The Toronto Buddha’s Light Choir hosted a multicultural music workshop, “The Essence of Bel Canto: Using Vocal Techniques Effectively,” at Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto on July 30.

Led by choir conductor Monie Liang, the workshop attracted nearly 65 participants, including seven first-time attendees, bringing fresh energy to the choir community. The event aimed to advance quality music education while promoting Humanistic Buddhism through music.

Liang introduced the Italian vocal tradition of Bel Canto, meaning “beautiful singing.” Developed over several centuries, it remains an important foundation of classical vocal training.

She explained that Bel Canto does not rely on a single resonating chamber. Instead, it requires the coordinated use of the entire vocal system, including stable chest-abdominal breathing, breath support known as appoggio, natural vocal-fold vibration, an open throat, a raised soft palate, clearly shaped vowels and mask resonance. Together, these elements produce a natural, rounded and projecting tone.

Through explanations and demonstrations, Liang showed how airflow, the diaphragm, intercostal muscles and other muscle groups work together to provide steady breath support. She also introduced five resonance areas—the chest, throat, mouth, nasopharyngeal space and head—and explained their roles in healthy vocal production.

The workshop explored a range of musical styles, including folk and traditional vocal techniques, Bel Canto, Peking opera, R&B, jazz, rock and pop. Liang also introduced training systems such as Speech Level Singing, contemporary vocal training and traditional classical techniques.

She noted that different vocal styles have their own qualities and that singers should not be judged by a single standard.

“A performance is successful when it moves the audience,” she said.

The lively session combined instruction, demonstrations and audience participation, creating a relaxed atmosphere filled with laughter. During the closing question-and-answer period, participants discussed singers such as Anita Mui and Eason Chan as examples for studying tone, phrasing and musical interpretation.

The choir will continue to strengthen members’ vocal skills, enrich community cultural life and promote Humanistic Buddhism through song.