On July 14, as part of the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Choir Festival, a group of youths from the U.S. visited the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts in Beijing, immersing themselves in the elegance and complexity of traditional Chinese opera through movement, gesture, and performance.

The Southern Methodist University Meadows Choirs and Mark Hubbard and The Voices were treated to a captivating showcase by the academy's students. The program featured a rich selection of traditional opera: an excerpt from the Kunqu classic The Peony Pavilion – A Stroll in the Garden, expressing Du Liniang's yearning for love and freedom; the Hebei Bangzi Opera Borrowing the Fan, which depicted the cleverness of the Monkey King, Sun Wukong; and the Sichuan Opera's renowned Face Changing, highlighting the exquisite artistry unique to this regional style. The performance also included a Peking Opera scene from The Hus' Village and a martial arts-inspired body movement demonstration.

Despite the language barrier, many of the visiting students raised their phones to capture the performances and applauded enthusiastically—clearly moved by the artistry and expressiveness of Chinese opera.

A group of U.S. youths experience China's traditional folding fans. [Photo/chinanews.com.cn]

Following the opera showcase, the Southern Methodist University Meadows Choirs performed Flower into Kindness, while Mark Hubbard and The Voices sang We Are the World. Both pieces echoed universal themes of unity, compassion, and peace, resonating with the spirit of the festival.

During the experiential session, Zou Danhong, a graduate student from the academy's Department of Performance, introduced the students to iconic Chinese opera props—long sleeves, folding fans, and riding crops. She explained that these tools function as "silent lines", conveying emotion and extending the physical expression of actors on stage. Zou then led the students through stylized movements using the props, offering them a rare, hands-on glimpse into this refined performance tradition.

For Erica Nwachukwu, a member of Mark Hubbard and The Voices, learning to use the folding fan was both fascinating and enlightening. "Western and Eastern voices blended together today," she said. "Although China and the U.S. are very different, sharing this moment made us feel like one."

Zou, who previously taught at the Confucius Institute for Northern Ireland at Ulster University, has long been committed to introducing Chinese opera to global audiences. She believes that immersive experiences like this one can ignite curiosity and cultivate appreciation among young people. "It's a starting point for deeper understanding and a growing love for Chinese opera," she said.

Even after the session ended, many visiting students lingered, eager to ask questions and learn more. Likewise, while watching the U.S. choirs perform, Zou said she gained deeper insight into Western music and stage expression. "Cultural exchange is always mutual," she reflected. "This event offered a valuable opportunity to learn from one another and brought us closer together."