Royal Academy (China)


The Royal Academy is the official school for music, dance, and theater in China between the Tang Dynasty and Ming Dynasty, lasting more than 1000 years.

History

In the 7th Century, the Chinese Royal Academy was set up by Emperor Gaozu of Tang in the purpose to teach music, theater, and dance for court entertainment. The name of the Royal Academy at first was Private Academy, coordinated by the Tai-Chang Temple. In the years of Empress Wu Zetian, the Private Academy was once called Yun-Shao Palace. Finally, Emperor Zhongzong of Tang renamed the academy to the Royal Academy. In the meantime, he made the school independent with a new governmental official similar to the western Kapellmeister to guide.