More than one hundred underprivileged children enjoy
'The Joy of Music and Dance Series' from Sino Group's 'Art in Hong Kong'

(28/07/2010, Hong Kong) To foster art appreciation in the community, 120 underprivileged children were invited to participate in 'The Joy of Music and Dance Series' from Sino Group's 'Art in Hong Kong'. The children experienced the joy of art appreciation by playing interactive musical games with more than 20 volunteers from Sino Group as well as enjoying music and dance performances. After the Christmas performance by a choir of 100 last December, 'The Joy of Music and Dance Series' from Sino Group's 'Art in Hong Kong' debuts this year with two spectacular dance performances from EXCEL of the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts – 'Dance to the Historical Development of Hong Kong' and 'Jazz by EXCEL Children'. Besides the performances, the underprivileged children experienced a 'Let's Dance Together' session, in which the participants learned impromptu jazz steps from HKAPA instructors. The Sino Caring Friends volunteers also played games with the children to train their sense of rhythm and awarded each a gift bag of stationery for their new academic year. Sino Group has been actively involved in various volunteer services, community programs and fundraising activities, and has cooperated, on a regular basis, with numerous social organisations to support those in need. The service hours of the volunteer team exceeded 40,000 last year. ~ End ~ Sino Group's 'Art in Hong Kong' Dedicated to promoting local art and culture and enriching the daily lives of Hong Kong people, Sino Group initiated 'Art in Hong Kong' in 2006. The programme organises art exhibitions and activities at various Sino Group properties. Besides providing free venues to host art and cultural programmes, Sino Group's 'Art in Hong Kong' offers curatorial support, publicity assistance and organises educational programmes to help artists introduce their works to the public. In 2008, Sino Group's 'Art in Hong Kong' received the annual 'Award for Arts Sponsorship' for the second consecutive year from The Hong Kong Arts Development Council, and the 'Award for Arts Promotion' for the first time. Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, established by Government Ordinance in 1984, is one of the leading institutes for higher arts education in Asia. It provides professional education, training and research facilities in the performing arts, theatre and entertainment arts, film and television. Its educational policy reflects the cultural diversity of Hong Kong with emphasis on Chinese and Western traditions and interdisciplinary complementarity. The Academy offers academic programs from Diploma to Master's degree level in Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, Theatre and Entertainment Arts, and Chinese Traditional Theatre. Every year the Academy enrols approximately 750 students in its full-time programmes and 770 students in its Junior Music and Gifted Young Dancers' programmes. Furthermore, its extensive EXCEL (Extension and Continuing Education for Life) Programme offers part-time personal enrichment courses and in-service professional training to nearly 8,000 students each year.