Woo Pak-tuen

Graduated in 2012, Rupert Woo was the first Master in Conducting of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA). In the Second International Conducting Competition for Chinese Music, Rupert won Second Prize as well as the Outstanding Young Conductor in Hong Kong Award and the Audience Award for the Most Popular Conductor. He guest-conducted the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO), the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, the Henan National Music Orchestra, the Academy Chinese Orchestra and the Academy Symphony Orchestra of HKAPA, Fanyin Chamber Orchestra of the Tianjin Conservatory of Music, Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble etc.

Previously, Wu served as a freelance Instructor in Conducting at the Department of Traditional Chinese Musical Instruments of the Tianjin Conservatory of Music, Resident Conductor of the Conservatory’s Chinese orchestra, and instructor on its postgraduate programme; Wu was a part-time lecturer and conductor in the School of Music of HKAPA, instructor on conducting and erhu at the Chinese orchestra on the Academy’s Junior Music Programme, Resident Conductor of the Hong Kong Juvenile & Youth Chinese Classical Orchestra, and also conductor of Chinese orchestras in several schools.

Rupert holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Computer Science from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (2005), a Bachelor of Music (Hons) in banhu performance from HKAPA (2008), and a Master of Music in banhu and gaohu performance from HKAPA (2012). In 2018, Rupert became the Assistant Conductor (Education and Outreach) of HKCO through open recruitment, responsible for the conducting of the Hong Kong Young Chinese Orchestra (HKYCO), which is under the jurisdiction of the HKCO. Under his leadership, the performance level of HKYCO has achieved a noticeable increase that can be said as the best since its establishment. The number of participating member of HKYCO has increased from around 50 to 80.

Rupert has led and conducted various performances of HKYCO, which include: ‘Preservation and Perpetuation of the Classics’ in 2022 and 2021, ‘Let’s Fun@HKCC’ fun day commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Hong Kong Children’s Choir 50th Anniversary concert ‘HKCC & Friends’ and ‘Haw Par Jolly Music Day’ in 2019, Sha Tin Festival’s ‘Melodious Erhu Showcase’ and the Hong Kong International Youth Chinese Music Festival in 2018. Rupert has also led HKYCO to perform in
the ‘Chinese Music Fun! Fun! Fun!’ gala and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Chinese Music 360 Community Performance organised by HKCO. Overseas performances include exchanges and tours in the Greater Bay Area in 2019, as well as ‘Macao International Youth Music Week’ in 2018, where the Orchestra visited Macao, Shenzhen and Panyu and exchanged their music experiences with the local students.

Rupert was the conductor in ‘The Neon City’ concert (2021) and ‘Conducting Duo’ concert (2018) held by HKCO.

Source: Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble