In the preliminary round of this year’s New Tang Dynasty “World Classical Chinese Dance Competition,” 13-year-old Taiwanese participant Chen Yuqing and 14-year-old American participant Ji Yuyao were among the youngest contestants, each bringing a different interpretation of classical Chinese dance.
Both of them competed in the junior female division on September 11, with one showcasing a mix of heroic and tender emotions through sword dance, and the other embodying a princess’s tale, highlighting the diverse styles of classical Chinese dance.
Chen and Ji both showed their deep passion and dedication to classical Chinese dance despite their young age, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
Thirteen-year-old Chen Yuqing, participating in a competition in New York for the first time, shared her simple reason for loving classical Chinese dance, “Because I enjoy dancing a lot. Some of my classmates from dance class competed here before and did so well, which inspired me.”
For this competition, Chen chose the sword dance piece “Heroine,” saying, “Since I’ve learned sword fighting before, I decided to perform a sword dance this time. I find heroines cool and they match my personality. I am not that gentle type, so I feel this powerful dance suits me better.”
In order to embody her character, Chen not only captured the valiant spirit of the heroine in her movements but also worked hard to showcase her tender side. “During the mid-part rest section, I need to express the gentle emotions of the heroine.”
The preparation process was not easy for her. Chen recalled, “I started practicing since May. Because I didn’t have a teacher guiding me for a long period during summer vacation, I had to practice on my own, which didn’t yield good results. After school started, the teacher spent a lot of time correcting my movements, and I kept striving. Before each class, I would dance for the whole class to see, gradually making progress.” She added, “My classmates knew I was participating, and they were very supportive.”
Stepping onto this international stage for the first time, Chen’s biggest takeaway was broadening her perspective. “I’m really happy to be here. Seeing so many excellent contestants from around the world, just watching them can teach me a lot.”
“For example, their leg movements are steady, the flips are smooth, and their movements are very soft. In comparison, I am a bit stiff, but this is a great learning opportunity for me.”
Fourteen-year-old Ji Yuyao started learning dance at the age of seven or eight. One of her favorite pieces is “Spring Dawn,” which she described as full of joy, with beautiful music. However, for this competition, she brought another interesting piece, the story of a princess sneaking out of the palace to enjoy a lantern festival with friends, facing a choice between staying or going back home.
Growing up, Ji Yuyao had a deep love for Chinese history and traditional stories. She said, “My dad used to tell me Chinese stories a lot when I was young, sometimes during dinner. Those stories have profound meanings and rich historical backgrounds. That’s what I am most interested in.”
For her, the beauty of classical Chinese dance lies in the stories and emotions it conveys. “Every movement in dance carries emotions. I like to express myself through dance. For example, in this dance piece, when I have to leave in the end, I need to do so with a smile because I had a joyful day outside.”
Time became Ji’s biggest challenge during the preparation process. “I spent a month learning this dance piece at a summer camp, continued practicing after returning home, but due to restrictions, I didn’t make much progress. Though I also had a coach, the time was too short. So, at 2 a.m. today, I came to the competition venue to practice and make the most of my time.”
Now in ninth grade, Ji Yuyao has been persistent in learning Chinese because she hopes to better understand the cultural background behind the dance. “Chinese traditional culture allows me to delve deeper into the emotions of the character and helps me express them more accurately.”
Reflecting on the benefits of participating in the competition, Ji Yuyao said, “The greatest advantage is being able to see so many high-level performances. Moreover, even though I have shortcomings, there is no need to worry too much because these experiences themselves are very precious.”