//16.4 Perspectives
Kessay Chan talks about the complexities of the music industry while calling others to appreciate art and embrace their creative passions.
Kessay (陳君明) is an a cappella music artist based in Hong Kong whose musical journey began while he was still at school. Introduced to the school a cappella team by his music teacher, he pursued vocal studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) before founding Wai Sing Music (圍唱音樂), a group dedicated to a cappella performances, education and production.
Reflecting on his early experiences in music, Kessay shared, “When I first started studying music, I felt confused and uncertain about my future and the type of career path that suited me and so I asked my peers, seniors and teachers for guidance before finally exploring things on my own and finding my way.”
However, after graduation, he faced the challenges of an unstable income, limited resources, and lack of recognition. Fortunately, his mentors gave him invaluable help to apply for funding and secure performance venues.
Now pursuing a Master’s Degree in cultural management at CUHK, Kessay looks back at this educational experience as highly beneficial. He was not only taught the techniques of his discipline but also provided with professional knowledge and mentorship for career development and entrepreneurship. As he noted, “Often, it is not enough for artists to simply create; they must also learn how to promote their work and sustain it over the long term.”
Kessay acknowledges that what he gained at university level – and to an extent at school – was fortunate: that wider support should come from a growing appreciation of arts. “Without this understanding and appreciation, no amount of funding or promotional platforms can successfully elevate the work of artists, particularly if they are young.” As he further explained, “Our education system should enable students to engage with art, appreciate it, and not resist either art itself or the act of creating art.”
Despite all the challenges, Kessay remains in Hong Kong to pursue his artistic endeavours. “My passion is to create and the reason I choose to stay in Hong Kong is because I genuinely enjoy this creative process and communicating with people through music. This sense of community, our unique linguistic culture and my ongoing projects are what keep me going.”