The tenth “World Chinese Vocal Art Singing Competition” organized by NTD Television will be held at the Kaufman Music Center in Manhattan, New York from August 29th to 31st, 2025. This competition, which aims to promote traditional Chinese culture of purity, goodness, and beauty, has once again attracted talented vocalists from around the world.
To help contestants fully grasp the purpose and direction of the competition, we interviewed one of the judges, Tianli, a soprano from the Shen Yun Performing Arts group. She discussed the essence of vocal art, the selection of songs, stage presence, inner cultivation, and how the competition promotes traditional culture through vocal art.
According to Tianli, singing is a universal language that can touch people’s hearts with a pure, beautiful, and pleasant sound, regardless of cultural background. She emphasized that a true good voice not only has a moving tone and pure sound quality but also reflects a pure heart. She mentioned, “Your voice cannot deceive others. When your heart is pure, your voice will naturally be pure and touching; conversely, even with exceptional skills, you cannot truly move the audience.”
She stressed that many believe a good voice is “natural,” but without noble character, it is challenging to become a great singer. She highlighted the importance of elevating inner qualities and morality, akin to a process of spiritual cultivation, to achieve genuine artistry.
In Tianli’s view, the essence of classical vocal art comes from the transmission of culture from the divine. She explained, “The human body itself is a gifted instrument, and when one can utilize this instrument in the most accurate and natural vocal position, it is using the voice bestowed by the divine, which is the core of classical vocal art.”
However, many modern popular singing techniques are gradually departing from this concept. She mentioned that growling, throat singing, and other techniques do not demonstrate divinity. These deviations reflect a decline in contemporary moral values and aesthetics, contradicting the essence of classical vocal art.
She believes that true vocal music has the power to “purify the soul,” which is why this competition emphasizes purity, goodness, and beauty.
Regarding the judging criteria for this competition, Tianli expressed that in vocal music, “voice” comes first, and “music” follows. Technical aspects include tone, sound quality, vocal positioning, and head resonance, rather than mere showmanship. Even with a good tone, poor vocal control can affect overall performance, and judges will consider the overall technical aspects.
However, she also pointed out that the true value of vocal music goes beyond technique. “True vocal art involves understanding, interpretation, and emotional integration with the piece. What emotions do you want to convey? How do you express your inner feelings? These are essential criteria for scoring.”
This year’s competition requires contestants to perform foreign opera arias and Chinese art songs. Tianli explained that this arrangement aims to provide a broader platform. She said, “The foreign opera arias represent Western classical culture, and we hope contestants can showcase the essence of Western vocal music through them. Simultaneously, we require contestants to perform Chinese art songs to display the characteristics of Eastern culture. As part of promoting traditional culture, we believe that both East and West have their classical arts traditions, which perfectly embodies the diversity of vocal art.”
Regarding song choices, Tianli mentioned that the list of songs provided by the organizers is a reference, and contestants can freely choose suitable pieces but should avoid political or party-related content.
She emphasized that the difficulty of the song does not necessarily make it better; the key is whether it suits the individual. “Simple songs can actually test the contestant’s emotional expression, while large opera arias, though challenging, may become too focused on technique and lose emotion. Highlighting strengths and avoiding weaknesses to find pieces that showcase one’s unique qualities is also a way to demonstrate a contestant’s abilities.”
For singing Chinese songs with a bel canto technique, Tianli advised, “Articulate clearly to ensure the audience understands the lyrics.”
She explained that the vocal positions for bel canto technique and traditional Chinese ancient melodies are fundamentally similar, with no inherent differences in how their voices are produced. “From a technical perspective, both are consistent; the differences lie in cultural connotations and the approach to musical expression.”
Regarding stage presence and attire etiquette, Tianli stressed the importance of adhering to tradition. “Men should exude gentlemanly demeanor, and women should demonstrate elegance and grace. Attire-wise, men wearing tailcoats or suits and women wearing evening gowns are basic requirements.”
She mentioned that this is not only a sign of respect for art but also a dignified presentation for the audience and culture. “We emphasize the restoration and display of this traditional aesthetics because vocal art itself carries cultural spirit.”
“The competition is not just a showcase of skills but also a test of mindset,” Tianli noted. Some contestants may be highly skilled but underperform on stage due to nervousness, while others may have average off-stage performances but excel under the spotlight.
She advised contestants to participate with a mindset of “gaining without seeking”: “Do not focus too much on winning or losing but stabilize your inner self and showcase the best of your abilities.”
Finally, Tianli emphasized that the significance of NTD’s vocal competition lies in “promoting orthodox vocal art.” She said, “Through this international stage, we hope to help more people understand what true traditional vocal music and cultural values are.”
“It is not just a competition; it is a demonstration and inheritance of traditional culture. We look forward to outstanding Chinese vocalists from around the world participating in this grand artistic event that promotes purity, goodness, and beauty.”