From the ancient streets of Xi'an to the historic harbors of Fuzhou and the bustling capital Beijing, the One Voice Children's Choir has lit up stages across the Chinese mainland. Invited back for the "Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Choir Festival," the American ensemble is on a mission: to bridge cultures through song.
During a reunion with Chinese host Wang Guan, Tanner DeWaal, CEO and artistic director of One Voice, reflected on how their voices once again carried messages of unity and hope. "Each note is an invitation to connect," he said, recalling the choir's first visit and the friendships that have grown since.
For the young performers, singing in Chinese was both a challenge and a highlight. Several members shared how local coaches helped them perfect tones and pronunciation—and how they in turn taught children from local choirs an English folk song. "I was surprised by how quickly we found common ground," one chorister noted, smiling at the memory of their joint finale in Xi'an.
Moments of spontaneity—like an impromptu street performance in Fuzhou's old town—became catalysts for storytelling. Audiences clapped, sang along, and connected across language barriers, illustrating the power of music when politics and borders fade into the background.
As the choir wraps up in Beijing, they carry home more than melodies. Their journey reaffirms a simple truth in turbulent times: music can spark friendships, fuel understanding, and remind us that we share a global stage.
Reference(s):
From Utah to Beijing: One Voice Choir's heartwarming China tour
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