Sharjah — 05 January 2026
A delegation from Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA) visited two leading music conservatories in China in December as part of an academic exchange programme.
The first visit took place at the Tianjin Conservatory of Music on December 8. The delegation met Professor Bao Yang, vice president and member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee, together with a delegation of professors from the conservatory.
The second visit was held at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing on the morning of December 11. The SPAA delegation was led by Dr Alexandros Spyrou, dean of the College of Music, and Jeremy Leong, associate programme leader of Western Music, and was joined by Chinese representatives of the Silk Strings Exchange Programme. They met Vice President Professor Qin Wenchen, as well as the heads of the Department of Composition, the Department of Musicology and the Office of International Exchange.
On behalf of the conservatory, Professor Qin welcomed the SPAA representatives and introduced the institution’s historical development, academic achievements, campus construction and international exchanges. Hao Weiya, head of the Department of Composition, and He Kuanzhao, head of the Department of Musicology, introduced the basic information and related artistic practice activities of their respective departments.
Dr Spyrou expressed his thanks for the hospitality and introduced Sharjah Performing Arts Academy. He also stated that SPAA attaches importance to cultural exchange and cooperation with China and regards collaboration with Chinese music education institutions as a key focus.
Following the meeting, the delegation toured the Opera Concert Hall and the Chinese Musical Instrument Museum. Dr Spyrou delivered a lecture to the Department of Composition entitled "From inter- to intra-action: Integrating Contemporary Chamber Music, Sound Art and Interdisciplinary Performance".
