For over 28 years, Professor Gillian Choa has poured her heart and soul into nourishing not only new generations of performing artists who excel in their own art forms, but also visionaries with a passion for the creative arts and a global view. "I have regarded the Academy as my second home and family, and I wish to thank all those who have worked closely with me and those who came before me, without whom the Academy would not achieve the success it is today." as she muses on her deep connection with the Academy.
From Teacher to Trailblazer
Her journey at the Academy began as a Theatre and Film Designer and teacher, collaborating with passionate colleagues to cultivate a vibrant learning environment with a distinct creative voice. Over the years, with a focus on boosting the Academy's name and reputation while expanding opportunities for students, Professor Choa has always strived for excellence and quality in all her endeavours. This dedication led her to prominent roles including Dean of the School of Theatre and Entertainment Arts (TEA), Deputy Director and Provost, and ultimately the first female Director of this performing arts institution that ranks no. 1 in Asia for the past six years.
"I was quite daring you see!" Professor Choa reflects on her trailblazing journey, one with boundless enthusiasm and ambition. Aiming to expand students' exposure and allow them to learn from the best in their crafts, she bravely cold-called renowned artists from afar to conduct workshops at the Academy. From Jim Henson puppetry workshops, classes with acclaimed production designer Jeannine Oppewall and Hollywood special make-up artist Marvin Westmore, legendary Theatre Designer, Ralph Kotai, and a forum with Maestro Tan Dun, to bringing the biggest private collection of European historical costumes to exhibit at the Academy; these experiences were invaluable in students' learning journey. She also cherishes the tours to the Mainland and Europe and conferences with students, which provided them with unforgettable artistic exposure; and her many international connections that she maintained over the years, forging productive partnerships and alliances for the Academy.
Professor Choa was deeply involved, in different stages of her tenure, with the extension of undergraduate degree programmes to four years, launching of the degree programme of Chinese Opera, and the launch and design of Master's programmes, giving invaluable advice and support to all Schools; emphasising student- centred learning and outcome- based practices, boosting opportunities for students. Her efforts and rigorous standards have significantly bolstered the Academy's reputation, allowing it to flourish as a nurturing ground for local and international performing artists. The success and special commendation received for the Periodic Institutional Review of 2021 for the outstanding delivery of Quality Assurance Competency and Maturity at Organisational and Programme Area Level, is a testament to her expertise and confidence in leading the Academy. Furthermore, her proposal in 2020 to restructure the semester by providing four project weeks to enable interdisciplinary and independent studies and a new 4-year curriculum allowed Schools to rethink the needs of their students as the Academy moved into a new era of academic and strategic development under her directorship.
Transformations in resilience
Another significant milestone in Professor Choa's career was the restructuring of the School of TEA around 2015 as its Dean. This pivotal change laid the groundwork for developing Digital Media programmes, sparking a revolutionary shift in integrating media design and technology into performances. The significant government funding she successfully sought to initiate Arts Technology in TEA not only transformed the School, but also inspired other Schools to rethink their performances and curriculum. "It wasn't an easy transition and took considerable convincing at first," Professor Choa recounts. "However, when my faculty embraced the idea and walked with me, it became one of the best moments of my career. I believe we are still reaping the benefits of that rather brave move."
The pandemic posed extraordinary challenges to the Academy, and it takes one's courage, resilience and leadership to ride through the storms. "At the onset, none of us had experienced the unprecedented difficulties of how to maintain our stability and student learning when there were so many uncertainties," she recalls. "I was Deputy Director and Provost at the time and was determined to lead our staff and students out of these challenges with confidence and minimal disruption." Professor Choa was quick to mobilise faculty to adapt to online teaching while predicting the timeline for programme delivery, ensuring that students remained engaged and graduated with the skills and knowledge they needed despite the delays. The collective effort of her team during this trying time reinforced her belief in the power of collaboration and mutual respect.
Recognition through collaboration
The fact that the Academy has remained first in Asia in the QS World University Rankings despite the pandemic, is exemplified by her immense collaborative efforts in working with the senior management team, faculty, and students. "We are relatively young as an institution compared to those ranking higher than us in the world rankings. I take pride in our collective resilience and adaptability, the joy and satisfaction of succeeding together is indescribable. I am optimistic that even more remarkable accomplishments lie ahead as we progress along our strategic direction." Being a firm believer in "One Academy", she is proud to have worked hand-in-hand with all her colleagues to devise and launch the new 10-year Strategic Plan that will guide the Academy for the next decade towards impactful developments in internationalisation, transformative education, nurturing creative talent, inclusivity, sustainability, and advancement in technology and research; aiming for new heights in the next decade, ensuring that the Academy remains relevant and vital, as it celebrates its 40th anniversary this academic year.
Professor Choa's vision extends beyond the Academy. She is committed to fostering industry engagement and nurturing the next generation of cultural leaders. Her involvement with various charitable organisations, such as the Hong Kong Society for the Deaf, Zonta Club of Hong Kong, the HKJC Music and Dance Fund, Hong Chi Association, demonstrates her commitment to arts education and community service. In fact, as Chairperson of EXCEL, she led in the acquisition of a sizable 5-year community project and won a substantial donation from Lee Hysan Foundation.
A New Chapter Begins
Looking ahead, Professor Choa envisions continued contributions to the arts and educational sectors. "I don't really see myself stopping much!" she states. Her passion for serving underprivileged communities and mentoring aspiring artists remains unwavering. As she reflects on her nearly three decades of service to the Academy, "I feel fortunate to have been part of this remarkable journey and look forward to continuing my service to the community, contributing wherever I am needed in Hong Kong and the region." As she prepares for retirement at the end of 2024, she hopes to spend more time with her children and granddaughters while remaining active in her contribution to Hong Kong and its arts and cultural community.
Her final words to the young generation of future performing artists as she bids farewell to the Academy, "You must be committed to your dream of entering the world of performing arts. It is not easy, and those who succeed are those who have the confidence to devote themselves to something they truly love. You must have faith in working through major challenges in your career and not give up too easily. Your love for your art form will drive you through difficult times. Be kind. Kindness is not a weakness and often underestimated. This will be your strength."