[8] Chan started her Cantonese opera singing career by working her way to the top from humble beginnings, notwithstanding her father's connections.

Her choice was well received by veterans[8] including Sit Kok-sin and leading actress Cheung (Chinese: 張舞柳; Jyutping: zoeng1mou5lau5).

Eventually, spent months and years in Singapore and Vietnam before earning job offers in Hong Kong to join well-known or established troupes.

The mixed crew, of both local backgrounds and from Hong Kong like Chan, continued onto a second term contract to work for months while waiting for Yam Kim Fai and Bak Sheut Sin to arrive in 1968.

Chan is otherwise also known for Huashan (lively girl) roles such as Hongniang, Tam Kee-yee and Pan Jinlian on stage opposite generations of various co-leads since 1960.

[2][3][13] In 1961 film Three Battles to Secure Peace for Nation, Chan established her woman warrior status opposite future fellow co-lead on stage for the next thirty plus years.

As Hua Dan or lead female actress since 1962 in:- 1967, Kun Lun Troupe (Chinese: 崑崙劇團) [36] 1968, Lo Hoi Tin and Madam Choo Sow Yin with the Yat Sing Music Club (Portland)[12]: 312  as invited after San Francisco performance during Lunar New Year.

(This version of Farewell to Zhu Bian is however one of a few released in various formats opposite various singers over the course of about six decades since Xiaofeng Chen included the story in his repertoire.

A short eulogy referred to Madam Wong, a character Chan portrayed in 2016, six decades since making those three films very early in her career.