Chinese tenor Dai Yuqiang will offer online courses on singing. Photo provided to China Daily

Chinese tenor Dai Yuqiang unveiled plans for a massive open online course, or MOOC, in Beijing on Thursday (Nov 20). Through the platform of China Network Television, Dai will give singing courses twice a week, beginning on Jan 1.

As the first and only Chinese student of Luciano Pavarotti, Dai, 50, has risen to fame at home and abroad as one of "China's Three Tenors", with Wei Song and Hong Kong-born Warren Mok. He played major roles in operas such as Turandot, La Traviata, Carmen and La Boheme.

"I have been planning online singing courses for years, not only for professionally-trained students but also for ordinary audiences," says Dai.

Dai has given master classes for students at music conservatories around the country for years. However, the more classes he gave, the more he realized that the traditional way of teaching can only help a limited number of students.

Early this year, Dai started the project, inviting some young Chinese tenors to cooperate — not only demonstrating singing skills but also teaching basic knowledge about classical music and sharing their own stories.

"For the academically trained students, they can learn to correct their mistakes through watching others' demonstration. For ordinary audiences, who might be familiar with classical music and Western opera, they will get to know the Western art form and enjoy it," Dai says.

The veteran singer notes that some professors from established universities around the world, such as Harvard and Columbia, have given MOOC. Many international students, including Chinese, have benefited from such "remote" education.

"If you can learn English online, you can learn singing online, too," Dai says.

Chinese tenor Dai Yuqiang will offer online courses on singing. Photo provided to China Daily

Dai's learning experience with renowned tenor Pavarotti also inspired him to do such an online course. He first met Pavarotti during the Three Tenors Concert at the Forbidden City in 2001. Dai's singing talent impressed Pavarotti, who recommended him to opera houses in Europe.

"That experience was a lifelong treasure. If I could share my learning experience with Pavarotti online, many students will benefit," he says.

He also points out that some of the teachers at music conservatories, especially in second- and third-tier cities, have less performance experience.

"All they have is just singing theories, which is not enough for students," he says.

Besides giving courses, students are expected to upload their singing videos and Dai will pick up four students every week to give face-to-face training. The students will also have changes to perform with Dai.

The online courses will be an extension to the series concerts, Singing for You - Dai Yuqiang and Future Stars, which Dai started in August 2013. It has toured the country throughout 2014.

During each concert, he introduces the background of each aria and song before the vocalists perform. Dai says that, during the concerts, he will discuss the background behind the works, anecdotes related to the composers and performers, and the history of the music.

"The feedback from the concerts was beyond my expectation, and I believe that the future of Chinese opera relies on these young singers and young audiences," he says.