March 14, 2026: AOPA Cantonese Opera Performance Ensemble at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater, San Francisco. Photo: Paul Tsang.

American Orient Performing Arts

Cantonese Opera and traditional Chinese instrument music

Bay Area San Francisco County Asian/Asian-American/Pacific Islander Music Cantonese Chinese/Chinese-American 2026

American Orient Performing Arts (AOPA) was founded in 2007 and is located in the heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Its mission is to preserve the traditional cultural art of Cantonese “Chinese” opera. AOPA provides workshops and supports traditional Chinese opera artists and musicians. AOPA’s performance art and support includes: rehearsal space, teaching Chinese operatic singing techniques, Chinhg sik, performance movement/acting, and costumes and makeup design. AOPA provides public opera performances and preserves the history of this ancient art form for the San Francisco Bay Area community.

“Prosperity of Zhenguan” performance during AOPA 2019 Cantonese Opera at Great Star Theater, San Francisco, with Eva Tam as Emperor Taizong. Credit: KTVU.

Living Cultures Grant

2026

Cantonese Opera Folk Art in San Francisco – Passing on the Culture

Funding will support AOPA’s Chinese opera/traditional Chinese music workshops for 20 intergenerational participants (ages 10-80+). Members of the group will receive percussion and vocal lessons, rehearse alongside professional Chinese opera performers, and learn about the makeup and costuming process, along with the history of this art form.

March 14, 2026: Teresa Luk demonstrating traditional costume, make up, and large water sleeves movement on stage during AOPA's Cantonese Opera Performance at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater, San Francisco. Photo: Paul Tsang.

Eva Tam and Tilly Tang (as Sheng and Dan) in traditional costumes, make-up, and water sleeves for AOPA's Cantonese Opera Performance at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater, San Francisco, on March 14, 2026. Photo: Paul Tsang.

Chinatown youth, ages 10-18, participating in a Cantonese Opera Youth Workshop (Traditional Chinese Percussion Lesson and Performance) led by Eva Tam. Photo: Johnathan Howe.

Eva Tam, AOPA Executive Director, in traditional facial make-up before performing at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco on March 14, 2026. Photo: Paul Tsang.

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