A gold medal winner of Asia Pacific Competition Japan in 1989, So Hon Wah was born in Hong Kong and received early ballet training from Ms. Tania Tang. In 1986, he won a scholarship to study at the Beijing Dance Academy. Upon graduation in 1989, he joined the Hong Kong Ballet and was promoted to principal dancer in 1991, setting the milestone to be the first Hong Kong born male dancer to reach the prestigious ranking.

During his 11 years with the Hong Kong Ballet, So danced major leading roles including Pu Yi in the world’s premier production of The Last Emperor; Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake; The Prince in Nutcracker: Albrecht in Gisele; James in La Sylphide; The Prince in Cinderella; Peter Pan in Peter Pan; Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux and Who Cares by Balanchine; and Pavane by Kenneth MacMillan.

In 1995, So was awarded the Hong Kong Jockey Club Music & Dance Fund scholarship to study at The Royal Ballet School in London to further his ballet education in teaching. He obtained a diploma of Teacher Course for Professional Dancer, one of the highest qualifications in professional ballet teaching.

Since retiring from stage in 2002, So is committed to pass his passion and knowledge to the young generation. He founded a professional ballet training school L’Ecole de Jeune Ballet, and founded Hong Kong Youth Ballet Academy in 2015, to nurture students to become professional dancers. He also founded a cross-culture performing company Youth Ballet of Asia to produce performances for professional dancers from Hong Kong and Asia, as well as local aspiring students to perform in professional productions.

In 2011, So founded Asian Grand Prix International Ballet Competition, the first international competition in Hong Kong serving as a platform for talented young dancers in Asia. In recognition of his achievement and contribution to ballet, So was featured in the Hong Kong Dance Hall of Fame by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Music & Dance Fund.

​

So has made significant contributions to the dance world over the past twenty years. His exceptional training has produced numerous outstanding professional dancers, many of whom have joined international dance companies or continued their studies at prestigious national dance academies overseas. In addition to his remarkable achievements, So has also provided free education to underprivileged students and brought his ideas and education to many cities in Asia, setting a milestone for the artistic development of the younger generation.