'Broadway Classroom' gives regard to China

Youngsters worldwide get enchanted with the musical theater arts in Broadway Classroom training. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The Broadway Classroom program, in which Broadway performers and American musical theater arts professionals provide training to youngsters, is making its international debut in China.

Partnering with China's music education-consulting firm, Motif Music, the John Gore Organization's ongoing Broadway Classroom program is visiting seven schools and two organizations, with the goal of instructing more than 1,000 Chinese students in Shanghai and Wuhan over an 11-day period.

"We are thrilled with Broadway Classroom's debut in China in the New Year," said John Gore, owner and CEO of the organization that bears his name. Broadway Classroom is a key education-engagement initiative of the organization.

"With the rapid rise of Chinese tourists attending Broadway shows in NYC and across the US, we wanted to bring Broadway to young Chinese artists by partnering with Motif Music," he said.

Motif Music is a private music education company in Shanghai that consults for several school districts in implementing instrumental and theater music programs into their schools.

"We first engaged our students with Broadway Classroom in July 2016, since they wanted to see and learn more about Broadway, perform theater and use this creative experience to improve their English," said Wei-Pin Shen, general manager of Motif Music.

"We want to expose Chinese students and music educators to the pursuit of excellence at the highest levels and are confident that the best way for us to do that is to partner with Broadway.com in this exciting debut in China," Shen said.

Stephanie Lee, president of Group Sales Box Office, which runs the program, introduced the seven schools, including marching bands and musical theater programs, that Motif Music will teach. The schools include Shanghai No 3 Girls' High School, Hongqiao International School, Wusi Middle School and others. The events in Wuhan are held in a local bookstore and public library.