Domenique Branch, lead soprano of Pure N Heart, is midway through rehearsals for the 2025 China-U.S. Youth Choir Festival—and she already feels right at home on the Chinese mainland.
From the moment she stepped off the plane, Branch was met with warm smiles and kind gestures. Whether sharing melodies in the rehearsal hall or sampling local delicacies like steaming xiaolongbao, she found every interaction to be an invitation into a vibrant cultural tapestry.
The festival brings together hundreds of young voices from the Chinese mainland and the United States, united by a passion for music and global harmony. Branch says, “I’ve never felt so welcomed—I think I’ve made friends for life before even performing on stage.” Through WeChat playlists, impromptu jam sessions, and late-night discussions about vocal techniques, she’s seen firsthand how music can bridge borders.
As rehearsals continue, Branch hopes this experience will spark fresh collaborations between artists worldwide. For young global citizens and music lovers alike, her journey is a reminder that home isn’t always a place—it’s the people and connections we make along the way.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
