tan Yuanyuan, Principal Dancer of San Francisco Ballet
Ye Feifei, Principal Dancer of Hong Kong Ballet

WATCH

My Life as a Male Ballet Dancer
Guests:
Vitor Luiz, International Ballet Star; Former Principal Dancer of San Francisco Ballet
Osiel Gouneo, Principal Dancer of Bavarian State Ballet
Marcelo Gomes, International Ballet Star; Former Principal Dancer of American Ballet Theatre
Li Jiabo, Principal Dancer of Hong Kong Ballet

WATCH

Conversation with Hong Kong Ballet Founder Mary Griffiths
Guest: Mary Griffiths, one of the founders of Hong Kong Ballet

WATCH

2. Ballerina Chef

HKB dancers share their secret recipes and demonstrate their talent in the kitchen! From buying fresh food in the market to serving their favourite dishes on the table, our ballerina chefs will show us their creative cooking styles and how they eat healthy!

Nana's Kitchen
Featured dancers:
Nana Sakai, Member of Corps de Ballet of Hong Kong Ballet
Luis Cabrera, Coryphée of Hong Kong Ballet

WATCH

Li+Ma Kitchen
Featured dancers:
Li Lin, Principal Dancer of Hong Kong Ballet
Ma Renjie, Soloist of Hong Kong Ballet

WATCH

Ashleigh's Kitchen
Featured dancers:
Ashleigh Bennett, Member of Corps de Ballet of Hong Kong Ballet
Henry Seldon, Member of Corps de Ballet of Hong Kong Ballet

WATCH

3. Ballet 101

The Art of Pointe Shoes
Learn all about pointe shoes and ballet facts in a fun and entertaining way! HKB dancers demonstrate how they prepare and break in their new pointe shoes and answer the most frequently asked questions to uncover some myths about ballet.

Part I: WATCH
Part II: WATCH
Part III: WATCH

HK Ballet Game Show
Audiences can try guessing the answers while watching our competitive dancers face off! Combining fun, skills and knowledge, this series of game shows are suitable for both hardcore ballet fans and novices.

Challenge your ABCs ─ Animals, Balances & Companies
WATCH

Boys vs Girls
WATCH

Test your brain and muscles! 
WATCH

Ballet music battle ground!
WATCH

Charades with ballet
WATCH

Barre Classes Online

Take ballet classes at home using only a chair! Join HKB dancers Leung Saulong, Cheng Hei Lam Michelle, Ashleigh Bennett and Ballet Master Yuh Egami for a series of exciting online ballet barre classes. Exercise with elegant ballet choreography at Pre-Beginner, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels. Tune in and develop the grace to move beautifully!

Pre-Beginner Class
Teacher: Leung Saulong, Member of Corps de Ballet of Hong Kong Ballet
Featured dancers: Stella Chang, Alice Fung

1: WATCH
2: WATCH
3: WATCH

Beginner Class
Teacher: Cheng Hei Lam Michelle, Apprentice of Hong Kong Ballet
Featured dancers: Alice Fung, Lemuel Ma

1: WATCH
2: WATCH

Intermediate Class
Teacher: Ashleigh Bennett, Member of Corps de Ballet of Hong Kong Ballet
Featured dancers: Leung Sze Chai Cindy, Wong Yuet Tung Jasmine

1: WATCH
2: WATCH

Advanced Class
Teacher: Yuh Egami, Ballet Master of Hong Kong Ballet
Featured dancers: Zhang Xuening, Member of Corps de Ballet of Hong Kong Ballet; Ivana Wong

1: WATCH
2: WATCH

Barre Class with Ballet Master Luis R. Torres
Teacher: Luis R. Torres, Ballet Master of Hong Kong Ballet
Featured dancers: Chen Zhiyao, Principal Dancer of Hong Kong Ballet; Jackson Dwyer, Coryphée of Hong Kong Ballet

WATCH

Barre Class with Ballet Mistress Tang Min
Teacher: Tang Min, Ballet Mistress of Hong Kong Ballet
Featured dancers: Yang Ruiqi, Coryphée of Hong Kong Ballet; Garry Corpuz, Coryphée of Hong Kong Ballet

WATCH

Strengthening Class for Ballet Students
Teacher: Cheng Hei Lam Michelle, Apprentice of Hong Kong Ballet
Featured dancers: Kung Yin Ching, Pun Long Yin

WATCH

Elementary Barre Class for Kids
Teacher: Leung Saulong, Member of Corps de Ballet of Hong Kong Ballet
Featured dancers: Kung Yin Ching, Pun Long Yin

WATCH

HK Ballet x PUMA Ballet Workout Series

EP1
Teachers: Lai Pui Ki Peggy, Member of Corps de Ballet of Hong Kong Ballet; Yuen Ao Xin Hennes, Apprentice of Hong Kong Ballet
WATCH

EP2
Teacher: Leung Saulong, Member of Corps de Ballet of Hong Kong Ballet
Featured dancer: Chloe Kung
WATCH

Flashback Friday

Relax with excerpts of the HKB’s classic performances and other amazing videos. Be inspired by the artistic excellence of HKB dance artists!

World Ballet Day 2019 
WATCH

Hong Kong Ballet’s 40th Anniversary Video
WATCH

The Unheard Beat
WATCH

Interview with Artistic Director Septime Webre
Part 1: WATCH
Part 2: WATCH

2018/19 Season Brand Campaign Behind-the-scenes
WATCH

Hong Kong Ballet’s 35th Anniversary Video
WATCH

Highlights of Classical Ballets
WATCH

Highlights of Contemporary Ballets
WATCH

Highlights of New Story Ballets
WATCH

Highlights of The Great Gatsby
WATCH

Highlights of Contemporary Ballet II
WATCH

Highlights of Classical Ballets II
WATCH


Love from HKB
Our Ballet Master Yuh Egami brings together our dancers and members of the Artistic Team for a special #WorkFromHome performance, sending our love and greetings to all parts of the world through DANCE!
Director & Editing: Yuh Egami
Music: Mike Orange

WATCH

Appendix II: Short Films Co-presented with Corey Baker Dance

Spaghetti Junction

WATCH

Featured dancers:
Forrest Rain Oliveros, Member of Corps de Ballet of Hong Kong Ballet
Gus Payne and Haoliang Feng of Birmingham Royal Ballet

Lying Together

WATCH

Featured dancers:
Chen Zhiyao, Principal Dancer of Hong Kong Ballet
Amber Lewis, Coryphée of Hong Kong Ballet
Li Jiabo, Principal Dancer of Hong Kong Ballet
Ma Renjie, Soloist of Hong Kong Ballet
Forrest Rain Oliveros, Member of Corps de Ballet of Hong Kong Ballet
Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 1: HKBALLET@HOME | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 2: HKBALLET@HOME Barre Class Online - Pre-Beginner Class | From left: Leung Saulong, Member of Corps de Ballet of Hong Kong Ballet (Teacher); Stella Chang, Alice Fung (Dancers) | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 3: HKBALLET@HOME Barre Class Online - Beginner Class | From left: Alice Fung (Dancer); Cheng Hei Lam Michelle, Apprentice of Hong Kong Ballet (Teacher); Lemuel Ma (Dancer) | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 4: HKBALLET@HOME - Barre Class Online - Intermediate Class | From left: Ashleigh Bennett, Member of Corps de Ballet of Hong Kong Ballet (Teacher); Leung Sze Chai Cindy, Wong Yuet Tung Jasmine (Dancers) | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 5: HKBALLET@HOME - Barre Class Online - Advanced Class | From left: Zhang Xuening, Member of Corps de Ballet of Hong Kong Ballet; Ivana Wong (Dancers); Yuh Egami, Ballet Master of Hong Kong Ballet (Teacher) | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 6: HKBALLET@HOME - Barre Class Online - Barre Class with Ballet Master Luis R. Torres | From left: Luis R. Torres, Ballet Master of Hong Kong Ballet (Teacher); Jackson Dwyer, Coryphée of Hong Kong Ballet, Chen Zhiyao; Principal Dancer of Hong Kong Ballet (Dancers) | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 7: HKBALLET@HOME - Barre Class Online - Barre Class with Ballet Mistress Tang Min | From left: Garry Corpuz, Coryphée of Hong Kong Ballet; Yang Ruiqi, Coryphée of Hong Kong Ballet (Dancers); Tang Min, Ballet Mistress of Hong Kong Ballet (Teacher) | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 8: From left: Yuen Ao Xin Hennes, Apprentice of Hong Kong Ballet; Lai Pui Ki Peggy, Member of Corps de Ballet of Hong Kong Ballet; Leung Saulong, Member of Corps de Ballet of Hong Kong Ballet | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 9: HKBALLET@HOME Nana's Kitchen | From left: Nana Sakai, Member of Corps de Ballet; Luis Cabrera, Coryphée | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 10: HKBALLET@HOME Li+Ma Kitchen | From left: Li Lin, Principal Dancer of Hong Kong Ballet; Ma Renjie, Soloist of Hong Kong Ballet | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 11: HKBALLET@HOME Ashleigh's Kitchen | From left: Henry Seldon, Member of Corps de Ballet of Hong Kong Ballet; Ashleigh Bennett, Member of Corps de Ballet of Hong Kong Ballet | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 12: HKBALLET@HOME The Art of Pointe Shoes Part I | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 13: HKBALLET@HOME – HK Ballet Game Show - Challenge your ABCs ─ Animals, Balances & Companies | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 14: HKBALLET@HOME ballet-blah-blah-blah - Odette, Odile & Me | From left: Dorothée Gilbert, Etoile, Paris Opera Ballet; Kondo Ako, Principal Artist, The Australian Ballet; Tan Yuanyuan, Principal Dancer, San Francisco Ballet; Ye Feifei, Principal Dancer, Hong Kong Ballet; Septime Webre, Artistic Director, Hong Kong Ballet | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 15: HKBALLET@HOME Love from HKB | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 16: Spaghetti Junction | Credit: Corey Baker Dance

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Photo 17: Lying Together | Credit: Corey Baker Dance

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About Hong Kong Ballet

One of Asia’s premier ballet companies, Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) is internationally recognised as a vibrant arts institution that represents Hong Kong’s unique character. Established in 1979 and led by Artistic Director Septime Webre, HKB has a dynamic repertoire performed by nearly 50 dancers from all over the globe and award-winning education and community programmes.

With almost 50 international tours, the Company has won recognition from critics and fans both at home and abroad. Its diverse repertoire includes classic and modern masterpieces, original full-length ballets created for the Company, an interactive ballet series for younger fans and groundbreaking dance by today’s most sought-after choreographers, including Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, Jiří Kylian, Nacho Duato and Trey McIntyre, among others.

HKB maintains an active schedule of community initiatives throughout Hong Kong to ensure that ballet is accessible to people from all walks of life. 

For further information, please contact:

Nick Chan
Director of Marketing
T: (852) 2105 9716
M: (852) 9728 1777
[email protected]

Nichol Chau
Senior Marketing Officer
T: (852) 2105 9753
M: (852) 5632 1755
[email protected]

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