The Distinguished Achievement Award is presented to Tom Brown for his immeasurable contribution to the development of dance in Hong Kong over the past 30 years. Following a successful career as a dancer, dance director, and choreographer in his native USA, Tom came to Hong Kong in 1985 to teach Modern Dance at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, eventually becoming Head of Modern Dance and Associate Dean of the School of Dance.
Starting in 2006 Tom pioneered the introduction of MFA and MMus degree programs benchmarked at international standards in cinema production, dance, drama, music, and theatre and technical arts and established the Graduate Education Centre for which he served as Director, Dean, and Chair until 2014.
As teacher and mentor Tom has trained, supported, and inspired many of our finest dancers and choreographers. He has played a key role in the growth of contemporary dance in Hong Kong and his wisdom, passion, and commitment have helped to further dance of all kinds.
During his tenure as Chairman of the Hong Kong Dance Alliance (1997 – 2006), Tom inaugurated The Hong Kong Dance Awards and dance journal/hk, Hong Kong’s only magazine dedicated to dance for which he has served as editor since 1999. He has served as a consultant with numerous bodies including the ADC and LCSD and is Chair Emeritus of the Hong Kong Dance Alliance. In 2007 he was awarded the Home Affairs Bureau Certificate of Commendation for outstanding contributions to the development of arts and cultural activities in Hong Kong.
