School Introduction

National Taiwan College of Performing Arts is first educational institution in Taiwan to provide a 12-year coherent curriculum for traditional operas talent. It is committed to cultivating traditional arts professionals and promoting the rich culture of traditional opera. The college operates across two campuses, located in Neihu and Muzha, and comprises six departments: the Department of Jing Ju, the Department of Xi Qu Music, the Department of Taiwanese Opera, the Department of Acrobatics, the Department of Theater Arts, and the Department of Hakka Opera. With a holistic approach to arts education, the college aims to develop performing arts professionals who excel in humanistic qualities, professional skills, academic theory, and creativity. The institution also hopes its students will embrace the mission of inheriting and promoting traditional performing arts. In its talent development efforts, the college emphasizes a balanced growth in traditional performing arts expertise, professional skills, and moral character, striving to cultivate well-rounded traditional performing artists.

Key Developments in the Promotion of Opera Art Education

1. Extend traditional opera partnership
Through professional collaboration in opera performances, the college has established a resource-sharing platform with public and private sectors, uniting high-caliber performance groups and distinguished educational institutions in traditional performing arts. This initiative promotes mutual development, accelerates professional growth, enhances educational quality, and cultivates innovative win-win partnerships.
2. Optimize teaching and learning, research and development resources
The college actively applies for Instructional Excellence Project grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Education to optimize teaching and research. It also holds workshops and academic talks given by world-class masters, as well as performing arts academic conferences, edits and publishes books for interdisciplinary performing arts. By supporting faculty advancement and improving teaching standards, the college continues to strengthen its distinctive focus on traditional opera education. Furthermore, the college showcases its exceptional talents through the signature “Lakes and Hills Arts Festival,” which features transdisciplinary performances in dance, Xi Qu music, and drama, accentuating the energy of traditional opera performance.
3. Foster international visibility
The college actively works to enhance its global visibility by establishing collaborations with renowned international performing arts academies and expanding exchanges with partner institutions. By strengthening partnerships with sister schools abroad, the college provides students and faculty with increased opportunities for inbound and outbound exchanges. These efforts aim to gradually cultivate international perspectives, promote internationalization, and elevate the college's global reputation.
4. Fulfilling social responsibility and implementing sustainable development
The college has launched the “Arts-and-Living Community” model and the “Caring for Young and Old” project to bring traditional opera into local communities. By helping the elderly relive childhood memories and connecting the younger generation with traditional culture, the college aims to inspire community engagement and enhance public appreciation for traditional arts and culture.

Inheriting Opera Culture Through Diligent Management

We were thrilled to have this opportunity to visit the National Taiwan College of Performing Arts. The tour was guided by Section Chief Wang, who toured us the teaching environment on campus. Upon entering the main gate, we saw Jongjheng Hall, a historic building with over 50 years of history. This iconic structure houses a performance hall on the first floor, providing a venue for student performances, and a museum of traditional opera cultural relics on the second floor, showcasing invaluable artifacts related to traditional opera. The hall frequently hosts performances and guided tours for the public, enhancing arts education. To promote arts education and knowledge, the college has established a performing art center, which aims to cultivate students' cultural and artistic qualities and provide students opportunities for participation in performances. The center also opens to the public on weekends, enabling them to experience traditional arts, thus the mission of advancing arts education.Section Chief Wang also led us through the teaching building where students attend classes and took us to the rehearsal spaces where students practice ordinarily. A highlight of our visit was witnessing a live demonstration where students showcased advanced skills, such as walking on stilts to emulate bound-foot movements and performing complex acrobatic techniques. These displays provided us with a firsthand look at the rigorous training students undergo to master traditional opera’s foundational skills at the National Taiwan College of Performing Arts. Our tour also included the dormitories, library, and other campus facilities. Behind the scenes, we explored areas where opera costumes, facial makeup styles, stage props, weapons, and musical instruments are prepared. It was an unforgettable experience as we got a sense of the dramatic “on-stage” effect.

Reflections on the Visit

After an afternoon of visiting and conducting interviews, we gained a deeper understanding of traditional opera culture, the curriculum, the teaching environment, and the student training process at the National Taiwan College of Performing Arts. This was an enriching journey of art and culture. Through our interviews with both teachers and students, we learned that becoming a performer in traditional opera requires rigorous training. Without solid foundational skills, it is impossible to deliver brilliant performances. Additionally, the teachers also discussed challenges such as declining enrollment and audience attrition. One major reason is the lack of visibility and understanding of traditional arts, which are often overlooked. Another contributing factor is the rapid development of technology, leading to the rise of alternative entertainment options like concerts, online games, movies, and television, which have gradually caused the audience for traditional opera to dwindle. Addressing these issues and reengaging audiences is a crucial goal for the opera school. Although the visit was brief, we were deeply impressed by the school's dedication to preserving and promoting traditional opera culture and its unwavering commitment to training professional performers. This is truly admirable and impressive. Finally, we encourage everyone to bring family and friends to enjoy opera performances, rediscover the joy of watching traditional opera, and provide the greatest support and encouragement to the troupes and performers who continue to showcase traditional opera.

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