Perfect Harmony Cultural Exchange Association Announces the Triumphant Return of Cantonese Opera in Los Angeles with the 2025 Talent Expo

Article originally written by Vivian Chan (Community Contributor) for Patch.

After a four-year pause, the stage once again came alive with the color, passion, and artistry of Cantonese opera. The Perfect Harmony Cultural Exchange Association, in partnership with the Chinese Women’s New Life Movement Club of Los Angeles, proudly presented the long-awaited Perfect Harmony Cultural Exchange Talent Expo 2025 on Sunday, August 17, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. at the Culture Center of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles.

This year’s expo is more than a performance—it is a cultural homecoming. Since 2015, Perfect Harmony has nurtured young artists dedicated to preserving and reimagining Cantonese opera, a centuries-old art form recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Once children learning the craft, these performers have grown into high school and college students, stepping into leadership roles as both artists and cultural ambassadors.

“Cantonese opera is not only about heritage—it’s about identity, resilience, and creativity,” said Chairwoman Lulu Yuan during a press conference at TECO Los Angeles. “We are thrilled to see a new generation carrying forward this tradition with such passion.”

The 2025 Talent Expo showcased beloved excerpts such as The Phantom Union, The Fragrant Sacrifice, and Eighteen Farewells of the Butterfly Lovers. Alongside traditional performances, the audience experienced fresh interpretations, including crossover acts blending Cantonese opera with Western instruments like guitar and violin, a ribbon dance, and a stirring erhu solo.

In addition to stage performances, the expo invited the audience to step into the world of opera with interactive mini-lectures and hands-on workshops. Attendees learned the meaning behind signature gestures, symbolic movements, and vocal techniques directly from the performers, creating a rare opportunity to connect with the art form.

Featured performers included Anthony Lam (UCLA ethnomusicology major), Emily La, Carissa Yu (incoming Stanford freshman), Chloe Bi, Melanie Mar, Jason Shue (UCLA business economics major), and Megan Law (UCLA alumna). Special guests included Professor King-Kok Cheung (UCLA scholar and advocate for Cantonese language education) and Shenandoah Markos, who delivered a moving performance of The Purple Hairpin.

“This is not just a show—it’s a bridge between generations and cultures,” said Perfect Harmony CEO Ricci Lam. “We want everyone, whether lifelong opera fans or newcomers, to leave inspired by the beauty and relevance of this art form today.”

The 2025 Talent Expo was a spectacular afternoon where tradition met innovation and audience members witnessed a new generation of artists carrying Cantonese opera into the future. More than 400 community members attended the event, demonstrating the lasting significance of this art form and heritage.

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