Artists perform at the National Center for the Perfomring Arts. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The selected performers focused on improving their vocal abilities and learning Mandarin lyric voice during the one month.

To commemorate China's reform and opening-up, which began in 1978, the performance included popular Chinese songs from different times over the past four decades, such as The Moon Represents My Heart, Song of Seven Sons and On the Hopeful Field. Performers also sang several beloved foreign pieces, such as Moscow Nights, Carmen and Toreador Song.

"Singing is an ideal way for us to exchange culture and ideas, and to make connections," says Juliet Petrus, a US performer who joined the program for a third time.

According to the art director Tian Haojiang, by inviting foreign artists to China, they get an opportunity to approach China and its culture. Chinese artists, in turn, can also have the chance to stand on international stages.