William Yong(I)

Artistic Director and Founder of Zata Omm and W Zento Productions, William Yong has dedicated over two decades to breaking new ground by collaborating with artists, scientists, and engineers in visionary, technology-driven performance projects. William's artistic journey began with music as a member of the Hong Kong Children's Choir and later as the lead singer and songwriter for the band Fundamental, which was signed by a major record label in Hong Kong/Asia. His passion for the arts expanded into an illustrious 30-year career spanning dance, theatre, acting, directing and filmmaking. Trained at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and London Contemporary Dance School, William graduated with a master's degree with distinction. He performed with some of the world's most influential choreographers and companies, including Wayne McGregor's Random Dance and Matthew Bourne's Adventures in Motion Pictures, touring 76 cities across 15 countries. As a choreographer and director, William has created over 150 acclaimed works, including innovative productions such as vox:lumen, Steer, and Eden Planted. In 2024, he became the first Asian choreographer commissioned by the National Ballet of Canada for UtopiVerse, performed at Toronto's prestigious Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts-a groundbreaking achievement in Canadian ballet. William's contributions to the arts have earned him numerous accolades, including the "I love dance/J'aime la danse" Award for Innovation and a Dora Mavor Moore Award for performance. His stage works have garnered eleven Dora nominations, most recently for Outstanding Original Choreography for UtopiVerse. In film, William's work as a director, cinematographer and editor has received international recognition, winning awards for Best Cinematography, Award of Excellence, and Best Experimental Short at nine esteemed film festivals worldwide. With a passion for pushing artistic boundaries and a commitment to innovation, William Yong continues to redefine storytelling for the stage and screen in the technological age.