Musical Workshop in Macau “The Sound of Music”

When we received an invitation from Jelly’s Musikgarten to host a musical theatre workshop in Macau, our team was absolutely thrilled! This time, our invited instructors were Leon, our Artistic Director, and Ryan, an American teacher. Not only was this the first time both teachers had set foot in Macau, but it was also Ryan’s very first visit to Asia! Beyond the opportunity to share our expertise in musical theatre, we were eager to immerse ourselves in this culturally and linguistically diverse city, hoping to spark new creative inspirations.

During our preliminary discussions, we held several online meetings with Jelly, the director of Jelly’s Musikgarten, and quickly came to appreciate her ambitious vision for musical theatre education. Her goal extends far beyond running a music school—she aims to foster a thriving musical theatre culture in Macau while bringing together students from Hong Kong and mainland China.

This August, she plans to stage a semi-original musical, The Journey of Maria, and this workshop served as an essential stepping stone for students before their formal rehearsals began. Since the musical’s score features classic songs from The Sound of Music, we selected two pieces from the production for our workshop. These songs, combined with choreography and acting exercises, would be presented in a 10-minute showcase on the final day.

After more than ten hours of travel, we finally arrived in Macau. To our surprise, Jelly and her assistant Wincel—who will be playing Maria in the upcoming production—came to personally greet us at the airport. Their warm hospitality made us feel right at home.

On the way to our hotel, they took us past some of Macau’s most iconic landmarks, including the city’s spectacular bridges. The breathtaking cityscape left us in awe. After a brief rest at our centrally located hotel, we embarked on a culinary and cultural adventure—sampling authentic Macanese delicacies and visiting famous sites such as the Ruins of St. Paul’s and Senado Square. For our two instructors, this brief but exciting tour made them feel like enthusiastic tourists, momentarily forgetting their travel fatigue!

As the workshop spanned only two days (10 hours in total), we structured it based on the MA Musical Theatre training approach at the Royal Academy of Music:

• Mornings: Specialised training in theatre games, vocal technique, dance fundamentals, and English dialogue coaching.

• Afternoons: Scene work and staging for the final 10-minute showcase, integrating singing, acting, and movement.

The students, aged 6 to 12, were mostly from international schools and impressively multilingual, making communication seamless. However, what truly amazed us was their enthusiasm and initiative. From the moment we met them, they eagerly approached us with questions about our journey, showing no signs of shyness. Even more astonishing, many had already memorised both songs perfectly before the workshop even started!

Students from every region have their own strengths and challenges when it comes to musical theatre training. Our instructors quickly adapted their teaching approach, focusing on enhancing the students’ dance techniques and theatrical expression, ensuring they gained well-rounded skills.

The two days flew by, and before we knew it, it was time for the final presentation. Jelly had thoughtfully prepared participation certificates and invited parents to watch the showcase. To our delight, the students not only performed confidently but also displayed an even greater level of focus and commitment than during rehearsals. Their parents were amazed—within just two days, their children had not only learnt new skills but also delivered a polished performance!

Wincel, playing Maria, delivered a breathtaking vocal performance that blended beautifully with the children’s voices. Though she comes from a pop singing background, this experience was also a valuable learning opportunity for her. Above all, we were thrilled to support Jelly and her team, helping them gain even more confidence for their upcoming production.

At LAMT Musical, online education is at the heart of what we do, but every time we conduct an in-person workshop, we are reminded of the irreplaceable energy of live theatre. Learning knows no borders, yet theatre remains a uniquely face-to-face art form that thrives on human connection.

We look forward to collaborating with more institutions and schools worldwide, bringing top-tier musical theatre training to new cities. Inspired by what you saw in Macau? Get in touch with us to host your own workshop!