The first five years

The MDI was founded in Hong Kong in year September 2000 with the support of prominent businessmen, lawyers, bankers, educators and performing artists with a vested interest in the development of the performing arts scene in the Asia Pacific Region. It was clearly understood that the success of a performing arts organization guided by a long-term vision had potential to offer a valuable contribution to local community and the region.

Within 6 months, the first student performance was launched at Hong Kong City Hall, soon to be followed by student performances in The European Intercultural Festival, and several students won prizes in Speech, Music, and Drama performances in local competitions. Under our Artist Employment Scheme, we provided elegant musical entertainment for The Consulate of Oman at The Dinner for The Consul Generals of Asia.

From 2002 The MDI became increasingly involved in high profile events such as the Gala Performance for 600 VIP-guests in the Grand Hyatt Ballroom for Rolls Royce including pianist David Knowles, and former vocal student of Dr. Anthony, Yuki Ip Po-Ching. Dr. Derek Anthony performed with The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra as a visiting artist in Barab's 'Little Red Riding Hood' in the role of 'The Big Bad Wolf' entertaining 2000 children. No less important from an educational point of view; our youngest local student, only seven years old, was able to take first prize in English poetry reading! Our first in-house student concert, under the leadership of Jeremy Williams from The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, featured twenty violin & viola students to a full house.

During 2002, The Institute moved into new, spacious facilities in Dotcom House in Wellington Street, creating a virtual cultural center in the heart of Hong Kong, including a new Performing Arts Library and a Recital Hall. We were also particularly proud to be able to welcome one of Hong Kong's most respected cellists, Richard Bamping, into our team of artist-teachers.

2003 was an exceptionally difficult year for Hong Kong, especially with the outbreak of SARS. During this period of hopelessness and uncertainty, The MDI, provided positive hope by posting a daily prediction, (based on probability calculations), to all its visitors about the time remaining before the SARS epidemic would be likely to subside. The prediction turned out to be accurate within a few days of the end of the epidemic, and helped to lift people's spirits during difficult times.

On the 911 Anniversary arranged by The American Chamber of Commerce, The MDI contributed with a vocal performance to an audience consisting of the top officials of the Hong Kong Government and to diplomats from 100 countries of the World.

The rest of the year saw an even greater increase in student numbers, new artist-teachers joined our staff, including Angelo Rapan from Romania, and Tim Wilson from USA. There were performances at The Arts Center and Government House sponsored by Cathay Pacific supporting the Life Education Activity Program (LEAP), performances at City Hall, including Covent Garden soprano Alison Pearce together with The City Chamber Orchestra. It was also the beginning of holding overseas examinations on the premises of The Institute, and some of our artist-teachers gave master-classes in South Korea and Japan. Former vocal students of Dr. Anthony, the promising young tenor Alex Tam Tin-Lok entered the opera program of the Royal Academy of Music, and soprano Yuki Ip Po-Ching performed in 'Carmen' in Singapore.

2004 began with the collaboration with The Chinese University of Hong Kong for its 40th Anniversary performance, by providing the baritone solo for Beethoven's 9th Symphony. The MDI began offering courses in German and Italian designed specifically for Chinese speaking singers, and the level of overseas examinations was upgraded to Diploma level for voice and all instruments. We also launched a new web-site, and expanded our course offerings to include all string and woodwind instruments, and classical guitar. Again, we were pleased to welcome several new excellent artist-teachers into our group, including Andrew Simon from USA, Huang Zheng from China, guitarist Alan Welsh from Australia, and Hong Kong born artist Norman Lee, with over 20 years of overseas experience as a pianist overseas. Soprano Yuki Ip Po-Ching, performed in Humperdinck's opera 'Haensel und Gretel' in Singapore.

2004 has already been an exciting year at The MDI, and in 2005 we will mark the 5th Anniversary of The Music & Drama Institute in a number of ways.

Please return to The MDI Home page and The MDI Newsletter again for updates.

Our students, teachers and visiting artists, past and present come from all over the globe.