Introduction
With great respect, we are pleased to present Shared Breath, an international exchange project that brings together young vocal talent from the Netherlands and musicians from China in an intensive artistic and educational collaboration.
At the heart of the project lies a simple yet powerful idea: while the human voice is shaped by culture, language and tradition, it is fundamentally rooted in a shared physical foundation, breath.
By bringing together young singers and musicians from Europe and China, Shared Breath explores how cultural identity influences vocal expression, while at the same time revealing the universal nature of musical communication.
At its core, the project is about connection, created through a shared artistic process of collaboration, listening and co-creation.
Origin - a personal encounter
“Shared Breath” is an international exchange project that brings together young singers from the Netherlands and young musicians from China in an intensive artistic and educational collaboration.
The project originates from a personal encounter. Louise, from the Netherlands, and Charlotte, from China, met while studying at the Manhattan School of Music in New York, an internationally renowned conservatory. Coming from very different cultural backgrounds, they followed the same programme, studied with the same teachers, and moved within the same artistic environment.
What began as a meeting between two worlds quickly developed into a close friendship. Through their daily collaboration, they discovered how much they have in common: in their musical development, their way of working, their curiosity, and the joy they experience in making music together.
This personal experience forms the foundation of the project. It demonstrates that, despite cultural differences, meaningful connection is possible on a deeply human level.
From this perspective, “Shared Breath” was developed: a project in which the human voice is central, as an instrument shaped by culture, language, and tradition, yet rooted in the same physical foundation, breath.
During a ten days to two-week residency in Xi’an, young musicians will work together on repertoire, participate in masterclasses, and develop joint performances that will be presented in public concerts.
We have chosen Xi’an as the starting point, but the project is designed to be expandable to other cities as well.
Why China and Xi’an?
The choice for China, and specifically Xi’an, is both artistically and strategically grounded.
China represents a rapidly developing and highly engaged environment for classical music, with a strong conservatory system and a growing interest in European vocal traditions. For Dutch young singers, this provides a meaningful context for international artistic development and exchange.
Within this context, Xi’an holds a special significance. As one of the oldest cultural capitals of China and historically a key hub along the Silk Road, Xi’an has long been a meeting place of cultures, ideas, and artistic traditions. This makes it a particularly relevant location for a project centred around cultural exchange and connection.
The collaboration with Xi’an Conservatory of Music further strengthens this choice, providing access to a strong educational environment, talented students, and local infrastructure.
At the same time, the project is rooted in a personal connection. One of the initiating artists, Charlotte Yang, originates from Xi’an and maintains a connection to the region. This personal link enables a more authentic and meaningful collaboration, bridging the gap between individual experience and broader cultural exchange.
Together, these elements make Xi’an not only a practical choice, but a conceptually and artistically fitting location for the project.
Artistic Leadership at the Highest Level and Internationally Recognised Expertise
The artistic direction of Shared Breath is led by a team of highly experienced professionals, supported by a strong institutional framework within the Netherlands.
Irene Verburg, vocal coach and conductor, is widely recognised for her expertise in the development of young vocal talent. She has been affiliated with the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague and is director of the National Choirs of the Netherlands, where she has played a key role in preparing young singers at a high artistic level. Her work is characterised by a strong pedagogical approach and a deep commitment to nurturing emerging voices. She has studies in the United States with a grant of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.
László Norbert Nemes brings an international dimension to the project. As a choral conductor and vocal coach, he combines extensive experience in working with young singers with a strong foundation in the Kodály tradition, one of the most influential approaches in vocal and musical education worldwide. His work is rooted in musical precision, listening, and the development of ensemble sound, making him a valuable artistic counterpart within the project.
Participants from the Netherlands are selected from leading institutions, including the National Choirs of the Netherlands, an organisation with a strong reputation in the development of young vocal talent. Through collaborations with major cultural institutions such as the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and Dutch National Opera, the National Choirs provide a high-level training environment for emerging singers.
Together, this combination of artistic leadership and institutional support ensures both a high artistic standard and a strong educational foundation for the project.