On May 23, Elena Kurakina, rector of the Belarusian State Academy of Music, visited Shenyang to explore the higher music education there and discuss deeper cooperation.

Elena Kurakina graduated from the Belarusian State Academy of Music and has been its rector of since 2022. She has made significant contributions in the field of music theory research, including studies in harmony, musical acoustics, and modern music education.

During her two-day visit, Kurakina toured the Shenyang Conservatory of Music for its history museum, concert hall, vocal opera department, and dance academy. She observed several classes and enjoyed a cultural performance by students from Northeastern University, Liaoning University, Shenyang Normal University, and the Shenyang Conservatory of Music.

Through tours, meetings, and interactions with faculty and students, Kurakina gained a deeper understanding of Liaoning’s music education. She commented, “Students in Liaoning have high musical literacy and strong learning capabilities. Institutions like the Shenyang Conservatory of Music represent the high level of music education in Liaoning, which is rich in musical disciplines and increasingly international in scope.”

Kurakina highly praised the active participation of Liaoning’s music universities in international educational cooperation and exchange. Last year, the Belarusian State Academy of Music and the Shenyang Conservatory of Music joined the “China-Belarus University Alliance”, and Kurakina’s visit this year aimed to deepen this cooperation. She noted that the similar educational philosophies and academic programs of the two institutions naturally led to a cooperative relationship. The two schools are currently preparing to establish a joint Confucius Institute in music, develop courses related to Chinese musical culture, and cultivate more artists with international perspectives and cross-cultural communication skills to meet the needs of the global art market and cultural exchanges.