Shaping dance education in Hong Kong: Irene Lo’s role as an ATAP Tutor 

The Royal Ballet School’s Affiliate Training and Assessment Programme (ATAP) continues to empower dance teachers worldwide, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to inspire the next generation of dancers. One of our dedicated ATAP Tutors, Irene Lo, brings a wealth of experience to the programme, having built a career in both professional performance and dance education. Now Associate Director of Training at The Hong Kong Academy of Ballet, Irene shares her journey, her passion for teaching, and her insights into why the Affiliate Programme is so valuable.  

Can you tell me about your background in ballet and what led you to becoming Associate Director of Training at The Hong Kong Academy of Ballet?   

I was a member of Hong Kong Ballet for over a decade, and was promoted from corps de ballet to coryphée during this time. In 2007, I left Hong Kong Ballet to become a teaching artist. I taught for Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) full-time and youth programme, gave company classes at the City Contemporary Dance Company and Hong Kong Dance, and worked with Hong Kong Ballet’s educational programme and as a rehearsal mistress for children performing in Hong Kong Ballet productions. I have been a guest teach in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Macau for the past decade and worked as a performer for different projects and companies, including drama, musical dance, film projects and contemporary work. 

I am currently the Associate Director of Training for Hong Kong Ballet’s Classical Ballet Training Programme and a part-time faculty member at HKAPA. In 2022, I obtained a Master of Fine Arts in Dance with distinction at HKAPA with a full scholarship from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund. 

How did you come to be involved in our Affiliate Training and Assessment Programme?  

I was introduced to the programme by one of my former colleagues in Hong Kong Ballet, Ms Sasa Chow, who works at The Royal Ballet School. I remember first getting to know the teaching philosophy of the School in 2018 at an Inspire seminar in Hong Kong, and I was amazed by the knowledge that Mark Annear and Karen Berry shared.  

I was interested to know more about it and enhance my knowledge of children’s dance education, which I believe enriches my knowledge on developing my teaching skill and method to work with young people.  

What does your role as a tutor involve?  

My role is to understand the programme well and help to deliver the course in both online seminars and intensive training. As a tutor from Asia Pacific, I can also help promote and deliver the programme in the Asia Pacific area, and I hope that we can use our experience to introduce this programme to our friends, teachers, and students.   

What do you enjoy most about being a tutor for the Affiliate Programme?  

The most enjoyable thing is spending time with teachers in the studio and seeing everyone so passionate to learn. They are all experienced teachers and are reversing to become students again. The time shared with each teacher at the end of the course is so touching, as they reflect on their teaching life and discovering their new goals, the studio is filled with hope and love and it is always memorable and precious.  

Learning is always enjoyable. As an Affiliate Tutor, I also learn at every moment during my revision and preparation to deliver the presentation and class. I learn from all the teachers who participate in the programme through our discussions, reflections, task presentations, and feedback sessions. I am always surprised to see how differently we all look at things; it is refreshing and rewarding how your perspective can develop.   

Why do you think the Affiliate Programme is so beneficial for dance teachers?  

It gives us a chance as dance teachers to change roles, look into ourselves, refresh our minds, and reflect on our teaching style in class. It is an opportunity to explore and discover different teaching methods and skills, sharpen and enhance our teaching skills and knowledge, understand the needs of young dancers, understand the philosophy behind the ATAP programme, and allow us to think deeper about our teaching. Also, it is a great chance to meet teachers from all over the world who are passionate about teaching and to exchange ideas and thoughts.  

What would you say to Hong Kong ballet teachers that are considering applying for our Affiliate Programme?  

Just go for it! You will only know and learn when you are in the programme, experiencing it in person.  

Applications are now open to join the Affiliate Training and Assessment Programme in Hong Kong. This year, we will be running the one-week in-person course at Hong Kong Ballet studios from Monday 25 to Friday 29 August 2025, followed by a series of online training sessions.  

Don’t miss the only chance this year to join the next cohort of passionate Affiliate teachers revolutionising dance education.   

If you have a question or want to find out more about the application process, join our free online Q&A session on Thursday 27 March 2025, 15.00 GMT. 

Applications close Monday 14 April 2025 – apply now. 

Our Training Hub in Hong Kong is generously supported by The Croucher Hong Kong Charitable Trust.