Charlotte Yang (Xiaonan Yang), aged 20, is a soprano from China. She is currently studying classical voice at the Manhattan School of Music in New York, where she works under the guidance of Professor Cynthia Hoffmann. Her training focuses on opera and art song, with particular attention to stylistic awareness, textual interpretation, and the art of musical storytelling.
Charlotte discovered her love for singing at the age of seven, following an unexpected moment during a school presentation. Standing on stage with her young, unrefined voice proved to be a defining experience, from that moment on, she knew that singing would become her path. With the unwavering support of her mother, she began her musical journey, one that has led her to an international education.
What fascinates Charlotte most about music is the creative process. She approaches each new work as a journey, studying the score, exploring its historical and emotional context, and forming a deep connection with the composer or character. Music allows her to step into other lives, and through these stories, she often recognises reflections of her own experiences. It is this interplay that gives singing its meaning for her.
A significant artistic inspiration for Charlotte is Maria Callas, not for vocal perfection, but for the profound truth and humanity in her singing. For Charlotte, the essence of vocal art lies not in beautiful notes alone, but in sincerity, expression, and a living emotional presence, principles she continues to refine throughout her studies.
During her studies, Charlotte actively participates in concerts and performance projects, presenting repertoire in a variety of languages and styles. A particular highlight was The Salon, a student-initiated project she co-created with a fellow student. Over the course of six months, she collaborated with a group of talented singers on the performance of selected operatic scenes. The project proved both artistically fulfilling and an invaluable learning experience, marking her first step in initiating and organising her own production.
In her daily life, music is a source of joy, motivation, and confidence. Whether performing, studying, or listening, it gives her direction and energy. Much of her inspiration stems from her imagination, when encountering a new work, she first absorbs its atmosphere through text and melody, before creating an inner narrative in which she herself takes the leading role. In this way, she is able to fully immerse herself in the music.
