The Malaysian Institute of Art's Mixed Voices Choir performs at the ongoing Beijing International Art Week For Youth. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The Beijing International Art Week For Youth kicked off with a gala at Tsinghua University on Oct 15.

Six dance performances staged by students from the Beijing Dance Academy and Beijing Sport University, among other institutes, opened the weeklong event that will witness 17 concerts, 10 workshops and 10 master classes, which are expected to be attended by more than 2,000 students and teachers from some 20 countries, including the United States, Britain, Spain and Poland.

According to Wu Lingfen, the artistic director of the Beijing International Art Week For Youth, the event started in 2006 and was held in 2012, 2014 and 2016, with a different theme each year. This year, the theme is "chorus", with 24 choirs from 14 countries giving performances in the Chinese capital from Oct 16 to 21.

[Photo provided to China Daily]

"Since 1987, Chinese schools have offered chorus lessons to students. It's a great way for students to start learning music," says Wu. "Besides enjoying music, young students can learn to work together and listen to each other in a choir."

Among the participating choirs is Balta, an all-female choir, which was founded in 1999 by Mara Marnauza, professor at the Jazeps Vitols Latvian Music Academy in Latvia. Marnauza is the choir's artistic director and conductor.

"This is the first time for us in China and we will perform nine songs, including Western classical songs and traditional Latvian folk songs," says Marnauza, who traveled to Beijing with 27 singers of the choir.

[Photo provided to China Daily]

"Each country has its own unique chorus songs, which carry the country's culture and tradition. We not only present our own songs but also enjoy other countries' music."

Like Marnauza, it's also the first trip to China for 25-year-old student Sizwe, who is studying accounting at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa. With 16 songs, including African folk songs and Western pop songs, Sizwe will perform with 56 students of the University of Johannesburg Choir, ages 19 to 26, in Beijing.

According to the conductor of the choir Renette Bouwer, the University of Johannesburg Choir has bloomed into "a musical hybrid that reflects the country's past and hope for its future".

[Photo provided to China Daily]

Formed in 2005, the choir has traveled to many countries, including Austria, Germany and Belgium.

"Besides songs which are performed in four languages, we will also perform authentic African dance. I was very excited even during the rehearsal," says Sizwe, who started singing in school choirs at age 6.