Edna Luk Hiu-yuet’s moment on stage touched many audience members as she accepted the top prize in the Performing Artist category at the 2024/25 Student of the Year Awards (SOTY). The event was organised by the South China Morning Post and exclusively sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
During her speech, the dancer invited her parents and grandparents to join her on stage, pausing to steady her voice as she expressed her gratitude to them.
“As far as I can remember, they’ve always been there for me – taking me to classes and competitions and being the best audience I could ask for,” said the 18-year-old, a Form Six student at PLK Tang Yuk Tien College.
Her family’s support started when she was two years old. Over the years, she mastered several dance styles, with jazz and contemporary dance becoming her favourites.
“I’m hooked on the high energy level,” she said. “The essence of dance for me is being able to put all my troubles behind me and just move freely to the music.”
As she gained more opportunities to perform, Luk discovered something new about herself. “I seldom experience stage fright ... I enjoy passing on positive energy and joy to the audience,” she noted.
One memorable example was a performance aboard the Star Ferry.
“It was challenging – we had to improvise and navigate around the fixtures and seated passengers,” Luk recalled.
“But the audience loved it and clapped along to the beat ... I just basked in that connection.”
Inspired by her dance teacher, Joey Ho, Luk cultivated her own choreographic style, infusing her movements with thought-provoking narratives.
She recalled a cultural variety show in Yuen Long, where she was tasked with choreographing a piece set to Chinese guzheng music.
“I used a folding fan as the focal point, fusing dynamic jazz movements with Chinese dance to the serene music,” she said. “The audience responded enthusiastically.”
Storytelling has become central to her choreography, often highlighting social issues and the experiences of underprivileged individuals.
One piece, titled “Heading to the Distance,” was inspired by her teacher’s advice to close her eyes and fully immerse herself in the music. This work explores the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals.
“I wanted to amplify the difficulties they encounter that are easily overlooked by the able‑bodied,” she explained. “The dance also conveys optimism – that we can all succeed despite the obstacles.”
Luk’s dedication has earned her top honours at several local and international competitions, including the Dance World Cup 2021 in Britain, the Asia Pacific Dance Competition 2023 in Thailand and the Kangaroo Cup Dance Competition in Hong Kong. These experiences have significantly shaped her understanding of the art form.
“Dance is subjective, and sometimes our expectations don’t match those of the judges,” she said.
“What matters most to me is that my performances resonate with the audience. On several occasions, competitors from other countries approached me to express their admiration, even when I didn’t win the top prizes. That means the most to me.”
Looking ahead, Luk hopes to pursue an undergraduate programme in art therapy and become a professional who uses creativity – and her extraordinary talent – to help heal minds and restore tranquillity.
