On March 16, 2025, a 15 members of Yale University’s "Spizzwinks" acapella group visited the Johns Hopkins University-Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies (HNC) to perform their repertoire and mingle with the HNC community.

Founded in 1914, the "Spizzwinks" are one of the oldest collegiate acapella groups in the world, comprising of Yale undergraduates in their freshman, sophomore, and junior years. The HNC became one of the first stops on their trip to China.

The acappella group visited the Center in the morning, and Deputy American Co-Director John Urban gave them an introduction to the HNC’s history various teaching and living facilities.

At the subsequent symposium, the HNC Co-Directors discussed the creation and development of the center, the diverse learning and living environment, and provided an overview of the certificate and master's programs. Spizzwinks members also provided an overview of the acapella group’s founding, and shared time-honored Spizzwinks traditions with the HNC community.

The highlight of the morning event was the performance of five songs by the "Spizzwinks", including the innovative arrangement of several famous Chinese songs including "Song of the True Man" and "Olive Tree", as well as a vivid interpretation of American ballads such as "Sixteen tons". The layered sound effects and members’ choreography amazed the audience.

In the afternoon, accompanied by HNC students, the acappella group visited famous scenic spots in Nanjing, such as the Dr.Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum, the Chinese Imperial Examination Museum, the Confucius Temple, and Laomendong.

At the Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum, the students stood at the highest point of the area, overlooking the city wall, taking in the beautiful spring scenery of Nanjing, while also learning about its history.

At the China Imperial Examination Museum, the acappella group also sang "Song of the True Man" after appreciating the Baiju opera, an intangible part of Nanjing's cultural heritage.

Their wonderful performance won the warm applause of the audience. Afterwards, the students visited the China Imperial Examination Museum to learn about the education system and talent selection mechanisms in ancient China.

After the museum visit, the students navigated through the lively Confucius Temple and took in a nighttime view of the Qinhuai River. During their day in Nanjing, these 15 students learned about the culture and history of Nanjing while enjoying the scenery. They were deeply impressed by the integration of tradition and modernity.

One student, Williams, from Louisiana said that he particularly liked Nanjing's hustle and bustle, which he found full of energy and enthusiasm. Another student, Danny, from California, said, "Nanjing is such a wonderful city and I love the history of Nanjing and the sunny spring weather."

Another member of the acappella group named Jiayang, said that his mother had studied at the HNC, so he was very excited to visit the city and school where his mother used to stay. "This feeling of connecting through time and space is very magical, and I hope to have the opportunity to come to Nanjing more often," said he.