On October 9, the "2024 Global Bay Area Chorus Bridge" Youth Choral Education Seminar & Choral Master Workshop was held at Guangdong Experimental High School in Guangzhou. The event gathered music teachers and students from Guangdong Province, along with instructors and students from the Young People's Chorus of New York City (YPC). Both sides engaged in in-depth exchanges on music teaching and performance skills in order to seek deeper cooperation in music education.

Francisco J. Nú?ez, Young People's Chorus of New York City's Founder and Artistic Director addresses the audience. (Photo: Pan Jiajun/GDToday)

Francisco J. Nú?ez, founder and artistic director of YPC, shared with the crowd how he founded the chorus and how he envisions what music could bring to his young members. A delegation of 39 American teens from YPC put on a wonderful performance for the audience. From tone and movement to repertoire, Mr. Nú?ez elaborated on his training skills and experience.Mr. Nú?ez noted that the workshop serves as a platform for mutual learning. "After we visit China this year, next year I want them to come to New York City." He also warmly welcomed students and teachers from Guangdong to have more exchanges with them in the near future.

YPC members and teachers show the crowd their warm-up routine. (Photo: Pan Jiajun/GDToday)

"These YPC members are very engaged. They were all fixated on music and let out all their emotions." Xie Mingjing, who instructs the Guangdong Experimental High School Choir, spoke highly of the chorus team. In addition to technical experience from YPC, he pointed out that what he and his team can learn is that musical performance plays a role in shaping people's personalities. By working as a team hand in hand with dozens of fellows in a chorus, he mentioned, these young individuals learn patience, teamwork, and get to take on a bigger positive social role.In September last year, both two chorus teams performed a song together titled "A Wish from Across the Sea" to celebrate the International Day of Peace adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. "We both appreciate and learn from each other. We have so much in common. After they visited us, I think we could build a closer friendship among the kids from the two Bay Areas."

YPC gives a choral performance at the venue. (Photo: Pan Jiajun/GDToday)

Ms. Liang Shiya, a music teacher from Liwan District of Guangzhou, found the rendition very relatable as she could tell these kids fully immersed themselves in music."What I saw today was very special. I think these kids did not hold anything back on stage," she said. "I think many of my students at school are rather shy and introverted in my class. I really want to teach my students to enjoy the joy of music like them." She emphasizes that the seminar really provided a chance for Chinese music educators to partner up in choral training.As a teacher and musician herself, she sincerely hopes the voices of Chinese kids can be heard by bigger crowds all over the world. "Once a year, our chorus team also travels to places like New Zealand for international contests. We really look forward to this year's contest," she added.

(cnbayarea.org.cn & GDToday)