Shanghai Conservatory of Music recently hosted its 2026 international summer program, an initiative backed by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission. The program, which includes the Shanghai Summer School on Chinese Folk Music and a parallel track for the Belt and Road arts and culture talent initiative, drew 58 students from 10 countries, including the United States, France, Brazil, Malaysia, and Nepal. Through lectures, workshops, cultural excursions, concert attendance, and a final performance, participants gained an immersive introduction to traditional Chinese music.

A Dual Focus: Tradition and Technology

The program was built around two tracks: Chinese music culture and music technology — a curriculum designed to be professional, hands-on, and globally minded.

Lecturers from across the conservatory covered a wide range of ground. Dai Weiyi and Dong Tiansheng dove into digital sound and interactive creation. Erhu master Wang Yongde spoke about music as a language without borders. Fang Dalei explored AI-generated sound, while Song Yuchen used rhythm as a gateway to musical expression. On the historical side, Huang Yi'ou traced the long arc of Chinese music, Zhang Xuan introduced Chinese opera as living heritage, and Tang Xiaofeng, Niu Fanqiong, and Lu Xiaoxiao guided students through classics on the guqin, yangqin, and pipa. Ren Shihong rounded things off with a look at how the conservatory itself is pushing forward in music tech and AI.

Beyond the Classroom: Experiencing Chinese Culture Firsthand

The program extended well beyond lectures, with a rich lineup of activities designed to bring students together across cultures. A folk music showcase and student forum featured performances by both Shanghai Conservatory students and program participants, with plenty of room for discussion and exchange. Students also stepped into a tai chi and Daodejing workshop, visited the Museum of Oriental Musical Instruments to explore the history and craft behind Chinese instruments, and took in a Peking Opera performance — "The Conqueror" — at the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

A day trip to Hangzhou rounded out the experience, giving participants a chance to explore the city's historical sites and soak in the landscape and culture of this ancient and culturally rich part of China.

 

Final Concert: Music as a Bridge Across Cultures

The closing ceremony and final concert were held at the conservatory's Folk Music Hall, with Vice Dean Feng Lei, International Education Dean Xie Miaomiao, and Folk Music Department Chair Dai Xiaorong in attendance. Ma Xiaoming, associate dean of international education, hosted the event alongside faculty and all program participants.

"Music is our medium, culture is our bridge," Feng Lei said in his remarks. This summer's program, he added, brought together 58 young artists from 10 countries — not just to learn Chinese instruments, but to connect with the culture behind them, and through that, with each other.

Two participants spoke about what the program meant to them: Sabahati, a Shanghai Conservatory vocal student who served as a teaching assistant, and Fernando Schuck from Brazil.

Then came the concert — nearly 30 pieces, spanning genres and traditions. There were Chinese classics on the guzheng, pipa, yangqin, bamboo flute, and erhu, alongside piano, cello, and vocal works. The program mixed familiar favorites — "Dragon and Tiger," "Fantasy of the Mountains," "High Mountains and Flowing Water" — with Western repertoire like "Siciliana," Chopin's Nocturne, and "Libertango." Students also brought music from home: the Nepali folk song "Resham Firiri" and the Brazilian "Águas Claras" drew particular warmth from the audience. Several pieces were collaborations across nationalities — a fitting way to end a program built on exchange.

The conservatory says it will keep building platforms for international music exchange, bringing young talent together and letting music do what it does best: connect people across cultures.

Source: Shanghai Conservatory of Music