Despite the summer creative hiatus, the artists of the Astana Opera are actively touring globally and engaging in major international projects. Principal dancers, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Yerkin Rakhmatullayev and international competitions laureate Shugyla Adepkhan, have been invited to perform at the annual international gala concert Stars of Tomorrow 2026. The prestigious event is organised by the Jean M. Wong School of Ballet and the Tsinforn C. Wong Memorial Scholarship. The Kazakh ballet duo will grace the stage of Hong Kong’s Grand Theatre as guest artists on 29 and 30 August.
The organisers have long been familiar with the artistry of the Kazakh principals, following their creative journeys closely, including through their social media platforms. In the formal invitation, they emphasised that the exceptional technical mastery and unique artistry of Shugyla and Yerkin, honed through stage performance, will serve as a profound source of inspiration for both the Hong Kong public and audiences alike.
“We are eagerly anticipating this tour. It is a profound honour for us to showcase Kazakh art in China. I previously performed there during my studies at the Kazakh National Academy of Choreography, so this will be my second visit to this remarkable country. Alongside Yerkin, we will present the pas de deux from Riccardo Drigo’s Le Talisman to the Chinese audience. We recently performed this piece at the First Sirius – Rosa Khutor International Arts Festival, so our preparation for the engagement in China effectively began well in advance,” shared the radiant ballerina Shugyla Adepkhan.  
It is also noteworthy that Yerkin Rakhmatullayev arrived in China two weeks ahead of his colleague. The principal dancer is currently preparing to perform alongside the graduates of the Jean M. Wong School of Ballet, dancing the leading role of Prince Désiré in Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty. This choreographic masterpiece will open the first act of the Stars of Tomorrow gala concert.
Furthermore, this is not Yerkin Rakhmatullayev’s first appearance in China either. The principal dancer noted that he has previously taken part in several international competitions in the Celestial Empire, returning with prestigious awards, and is fully committed to demonstrating the exceptional calibre of Kazakh ballet on this occasion. 
“The organisers have placed their trust in us as seasoned performers, wishing for us to share our wealth of experience with the young dancers. It is, of course, deeply gratifying that they have appraised the calibre of Kazakh ballet so highly. I would like to express my immense gratitude to the artistic director of our company, Altynai Asylmuratova, for her trust and support. It was she who recommended Shugyla Adepkhan and myself from across the entire company for this engagement. International recognition is of paramount importance to any artist. We will therefore endeavour to showcase our art to the absolute highest standard, thereby paving the way for other talented dancers from our company to receive frequent invitations to major international projects in the future,” concluded Yerkin Rakhmatullayev.
The Jean M. Wong School of Ballet stands as one of the pioneering and most renowned private ballet academies in Asia, with a distinguished history. Founded in 1960 by the cultural figure Jean M. Wong, the institution has contributed immensely to the development of ballet and the training of professional dancers in Hong Kong. Each year, the school’s administration provides its most talented graduates and students, including recipients of the prestigious Tsinforn C. Wong Memorial Scholarship, with the invaluable opportunity to share the stage with invited global stars.
The Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre remains one of the world’s leading stages, regularly hosting internationally renowned companies. The upcoming performance by the Astana Opera’s principals on this prestigious stage marks a significant milestone, offering the discerning Chinese public an encounter with the finest examples of classical dance while reinforcing the international prestige of Kazakh ballet.