The 2024 Hong Kong Ballet Ball TH Anniversary
The 2024 Hong Kong Ballet Ball TH Anniversary
Saturday, 5 October 2024
The Grand Ballroom
Rosewood Hong Kong
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIRMAN
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 2024 Hong Kong Ballet Ball – 45th Anniversary Sapphire Soirée.
In 1979, Hong Kong Ballet began as a modest school with just three students practising in an outdoor playground. Over the past 45 years, we have grown from these humble beginnings into a cultural beacon, championing “Ballet for All” and sharing Hong Kong’s unique stories with the world.
As we come together tonight for this Sapphire Anniversary, let us celebrate the many milestones we have reached and look to the future with hope and ambition.
This year, we are renaming our HKBALLET | WORKSHOPS programme to “The Hong Kong Academy of Ballet,” honouring the name we began with in 1979, as we aspire to become one of Asia’s leading ballet training centres for professional dancers. As ambitious as this goal may be, I am confident that we will reach it with your unwavering support, which has opened door after door of possibilities for us in the past.
Thank you to my Co-chair Liana and the board members, especially Maya, for providing a lot of valuable advice for the previous balls.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you, especially to our Lead Sponsor, Chopard, for their exceptional support this evening. With your continued partnership, I am confident that Hong Kong Ballet will go on to be a true dreammaker.
I wish you all a delightful evening.
Daisy Ho, BBS
Photo by A a Chan for Tatler Hong Kong
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Good evening, and welcome to this very special celebration as we commemorate 45 remarkable years of artistic excellence with so many individuals and companies who have played an integral role in our journey.
Forty-five years ago, a small group of passionate individuals came together with a vision to share the joy of ballet in Hong Kong and to make a di erence in our community. Tonight at the 2024 Hong Kong Ballet Ball, we proudly reflect on the incredible milestones we have achieved together. From our humble beginnings to the expansive worldwide reach we have today, each step of this journey has been fueled by your dedicated support. It’s an incredible feeling to know that I am part of this amazing adventure with you!
As we look to the future, Hong Kong Ballet’s next chapter is filled with exciting possibilities. Together, we can continue to expand our reach, enhance our programmes and inspire even more individuals to join us. Thank you for being here with us tonight and for believing in our mission. It is your support that has allowed us to continue performing, innovating and adapting to the ever-changing needs of our community.
Here’s to many more years of Hong Kong Ballet!
Septime Webre
ABOUT HONG KONG BALLET
Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) is recognised internationally as a world-class institution that represents Hong Kong's unique character. Since its inception in 1979, HKB has evolved into a vibrant performing arts organisation with a dynamic repertoire, forward-thinking community engagement initiatives and an emphasis on excellence.
Comprised of 50 dancers from all over the globe – Hong Kong, Mainland China and other parts of Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America, HKB has won recognition both regionally and internationally. With celebrated re-stagings of the classics, neoclassical masterworks by George Balanchine and others and original ballets created for HKB and about Hong Kong. Additionally, HKB performs works by some of today’s most sought-after choreographers, including Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, Wayne McGregor, Justin Peck, Jiří Kylian, Nacho Duato and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa as well as innovative new works by its Choreographer-in-Residence, Hu Song-wei Ricky, and numerous emerging Hong Kong choreographers.
With almost 50 tours to 11 countries, HKB has recently toured throughout Europe, the US and Asia and places a special emphasis on representing Hong Kong in Mainland China and the West. HKB maintains the newly renamed Hong Kong Academy of Ballet, a professionally-oriented ballet school, as well as a full schedule of award-winning community programmes and crossover collaborations throughout Hong Kong to ensure ballet is accessible to all. HKB has also produced engaging original videos and dance films that have collectively garnered over 10 million views online, connecting with ballet lovers worldwide.
HONG KONG BALLET THE BOARD AND COMMITTEES*
HONORARY PATRON
Mrs Janet Lee
CHAIRMAN
Ms Daisy Ho, BBS
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Ms Linda Fung (Vice-chairman)
Mrs Mira Yeh (Vice-chairman)
Mr Arthur Minshiang Wang (Treasurer)
Mrs Janice Chan-Choy
Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng
Ms Maya Lin
Mrs Cherry Tse Ling Kit-ching, GBS, JP
Ms Evonne Tsui
Mrs Liana Yung Yeung
CHAIRMEN EMERITI
Mrs Cissy Pao Watari, BBS
Mr John Je rey Ying
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Ms Daisy Ho, BBS (Chairman)
Ms Linda Fung
Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng
Mr Arthur Minshiang Wang
Mrs Mira Yeh
HONG KONG BALLET THE BOARD AND COMMITTEES*
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Mr Arthur Minshiang Wang (Chairman)
Ms Daisy Ho, BBS
Mrs Janice Chan-Choy
Ms Linda Fung
PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
Ms Linda Fung (Chairman)
Ms Lindzay Chan
Ms Flora Zeta Cheong-leen, Dr h.c.
Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng
Mr Arthur Minshiang Wang
Dr Eden Woon, JP
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Ms Daisy Ho, BBS (Co-chair)
Mrs Mira Yeh (Co-chair)
Mrs Janice Chan-Choy
Mrs Leigh Tung Chou
Ms Maya Lin
Mrs Anne Wang Liu
Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng
Mr Arthur Minshiang Wang
Mrs Daphne King Yao
Mrs Connie Wei Yang
Mrs Liana Yung Yeung
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
Ms Daisy Ho, BBS (Chairman)
Mr Arthur Minshiang Wang
Mrs Liana Yung Yeung
HONG KONG BALLET THE BOARD AND COMMITTEES*
HONORARY ADVISORS
Ms Feng Ying
Mrs Christine Liao
Mr Kevin McKenzie
Mr Kevin O’Hare
Ms Madeleine Onne
Ms Jean M. Wong, BBS
Sir Peter Wright, CBE
Ms Zhao Ruheng
FOUNDERS
Mrs Mary Gri ths
Ms Kay-Cecile Jones
Ms Paula Lau
THE HONG KONG BALLET GUILD 2024／25
Mrs Michelle Miller Erb (Co-chair)
Mrs Lillian Lee Fong (Co-chair)
Mrs Emily Lam Ho, JP (Co-chair)
Mrs Emelda Wong Trainor (Co-chair)
PRINCIPAL GUILD
Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng
Ms Desiree Woo
SOLOIST GUILD
Prof Ava Kwong
Ms Jolene Lin
Ms Maya Lin
Ms Edna Wong
Ms LeighAnne Zhu
CORYPHÉE GUILD
Ms Megan Chang
Ms Michelle Chen
Ms Jennifer Cheung
Mrs Ariel Shtarkman Ghitis
Ms Annick Gnock
Mrs Annie Ha
Mrs Ahana Kothari
Mrs Alicia Tan Ku
Mrs Rachel Qingqing Kwok
Mrs Veronica Shih Lam
Ms Adrienne Li
Mrs Christy Liang
Mrs Elaine Lu Lim
Mrs Megha Mehta
Mrs Charlotte Tsuei-Robinson
Mrs Charmaine Lee Yeung
Mrs Alicia Bonilla Wieser
Mrs Elaine Lui Wong
CORPS DE BALLET GUILD
Mrs Carmen Choi Ahn
Ms Jasmine Fok
Ms Janet Hung
Ms Bonita Lam
Ms Jennifer Ann Lee
Mrs Dervla Louli Musgrave
Mrs Shan Cie Fok
Mrs Candace Sohmen
Ms Wendy Wong Dick Yee
Ms Mia Xu
Under the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Art Development Matching Grants Scheme, your contribution to Hong Kong Ballet will now be matched, dollar for dollar, regardless of the amount.* Whether it’s a donation to our Student Ticket Fund or sponsoring a production your support will double both in size and impact, fueling our work in enriching Hong Kong’s cultural life.
透過香港特區政府的藝術發展配對資助計劃，您對香港芭蕾舞團的捐款和贊助，無論款項大小，即時雙倍增加！*
LEAD SPONSOR
THE 2024 HONG KONG BALLET BALL PROGRAMME
6:30PM Cocktail Reception
7:15PM Ballroom Opens
7:30PM
Hong Kong Ballet Performance Tutu Academy
7:35PM Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Moment
7:45PM Speeches Presentation of Souvenir
8:05PM
Hong Kong Ballet Performance Sapphire Ballerina and O cer
8:50PM
Hong Kong Ballet Performance
Sneak Peek: Dream Pas de Deux from The Butterfly Lovers
9:30PM Live Auction
9:50PM
Hong Kong Ballet Performance Caterpillar
10:15PM Ball Ends
Master of Ceremonies: Mr Peter Cheung Auctioneer: Miss Audrey Lee
*Programme subject to change
THE 2024 HONG KONG BALLET BALL PERFORMANCES
Tutu Academy
In this joyful dance celebrating Hong Kong Ballet’s 45th Anniversary, an alien unexpectedly finds acceptance and happiness through the universal language of ballet.
Choreographed by Septime Webre
Music by Johann Strauss II
Performed by Hong Kong Ballet Dancers
Sapphire Ballerina and Officer
A study in pristine classicism filtered through a sapphire lens.
Choreographed by Septime Webre
Music by Matthew Pierce
Performed by Zou Mengjie and Gouta Seki
*Cast lists subject to change
THE 2024 HONG KONG BALLET BALL PERFORMANCES
Sneak Peek: Dream Pas de Deux from HKB’s Upcoming World Premiere of The Butterfly Lovers
Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai visit each other in an evocative dream.
Choreographed by Ricky Hu and Mai Jing Wen
Music by Tian Mi (inspired by He Zhanhao and Chen Gang’s The Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto)
Performed by Yang Ruiqi and Yonen Takano
Caterpillar
The cerulean blue caterpillar mesmerizes Alice with her insights on life.
Choreographed by Septime Webre
Music by Matthew Pierce
Performed by Lai Nok Sze Vanessa, Basil James, Gouta Seki, Kai Kanzaki, Jeremy Power, Luis Cabrera
*Cast lists subject to change
THE 2024 HONG KONG BALLET BALL PLATINUM PATRONS
ANONYMOUS
HAIMAI TONGHENG (HONG KONG) CO., LIMITED
MS DAISY HO, BBS
HONG KONG BALLET GUILD AND CHRISTMAS BENEFIT CO-CHAIRS
MR & MRS MIRA AND V NEE YEH
MRS LIANA YUNG YEUNG
THE 2024 HONG KONG BALLET BALL GOLD PATRONS
MRS ANNE WANG LIU AND MRS LEIGH TUNG CHOU
MS DAISY HO, BBS
MR & MRS SHERMAN TANG AND MR & MRS NORMAN HO
MRS JANICE CHAN-CHOY AND MRS CHRISTY LIANG
NG TENG FONG CHARITABLE FOUNDATION LIMITED
MS LINDZAY CHAN, MS LINDA FUNG, MRS DEIRDRE FU TCHENG AND MS EVONNE TSUI
THE 2024 HONG KONG BALLET BALL
SILVER PATRONS
BLOOMBERG
GOLDEN BAUHINIA WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR ASSOCIATION
MR DAVID LAU
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD
MR JUSTIN D'AGOSTINO MH AND MR KC YEO
MR ALEXANDER K K YEUNG
MR EDWARD YEUNG
MS CHEUNG CHI SHAN SANDY
MS MICHELLE GARNAUT
MR OLLE WENNERDAHL AND MRS ALICIA TAN KU
MR JOHN LUI AND MRS STEPHANIE LUI
MR MIKE TUNG AND MRS SAMANTHA TUNG
MISS DEBORAH WU
MR WILLIAM CHU AND MRS SNOWY CHU
MR JUSTIN KOO AND MRS MELLISSA KOO
MR HOWARD KU AND MRS WINKIE KU
MS ANGELA MCKAY
MR RAYMOND WONG
THE 2024 HONG KONG BALLET BALL DONORS
ANNA PAO SOHMEN FOUNDATION
DR HENRY HIN LEE CHAN
MR WILLIAM CHU AND MRS SNOWY CHU
MS CHRISTINE CHUANG
GAW CAPITAL ADVISORS
MRS ANNE AND MR JOHN WITT
MR HOWARD YEUNG
MR & MRS KEVIN K YIP
THE 2024 HONG KONG BALLET BALL PARTNERS
CHAMPAGNE PARTNER
PERRIER-JOUËT CHAMPAGNE
LUXURY LIFESTYLE ENGLISH
MEDIA PARTNER
TATLER HONG KONG
CHINESE
MEDIA PARTNER
VOGUE HONG KONG
AUCTION PARTNER
CHRISTIE'S
PLATINUM PATRONS
With the compliments of ANONYMOUS
With the compliments of
Haimai Tongheng (Hong Kong) Co., Limited
With the compliments of Ms Daisy Ho, BBS
With the compliments of Hong Kong Ballet Guild and Christmas Benefit Co-Chairs
With the compliments of Mr & Mrs Mira and V Nee Yeh
With the compliments of Mrs
Liana Yung Yeung
GOLD PATRONS
With the compliments of Mrs Anne Wang Liu and Mrs Leigh Tung-Chou
With the compliments of Ms Daisy Ho, BBS
With the compliments of Mr & Mrs Sherman Tang and Mr & Mrs Norman Ho
With the compliments of Mrs Janice Chan-Choy and Mrs Christy Liang
With the compliments of Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation
With the compliments of Ms Lindzay Chan, Ms Linda Fung, Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng and Ms Evonne Tsui
DONORS
With the compliments of Anna Pao Sohmen Foundation
With
the compliments of
Dr Henry Hin Lee Chan
With the compliments of
Mr & Mrs Kevin K Yip
PARTNERS
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
LEAD SPONSOR
CHAMPAGNE PARTNER
LUXURY LIFESTYLE ENGLISH
MEDIA PARTNER CHINESE
MEDIA PARTNER
AUCTION PARTNER
HONG KONG BALLET
ARTISTIC MEMBERS AND DANCERS
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Septime Webre
CHOREOGRAPHER-IN-RESIDENCE
Hu Song Wei Ricky
BALLET MASTER
Yuh Egami
BALLET MASTER
Luis R. Torres
CHIEF REPRESENTATIVE, MAINLAND, CHINA
Tang Min
PIANIST
Nicholas Lau
PRINCIPAL DANCERS
Xuan Cheng
Wang Qingxin
Yang Ruiqi
Ye Feifei
Garry Corpuz
Shen Jie
Yonen Takano
Wei Wei
SOLOISTS
Jessica Burrows
Gao Ge
Kim Eunsil
Nana Sakai
Albert Gordon
Ryo Kato
Ma Renjie
Jonathan Spigner
CORYPHÉES
Lai Nok Sze Vanessa
Lai Pui Ki Peggy
Zhang Xuening
Luis Cabrera
Jeremy Chan
Basil James
Kai Kanzaki
Leung Chunlong
Gouta Seki
Henry Seldon
Wang Zi
CORPS DE BALLET
Ashleigh Bennett
Chen Yunshi
Choi Jayeon
Lai Pengxiang
Leung Saulong
Leung Sze Chai Cindy
Larissa Li
Liang Wanting
Loo Suet Ying Zoe
Natalie Lu
Sun Jia
Teng Ronger
Wang Yueh Erica Xu Shentian
Yao Zhenyuan
Yuen Ao Xin Hennes
Zhu Jiaying
Zou Mengjie
Kent Eguchi
Rio Fukunaga
Kan Ka Kit Jordan
Li Yaze
Jeremy Power
James Yan
APPRENTICE
Wan Ho Yee Chloe
HONG KONG BALLET MANAGEMENT AND STAFF
ARTISTIC TEAM
Artistic Director
Septime Webre
Company & Special Project Manager
Sarita Chan
Executive Assistant to Artistic Director
Adrienne Chen
Artistic Administrative Assistant
Adora Cheung
Physiotherapist
Eleanor Ngan Kee
Physiotherapist
Upekha Senaweera
Company Wellness Counselor
Melody Fung
Senior Programme Manager
Caroline Cheung
Communications & Programme Manager
Jerry Qiu
Assistant Programme Manager
Ti any Tang
Programme O cer
June Lau
Head of Technical and Stage Management
Thomas Leung
Production Manager
Martin Leung
Stage Manager
Xyrus Wan
Stage Manager
Jess Cheung
Assistant Stage Manager
Man Kwong
Technician
Jane Tai
Director of Wardrobe
Joanne Chong
Wardrobe Supervisor
Stephenie Chan
Wardrobe O cer
Aria Leung
Project Coordinator, Wardrobe
Polam Wong
Seamstress
Yao Yao
Associate Director of Training
Irene Lo
Senior Academy Teacher
Yonglin Liang
Academy Teacher
Di Wu
Junior Workshop Teacher
Dawnie Kwok
Deputy Academy Manager
Annika Li
Workshop O cer
Sarah Lui
Academy O cer
Cathy Chan
ADMINISTRATION TEAM
Executive Director
Heidi Lee
Executive Secretary to Executive Director
Elaine Lo
Company O ce Manager
Winnie Su
Senior Administrative O cer
Stephen Chan
Receptionist Cum Administrative Assistant
Macy Chan
O ce Assistant
Flora Hau
Creative Video & Media Director
Anndreas Guzman
Video Editor
Justin Ho
Director of Development
Raymond Yeung
Development Manager
Abby Ho
Development Manager
Sarah Tong
Project Manager
Kimberly Kwan
Senior Development O cer
Vincent Lam
Development O cer
Sam Chung
Project O cer
Crystal Pang
Senior Education & Community Outreach Manager
Vency Kwok
Senior Education & Community Outreach O cer
Albee Hung
Education & Community Outreach O cer
Michelle Cheng
Head of Finance & HR
Joey Cheng
Accounting Manager
Shirley Kwan
Accounting O cer
Dily Lee
Accounting O cer
Jennifer Tang
Human Resources Manager
Timmie Yeung
Senior Human Resources O cer
Yuki Wong
Human Resources O cer
Natalie Choi
Director of Marketing
Alexia Chow
Marketing and Outreach Manager
Eunice Ho
Assistant Marketing Manager
Anson Ho
Assistant Marketing and PR Manager
Ruth Chung
Marketing O cer
Mei Wu
Marketing Assistant
Zoe Ng
Editor
Valerie Cheung Koo
Wonder and enchantment await at Hong Kong Ballet’s 45th Anniversary Sapphire Soirée!