How Cantonese Opera Bridges Culture, Identity, and the Future | Mitche Choi | TEDxTinHau Women

Before the age of 12, Mitche Choi had no idea what Cantonese Opera was. Her first class? Not her idea. But then years later, something clicked. Cantonese Opera wasn’t just an art form-it became her way of connecting with home, identity, and tradition.
In this talk, she hopes to show how this centuries-old art form bridges the past and future, and how cultural traditions-no matter how old or distant-can help us find ourselves. Hong Kong based Cantonese Opera performer, Mitche Choi is the founder of Shan Opera, a nonprofit which strives for Cantonese Opera to remain relevant in contemporary society by curating performances and workshops since 2011.
She is the apprentice of renowned Cantonese Opera performers MAN Chin Sui and LEUNG Siu Sum.
She has worked with global brands such as Cathay Pacific, Christie’s, and Asia Art Archive to integrate Cantonese Opera with various art and media forms.
Mitche graduated from University College London with a BA in Linguistics, and from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts with a BFA in Chinese Opera. In 2020, Mitche completed her masters degree at Central Saint Martins in Arts and Cultural Enterprise. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx