Abby Wong Yat-tung, a 17-year-old student at Heep Yunn School, believes music is a universal language that allows people to express their emotions.
Abby’s remarkable musical journey began in kindergarten. Encouraged by her parents to pursue her passion, she learned a wide range of instruments, including the harmonica, harp, piano, violin and Chinese erhu. Her vocal talent began to blossom when she joined the school choir in Primary One, followed by her enrolment in the Opera Hong Kong Children’s Chorus in Primary Four.
By Form Two, Abby had joined the Junior Music Programme at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), where she was awarded scholarships for several consecutive years. “I began learning bel canto at the HKAPA,” she recalled. Her dedication culminated in winning the top prize at the 2025 Hong Kong Schools Music Festival.
Her heartfelt performance at the Student of the Year Awards ceremony in July 2025 deeply moved the audience. Abby was named a finalist in the Performing Artist category of the 2024/25 Student of the Year Awards – organised by the South China Morning Post and solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club.
For Abby, singing is a platform to challenge herself and reach new heights. “I’m always conscious of trying my best,” she said. Her exposure to multiple instruments has enriched her vocal artistry. “For instance, the violin teaches me about unbroken poetic flow.
The piano sharpens my sense of intonation, while the harp immerses me in serenity.”
The HKAPA’s Junior Music Programme, combined with scholarship support, has played a pivotal role in Abby’s artistic development.
“Peer exchanges have inspired me. The exposure helped me diversify and shape my style during [my] junior secondary years, while I’ve delved deeper into character analysis in senior secondary,” she said.
Her musical journey has taken her to prestigious stages, including the Winners’ Concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City: “The preparation was intense, but the live performance was awe-inspiring. Many of the world’s top musicians have captivated audiences on this very stage,” Abby reflected. “My dream is to perform a solo concert there one day.”
Despite her demanding training and performance schedule, Abby has also served as vice chairperson of the Heep Yunn School Choir. In this role, she learned to interpret the conductor’s instructions and convey the narrative of songs with clarity and heart.
Abby is passionate about making music accessible. Alongside her colleagues, she co-organised the Blessed Harmony Recital Concert, coaching individuals who use wheelchairs – many of whom had no prior musical training. “We started from zero,” she recalled.
What touched Abby most was witnessing music’s transformative power.
“Over the six-month coaching period, we saw the members evolve. Their initial shyness gave way to enthusiasm,” she said. “What moved me was their feedback, their suggestions for pieces, and the excitement they showed as they dressed for the performance.”
“For me and my colleagues involved in organising charity concerts and training wheelchair-bound individuals, we’ve rediscovered the essence of music and rekindled our passion,” she shared.
