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Alumni Stories
Christy LAW Chi Yan
Class of 2009; currently Assistant Manager, Cultural Management Office, HKU
“The Music Department was a bridge between my passion and my career. Its comprehensive curriculum provided me with a thought-provoking understanding of a wide variety of music styles and cultures, thereby laid a solid foundation for me to pursue a management career in music. Performing experiences with the University Choir and University Gamelan not only nurtured my confidence and enhanced my musicianship, but also made me understand what “teamwork” means in music making. Throughout my undergraduate years, under the guidance of the Department’s then Concert Manager, I also had the opportunity to assist the Department’s vibrant Concert Series, through which I was inspired to choose the career path of arts management. Had I not studied at the Music Department, I probably would not have had a job that coincides with my passion.”
Class of 2009; currently Assistant Manager, Cultural Management Office, HKU
“The Music Department was a bridge between my passion and my career. Its comprehensive curriculum provided me with a thought-provoking understanding of a wide variety of music styles and cultures, thereby laid a solid foundation for me to pursue a management career in music. Performing experiences with the University Choir and University Gamelan not only nurtured my confidence and enhanced my musicianship, but also made me understand what “teamwork” means in music making. Throughout my undergraduate years, under the guidance of the Department’s then Concert Manager, I also had the opportunity to assist the Department’s vibrant Concert Series, through which I was inspired to choose the career path of arts management. Had I not studied at the Music Department, I probably would not have had a job that coincides with my passion.”
Edwin LI Ka Chi
Class of 2016; currently PhD candidate in Music Theory at Harvard University
“My undergraduate studies at the Music Department was a transformative journey. I can still vividly recall that I had no prior knowledge of music theory whatsoever when first took a music course at HKU, because I had intended to study law. However, what the Department offered was beyond textbook knowledge – but the eagerness to learn, the humility for knowledge, and most importantly, the endless passion for music. In my freshman and sophomore years, I was profoundly intrigued by the interaction between music theory and history, and that sparked my interest in the history of music theory in the nineteenth century. I also took advantage of the opportunity at the Department to learn a new instrument—the violin—to broaden my practical skills. As a conductor, I had the opportunity to work with students from other disciplines in a percussion ensemble. Multiple research opportunities highlighted my junior and senior years. I had the privilege to work individually with Dr. Youn Kim and Prof. Daniel Chua, both of them inspired and enlightened me to be a musician-academic. After more than three years of studies in the department of music, I have turned from a know-nothing to another know-nothing: the more I learn, the less I know.”
Class of 2016; currently PhD candidate in Music Theory at Harvard University
“My undergraduate studies at the Music Department was a transformative journey. I can still vividly recall that I had no prior knowledge of music theory whatsoever when first took a music course at HKU, because I had intended to study law. However, what the Department offered was beyond textbook knowledge – but the eagerness to learn, the humility for knowledge, and most importantly, the endless passion for music. In my freshman and sophomore years, I was profoundly intrigued by the interaction between music theory and history, and that sparked my interest in the history of music theory in the nineteenth century. I also took advantage of the opportunity at the Department to learn a new instrument—the violin—to broaden my practical skills. As a conductor, I had the opportunity to work with students from other disciplines in a percussion ensemble. Multiple research opportunities highlighted my junior and senior years. I had the privilege to work individually with Dr. Youn Kim and Prof. Daniel Chua, both of them inspired and enlightened me to be a musician-academic. After more than three years of studies in the department of music, I have turned from a know-nothing to another know-nothing: the more I learn, the less I know.”
Daniel LO Ting Cheung
Class of 2009; 2012 MPhil in Composition, HKU; 2013 Hong Kong Jockey Club Music Scholarship Awardee; 2017 PhD in Music Composition, University of York
“The journey of a thousand li starts with a step 千里之行始於足下. I am glad that I have taken that step and taken it at the Music Department. No words can fully express how much I appreciate the experience of studying music in the Music Department where I have spent five extremely fruitful years. When I decided to switch from a chemistry-major to a music freshman, I had the faintest idea of what is involved in the arduous process of writing music. It would have been totally impossible for me to have come to this point in my development as a composer without the patient guidance of the professors and teachers in this Department. They always allow me to be myself, and to roam and explore at my own pace. They never impose their personal tastes or views on me, but when they do share their thoughts, the comments are always insightful and hugely inspiring.
"What I appreciate most about the HKU music department is its willingness to accept students from diverse backgrounds, creating a free, open and pluralistic learning environment. In a music class, you would often find a student who’s passionate about Western classics and yet another who loves pop music. The one common factor that brings them together is a genuine interest in music and a keen desire to learn more about it. In the heterogeneous society of today, it’s important that we learn how to respect people from diverse backgrounds and to embrace differences.”
Class of 2009; 2012 MPhil in Composition, HKU; 2013 Hong Kong Jockey Club Music Scholarship Awardee; 2017 PhD in Music Composition, University of York
“The journey of a thousand li starts with a step 千里之行始於足下. I am glad that I have taken that step and taken it at the Music Department. No words can fully express how much I appreciate the experience of studying music in the Music Department where I have spent five extremely fruitful years. When I decided to switch from a chemistry-major to a music freshman, I had the faintest idea of what is involved in the arduous process of writing music. It would have been totally impossible for me to have come to this point in my development as a composer without the patient guidance of the professors and teachers in this Department. They always allow me to be myself, and to roam and explore at my own pace. They never impose their personal tastes or views on me, but when they do share their thoughts, the comments are always insightful and hugely inspiring.
"What I appreciate most about the HKU music department is its willingness to accept students from diverse backgrounds, creating a free, open and pluralistic learning environment. In a music class, you would often find a student who’s passionate about Western classics and yet another who loves pop music. The one common factor that brings them together is a genuine interest in music and a keen desire to learn more about it. In the heterogeneous society of today, it’s important that we learn how to respect people from diverse backgrounds and to embrace differences.”
Amy TAI Ming Wai
Class of 2015; currently PhD candidate in Music Theory at Yale University
“The music curriculum at HKU is comprehensive, but also very flexible, allowing students to combine courses in a way that suits their intellectual and artistic pursuits. In my case, a combination of harmony, counterpoint and analytical courses inspired me to pursue graduate study in music theory. But a good curriculum alone is not enough for making a musician and scholar; what is great about the Music Department is the amount of attention and care the students receive. One of the most memorable and fruitful experiences in my academic life is working on my individual research projects in Directed Study. Completing these projects one-on-one with a supervisor, working on not just the content of the essays but also writing and research techniques, helped significantly in preparing me to become a graduate student. The knowledge and critical thinking skills I gained from HKU has benefitted—and will benefit—every stage of my academic career.”
Class of 2015; currently PhD candidate in Music Theory at Yale University
“The music curriculum at HKU is comprehensive, but also very flexible, allowing students to combine courses in a way that suits their intellectual and artistic pursuits. In my case, a combination of harmony, counterpoint and analytical courses inspired me to pursue graduate study in music theory. But a good curriculum alone is not enough for making a musician and scholar; what is great about the Music Department is the amount of attention and care the students receive. One of the most memorable and fruitful experiences in my academic life is working on my individual research projects in Directed Study. Completing these projects one-on-one with a supervisor, working on not just the content of the essays but also writing and research techniques, helped significantly in preparing me to become a graduate student. The knowledge and critical thinking skills I gained from HKU has benefitted—and will benefit—every stage of my academic career.”
Grammy YEUNG Ching Ho
Class of 2019; 2019 Hong Kong Jockey Club Music Scholarship Awardee; currently Master of Music candidate in guzheng performance at Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
“I am proud to be a graduate of the Music Department. And what I appreciate the most about the Department is its diverse curriculum, which allows students of different backgrounds and interests to tailor a programme that suits their needs and fits their profile. Within my four-year study, the Advanced Music Performance courses not only allowed me to study with a number of eminent guzheng masters, but also granted me the opportunities to perform publicly on a wide array of occasions. The most unforgettable experience for me is undoubtedly to have shared stage with top-notched musicians such as the world-renowned cellist Mr. Trey Lee. My four-year study at HKU Music provides a solid foundation for me to be a better performer.”
Class of 2019; 2019 Hong Kong Jockey Club Music Scholarship Awardee; currently Master of Music candidate in guzheng performance at Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
“I am proud to be a graduate of the Music Department. And what I appreciate the most about the Department is its diverse curriculum, which allows students of different backgrounds and interests to tailor a programme that suits their needs and fits their profile. Within my four-year study, the Advanced Music Performance courses not only allowed me to study with a number of eminent guzheng masters, but also granted me the opportunities to perform publicly on a wide array of occasions. The most unforgettable experience for me is undoubtedly to have shared stage with top-notched musicians such as the world-renowned cellist Mr. Trey Lee. My four-year study at HKU Music provides a solid foundation for me to be a better performer.”