Yemina Yu Chung-yan

Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine
Cantonese opera performer

“Cantonese opera nourishes my drive to study and to create a positive societal impact.”

A thirst for learning led Yemina into the world of both Cantonese opera and veterinary medicine. Her fascination about a systemic approach to things has enabled her to excel in both disciplines.

Yemina was brought up in a family full of Cantonese opera enthusiasts. Her father taught her the pronunciation of Cantonese, including the nine tones, which proved to be the backbone of singing Cantonese opera with no fixed melody. At the age of six, under the influence of her father, Yemina started learning Cantonese opera. Her mother also began attending lessons when she realised the beauty of this art form, which includes history, lyrics and melody. Now Yemina teaches Cantonese opera to adults. While other teachers ask their students to memorise the songs, Yemina uses the systemic approach to Cantonese pronunciation as the foundation to help the students to get a better grasp of the artform.

During the pandemic, as all live performances were paused, Yemina and a friend started a YouTube channel to promote the lesser-known songs of Cantonese opera. In traditional performances, multiple instruments are normally used, and the music can be overwhelming to the younger generation, so she and her friend simplified the presentation with only two instruments. This refreshing way of presenting Cantonese opera earned her the “For Our Future Scholarship” from the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation.

Cantonese opera was not the only influence from her father. He was a famous horse-racing commentator, and she attended equestrian classes, including dressage and show jumping, at a young age. Combining this experience with her craving for knowledge, she applied for the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine programme at CityUHK. She was admitted and awarded the D. H. Chen Foundation Scholarship. The systematic approach to teaching helps her tremendously with her studies. In her courses, she learnt that veterinarians need to come up with the best approach to treat animals, and this has driven her awareness of the importance of animal welfare in Hong Kong.

Yemina also cares deeply for those in need. She performed in a Tung Wah fundraising show and co-organised a fundraising event which raised more than $500,000 for the Hong Kong Kidney Foundation.

In the future, she wants to organise a Cantonese Opera student club to further promote this artform to the CityUHK community.

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