The Ensemble
Our
Story
Established in 2023, ANIMA Ensemble is the creative vision of conductor Vivian Ip and violinist Nina Wong Sin I, with Vivian serving as the Artistic Director. The ensemble recognizes sound as a primordial language, entrusting musicians with the vital responsibility of translating and transmitting its profound messages. The name "ANIMA" embodies the perpetuation and evolution of artistic concepts in music, bridging the gap from antiquity to the present.
ANIMA Ensemble is dedicated to presenting unconventional contemporary chamber operas, musicals, and chamber music, aiming to enrich the audience's spiritual experience through a diverse tapestry of intellectual and emotional stimuli.
In May 2024, ANIMA Ensemble premiered the original production of Philip Glass x Leonard Cohen: The Book of Longing in Hong Kong at the Box, Freespace, West Kowloon Cultural District, supported by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. In February 2025, the ensemble collaborated with Korean violinist Ruda Lee for the concerts Four Seasons: A Journey of 1725-2025 at the Shaw Auditorium, HKUST, and the Methodist International Church in Hong Kong. Furthermore, the ANIMA Quartet performed in various concerts in partnership with the Macao Contemporary Music Association, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Pallas Piano Academy. The ensemble also participated in the premiere of the Chinese-Western opera Sleepless Moon at the Xiqu Centre in November 2024.
Through its innovative programming, commitment to artistic exploration, and community engagement, ANIMA Ensemble is poised to make a significant impact on the contemporary music scene.
MUSICIANS:
Violin: Nina Wong, Aaron Chan, Sharon Chan, Xixi Chen
Viola: Martin Kuo, Hyunjae Bae
Cello: Jia Nan, Pun Chak Yin
Double Bass: Evette Chiu
Oboe: Kelvin Lam
Saxophone: Chemie Ching
Piano: Alexander Wong, Shelley Ng
Percussion: Lily Hoi
