On June 21, 2026, the third "Global Bay Area Chorus Bridge—Choral Conducting Masterclass with Erica Washburn (Phase II)" was launched at Choir Hall, Baiyun Campus of Guangdong Experimental High School in Guangzhou.
Nearly 300 music teachers from primary and secondary schools in remote areas of eastern, western, and northern Guangdong, as well as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), gathered for the professional training session. The masterclass featured Professor Erica J. Washburn as the guest instructor. She serves as the Chair of the Choral Conducting Department and the Director of Choral Activities, and is conducting at the New England Conservatory of Music in the United States.
The program was divided into two sessions. In the morning, participants engaged in conducting and choral workshops led by Professor Washburn, who provided detailed instruction on four classic foreign choral works. Her teaching focused on warm-up techniques, dynamic contrasts, and standardized conducting gestures, addressing the practical challenges music teachers face in their daily work.
In the afternoon, teachers observed Professor Washburn rehearsing the Guangdong Experimental High School women's, men's, and mixed choirs in four classic pieces from different eras and styles. Through her work with the school's award-winning ensembles, she demonstrated advanced choral techniques and offered refined suggestions on breath control, articulation, phrasing, and conductor-choir coordination. The performances reflected the school's achievements in aesthetic education.
The interactive sessions were lively and engaging, with attending teachers actively taking notes and participating in discussions. The masterclass concluded with a warm and resonant choral performance, inspiring both participants and instructors.
Organized by Guangdong Experimental High School, the "Global Bay Area Chorus Bridge" series serves as a high-quality international exchange platform, providing world-class choral training to educators in underserved regions and advancing aesthetic education across Guangdong.
The event was held under the guidance of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Education and the Guangdong Choral Association, with Guangdong Experimental High School as the lead organizer and Hawk School as the supporting partner.
Author | Jiang Chang
Photo | Guangdong Experimental High School
