Throughout June and August, the OzAsia Festival team were fortunate to welcome three interns from the Chinese University of Hong Kong: Kelvin Ho, Jenny Pan, and June Wong.
In this interview, Kelvin, Jenny and June talk about their interest in arts, differences between the Hong Kong and Australian art landscape, and their top picks from the 2023 OzAsia program.
Kelvin Ho
How did you first become interested in the arts?
I first started playing piano when I was 5 years old, and I was once a member of The Hong Kong Children’s Choir and participated in public performances. With a music and arts administration background Degree, I have performed on stage, and participated in an exchange programme CoLab at Trinity Laban. At some point I would love to try working behind-the-scenes and witness the creation progress.
What has a typical day of work at Adelaide Festival Centre looked like for you?
I feel like every day has been very warm-welcomed by the Adelaide Festival Centre family. The Adelaide Festival Centre is near the River Torrens, so when I walk through the Walk of Fame each day, I am full of energy and empowered by this beautiful scenery. I enjoy working in the office with our kind colleagues, they are all willing to listen and share with us, and I also have a chance to explore the Adelaide Festival Centre. On each Friday, we catch up with the OzAsia team over a "cuppa" casually and have a little sharing after some busy work.
What are your top picks for the OzAsia Festival program?
I look forward to the Moon Lantern Trail and Lucky Dumpling Market. In Hong Kong there are less chances to experience an outdoor program during an arts festival.
For theatre productions, I look forward to the Infinitely Closer by T.H.E Dance Company with the artistic director Kuik Swee Boon. I heard that there will be some setup on a 360 Spatial Sound technology at the Festival Theatre which the audience could experience on stage with the dancers. Another programme that I look forward to is Buried Teabowl—Okuni by Yumi Umiumare. Since I love Japanese culture, I think the artist is going to show us some unexpected experiences of authentic Japanese culture in her solo performance.
What has been your favourite part about Adelaide and your internship?
It is a place where I can really slow down my pace and enjoy the city in different ways, visiting arts venues, galleries and museums. I love the beaches, especially the Southport beach. The OzAsia team and AFC staff have been very supportive, I am very happy to be a part of the team, making new connections. I hope I can come back for the OzAsia Festival in the coming future.
Jenny Pan
How did you first become interested in the arts?
I think my interests in arts firstly began with my family. My dad loves classical music and he plays guitar. I remember waking up in his playing every morning when I was very young, my mum is also an arts enthusiast, and my sister is a curator and often takes me to some exhibitions. So falling in love with arts was natural for me, and I feel appreciative that my family could foster my interest in the Arts.
What has a typical day of work at Adelaide Festival Centre looked like for you?
Working at Adelaide Festival Centre is really enjoyable, when I enter the office, the first thing I could see is the beautiful decorations from the OzAsia team, like the flowers, umbrellas and kites. Then I sit down in front of my computer, starting my working for the day. And because my job is to perform an archival study of OzAsia brochures, I’ll read them through carefully and sort out some important information. And I’ll browse TikTok to discover some local TikTokers for marketing collaboration. For lunch we always have good choices, because there are a lot of good restaurants near our centre. We sometimes will watch a show together after work.
What are your top picks for the 2023 OzAsia Festival program?
My top pick for the 2023 program is I Swallowed a Moon Made of Iron by Njo Kong Kie. During our internship we met the artist and he was really professional and creative. This show gets inspiration from famous poetry, which resonated deeply with me, while discussing some social issues as well as celebrating and mourning a poet who was also a worker. I believe it will be touching and thought-provoking.
What has been your favourite part about Adelaide and your internship?
I like Adelaide’s slow and artistic lifestyle, when walking through Rundle Mall we can see people performing on the street. It seems like everyone could be an artist in their daily life. During my internship, my favorite part must be visiting the venue and watching some excellent shows for free!
June Wong
How did you first become interested in the arts?
When I was kid my parents always brought me to the art museum in Hong Kong. I was also encouraged and supported by them to take different kind of art classes.
What has a typical day of work at Adelaide Festival Centre looked like for you?
A lot of negotiations and discussions to make sure all the programs are presented as perfect as they can be.
What are your top picks for the OzAsia Festival program?
Made in China 2.0 by the artist Wang Chong, The Bridal Lament by Rainbow Chan, and of course, the Moon Lantern Festival!
What has been your favourite part about Adelaide and your internship?
Meeting all the amazing people and making friends with them!
More about our interns
Kelvin Ho is an arts administrator with experience in inclusive arts programming, community arts, choral festivals and Chinese Opera performances. He most recently worked as the Programme and Outreach Coordinator for the Hong Kong Arts Festival, and before that as the Senior Project Officer for Yat Po Singers. Kelvin recently attended APAM as part of the HK Arts Administrators Association's delegation.
Jenny Pan has a background in media and a keen interest in contemporary culture and building communities through the arts. She has experience producing online events, including the Bilibili New Gala Evening which reached 82 million simultaneous online views, and TFBOYS' 7th Anniversary Concert which achieved a Guiness World Recrod for the most people watching a paid concert online.
June Wong is a project manager with experience in the fields of nature conservation, youth eduation, and arts and culture. She has particular expertise in developing and implementing organisational strategies and new initiatives. She has worked for WWF Hong Kong, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Tsz Shan Monastery (Li Ka Shing Foundation) and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.
Their top picks from the OzAsia program
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