A dynamic ensemble of emerging young musicians from Hong Kong has embarked on a landmark West Coast tour of the United States, leveraging the universal language of music to build cross-community connections and deepen mutual cultural understanding between East and West.
Organized by the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), the HKAPA Nexus Ensemble brings together a select group of the institution’s most outstanding current music students and accomplished alumni. This multi-faceted U.S. tour blends formal public performances with immersive educational exchanges at leading higher education institutions, including the University of San Francisco and Los Angeles’ prestigious Colburn School.
Composer Karry Li, part of the touring group, explained the dual mission driving the project: “We hope to bring our music to both American and Chinese-American audiences across the West Coast, while also giving our young musicians the opportunity to visit leading conservatories and universities for interactive learning and peer-to-peer exchange.”
Beyond formal recitals, collaborative rehearsals, skill-building workshops and informal personal interactions have allowed young musicians from Hong Kong and the U.S. to discover shared passions and common ground that extends far beyond the concert stage. Claire Wong, a violist performing with the ensemble, noted that the time spent co-rehearsing with American music students evolved into a transformative cultural exchange experience.
“During those collaborative moments, we shared our diverse perspectives on music education, cultural traditions and everyday life. That open dialogue really helped us understand each other on a much deeper level,” Wong said.
On Monday, the ensemble headlined the Hong Kong Cultural Evening hosted at Los Angeles’ Chinese American Museum, where they presented a carefully curated program that seamlessly wove together canonical Western classical works and original compositions rooted in Hong Kong’s unique cultural identity. Standout pieces included *Over the Harbour*, a contemporary work inspired by the iconic, ever-shifting vistas of Victoria Harbour, alongside beloved Hong Kong classic *Below the Lion Rock*.
The tour also shone a spotlight on the longstanding, multifaceted ties between Hong Kong and the U.S. state of California. D.C. Cheung, director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco, used the event to share updates on Hong Kong’s evolving economic outlook while emphasizing how people-to-people cultural exchange lays the groundwork for broader cooperation.
“There is no surplus or deficit in sharing music — the more we share, the more we have,” Cheung said. “One small step in cultural exchange here in Los Angeles could lead to much larger cooperation in other fields down the line.”
For Los Angeles’ cultural institutions, the ensemble’s visit aligns with ongoing efforts to connect younger generations across borders through shared cultural heritage and global perspectives. Gay Yuen, board chair of the Friends of the Chinese American Museum, underscored the long-term value of cross-cultural youth exchanges like this tour.
“We are rooted in Chinese culture, and it’s important for young people to understand both their history and what is happening in the wider world,” Yuen said.