Since the official announcement of the vocal music program at YMSQ, we have received enthusiastic attention, with questions such as "How exactly is the curriculum structured?", "Is the faculty strong?", and "What kind of growth can my child expect?" For a school aiming to cultivate future musicians, the establishment of each discipline is crucial for the completeness of education and the possibilities for students' future development. Today, we will present the cultivation system of YMSQ's vocal music program through three core dimensions.
I. A Four-in-One Curriculum System
"What does the vocal music program teach? How is it taught? How is the professional ability of vocal music students systematically built?"
Based on holistic education, we have constructed a four-in-one curriculum system that integrates technical training, theoretical support, stage practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration:
1. Professional Principal Courses
Core Positioning: Tailored teaching, individualized plans
Key Content:
·Frequency: Two 1-2-1 courses per week based on an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP).
·Collaboration: Staff Pianists participate in principal teaching.
·Progression: Beginner (vocalization techniques) → Intermediate (difficult repertoire) → Advanced (half-concert/solo concert capabilities).
2. Professional Foundation Courses
Core Positioning: Language + Theory, Dual Tracks
Key Content:
·Diction Course: Focusing on the Italian phonetic system to standardize vocal language pronunciation and habits.
· Musicianship Course: Systematic learning of sight-singing and ear training, music theory, harmony, and form analysis.
3. Featured Courses
Core Positioning: Cross-disciplinary Integration, Comprehensive Growth
Key Content:
·Chamber Music Collaboration: Collaborating with string/piano, covering works from Baroque to modern.
·Second Instrument: Piano as a compulsory subject, 0.5 class hours per week.
·Duet and Chorus: Honing intonation, part-sense, and teamwork.
·Stage Performance: Learning etiquette, expression management, and body language.
4. Music Practice
Core Positioning: Real Stage, Witnessing Transformation
Key Content:
·Practice Scenarios: A variety of forms such as lunchtime concerts, subject concerts, themed concerts, student solo concerts, charity concerts, and concert tours, providing students with a diverse and comprehensive music practice platform.
·Expert Resources: Regular masterclasses and expert courses, offering face-to-face exchanges with frontline singers/artistic directors.
II. Top-tier International Faculty
"What kind of faculty lineup leads the professional teaching?"
The vocal music program at YMSQ is headed by Professor Wang Kewei, an internationally renowned baritone singer and doctoral supervisor at Shanghai Conservatory of Music, serving as the Director of the Department. It has gathered an international faculty team that integrates Eastern and Western elements, deeply rooted in both teaching and the stage.
(Listed alphabetically by surname)
Dai Yuqiang
Vocal Guest Professor at YMSQ
Tenor Singer, National First-Class Actor
Dean of Henan Conservatory of Music, Zhengzhou University
Doctoral Supervisor at Nanjing Normal University
Pavarotti's only Asian disciple
Current Leader of the China Philharmonic Male Chorus, China Musicians Association
Former Professor at Peking University Opera Research Institute, PLA Academy of Art, etc.
Awarded the China Drama Plum Award, Wenhua Performance Award, First Prize at International Opera of Shizuoka, Japan, and the "Five-One Project" Award by the Publicity Department of CPC.
Starred in dozens of operas such as Turandot and Tosca, the first Chinese tenor to perform at the Royal Opera House, UK.
Founded the "Dai Sings with You" platform, led the Henan Vocal Music Top Talent Cultivation Project, and promoted opera popularization and talent cultivation.
Dean Southern (USA)
Vocal Guest Professor at YMSQ
Doctor of Musical Arts
Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dean, and Professor of Vocal Music at Cleveland Institute of Music
Former Mentor and International Advisory Committee Chair of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), USA
Conducted masterclasses at institutions such as the Central Conservatory of Music
Background as a pianist, vocalist, and stage director
Hei Haitao
Vocal Guest Professor at YMSQ
Tenor Singer, Director of the Vocal Music Division, Vocal Music and Opera Department, Central Conservatory of Music
Doctoral Supervisor
Graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music (under Professor Shen Xiang) and the Conservatorio Steffani Castelfranco Veneto, Italy
Won first prizes in multiple international vocal competitions in Italy from 1991-1992, active on European and Asian opera stages during his stay in Italy
Invited back to teach at the Central Conservatory of Music in 1999, has held 75 student concerts
Huang Ying
Vocal Professor at YMSQ
Soprano Singer, Professor at the Vocal Music and Opera Department, Shanghai Conservatory of Music
Known for her interpretations of Mozart and Rossini operas, has played leading roles in multiple operas, performing on stages of renowned concert halls and opera houses in various countries
Her performances have received international attention and praise, participated in the filming of multiple opera films
Laura Cosso (Italy)
Vocal Guest Professor at YMSQ
Italian Musicologist, Opera Director
Professor of Opera Art at Conservatorio di musica "G. Verdi" di Milano
As a director, has directed works by composers such as Mozart, Donizetti, Verdi, and Puccini
Long-term collaborator with renowned music institutions such as La Scala Opera House, skilled in enhancing students' understanding of works from a drama and stage perspective
Li Ao
Vocal Professor at YMSQ
Young Bass-Baritone Singer based in the US, Professor and Master's Supervisor at Shandong University of the Arts
Doctor of the Central Conservatory of Music
Member of the International Top Artist Training Program
Former contracted actor at top opera houses in multiple countries, starred in dozens of operas such as The Marriage of Figaro
Awarded First Prize in the Male Group of the Domingo International Vocal Competition, praised by The New York Times as "a rare singer on today's opera stage"
Lu Lei
Vocal Co-Teacher at YMSQ
Member of Shanghai Youth Opera Troupe
Doctoral Candidate at Shanghai Conservatory of Music (Class of 2023)
Studied under Professor Wang Kewei, a renowned baritone singer
Received guidance from famous tenor singer Fransisco Araiza and artistic director Reinhard Linden during her studies in Europe
Awarded Bronze Prize in the Bel Canto Professional Group at the Huanglong Music Season Vocal Competition, First Prize in the Opera Aria Graduate Group at the National Higher Education Institutions Opera Competition
Reinhard Linden (Germany)
Vocal Guest Professor at YMSQ
Artistic Director of Kiel Opera House, Germany
Studied under conductor maestros Abbado and Ferrara
Former member of top international troupes such as La Scala Opera House and Paris Opera House, skilled in vocal guidance and repertoire rehearsals
Since 2016, has had a long-term collaboration with Shanghai Conservatory of Music, led opera productions such as Così fan tutte and Carmen, cultivated talents such as Chinese young singer Hu Sihao, and actively promoted the internationalization of opera education
Wei Fanjian
Vocal Guest Professor at YMSQ
Dean, Professor, and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Music, Shandong Normal University
Vice President of the China Vocal Music Association
Graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music, visiting scholar at the Hamburg University of Music and Drama, Germany
Cultivated numerous international award winners, presided over multiple research projects, promoted the School of Music's musicology program to rank among the top five nationwide, and led the application for a doctoral program in music
Zhang Nan
Vocal Teacher at YMSQ
Young Tenor, Vocal Teacher at the Music Department, China University of Petroleum (East China)
Member of the China Young Singers Academic Committee
Awarded Second Prize in the Teacher Vocal Group at the First Shandong Provincial University Teachers and Students Basic Skills Competition
Multiple times awarded the "Excellent Teacher" title by the Shandong Provincial Department of Education and the Shandong Musicians Association, with students winning awards in provincial and municipal vocal competitions
Zhang Wanzhe
Associate Professor of Vocal Music and Director of the General Music Department at YMSQ
Soprano Singer, Academician of International Research Academy of Science and Arts
Graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music and New England Conservatory of Music
Awarded the title of "People's Artist" of Yugoslavia
Formed the "Fengming Silk Road Duo" and promoted Sino-Western exchanges, with albums collected by Harvard University
The first Chinese leading actress at the Belgrade National Opera House
III. Diversified Future Development
"What kind of vocal music talents will be cultivated here? What are the future development directions for students in the vocal music program?"
01 Professional Ability Dimension
·Master scientific vocalization techniques and singing skills.
·Possess multi-language singing abilities and a deep understanding of vocal works from different cultural backgrounds.
·Have rich stage experience and stable psychological qualities.
02 Academic Advancement Paths
·Apply to top global conservatories and university vocal music programs.
·Pursue interdisciplinary postgraduate studies at comprehensive universities.
·Achieve professional learning and diverse development.
03 Holistic Education Outcomes
·Cultivate artistic literacy and cultural understanding.
·Forge teamwork and communication skills.
·Establish an intrinsic motivation for lifelong learning and artistic pursuit.
We are ready, waiting for you to sing out!
The establishment of the vocal music program not only constructs a growth ecosystem that integrates skills, academics, and the stage but also serves as a sincere invitation to every young person with a dream of vocal music. We look forward to exploring the infinite possibilities of sound together with every student pursuing vocal music art here.