The 10th NTD World Chinese Vocal Competition was held at the Merkin Hall of Kaufman Music Center in Manhattan, New York from August 29th to 31st, 2025. During the competition, NTD organized a master class to help the participants grow.
On August 31st, renowned mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade provided one-on-one coaching to seven participants before the final round of the vocal competition, attracting many professionals and vocal enthusiasts to observe and learn.
Von Stade meticulously guided each participant on their interpretation of lyrics, vocal techniques, stage presence, and posture based on their individual circumstances.
Von Stade, hailed as one of the outstanding lyric mezzo-sopranos of the 20th century, shared her expertise accumulated over more than 50 years in the music industry, having performed at esteemed venues such as the Metropolitan Opera, Salzburg Festival, and Paris Opera, known for her interpretations of Mozart and Rossini. Her recordings have earned Grammy Awards and multiple Grand Prix du Disque honors in France.
Upon the conclusion of the master class, Von Stade imparted valuable advice to the young artists, emphasizing the importance of kindness and gratitude in their artistic endeavors.
Von Stade remarked that each performance opportunity for a singer is priceless as they sing for the audience, highlighting the significance of expressing gratitude to the audience, backstage support, accompanists, and all staff involved in the production, even including photographers.
According to Von Stade, she sees tremendous potential in the young participants who took part in the NTD competition, stressing that possessing a beautiful voice is just the beginning, with the key lying in their willingness to put in the necessary effort and sacrifices.
Participants such as Adriana Da from Canada expressed gratitude for Von Stade’s insightful and effective teaching methods, particularly in areas like breath control and body relaxation for optimal vocal performance.
Jun Ting Liu from Taiwan, currently studying at a music school in Austria, reflected on Von Stade’s guidance, stating that it made him rethink his interpretation of a song, providing a unique perspective on the musical piece.
Morris Tien from Taiwan described the encounter with Von Stade as a miracle, acknowledging her ability to help connect his emotions with music, something he had struggled with previously.
American participant Shao Feng Zheng characterized Von Stade as a world-class and exceptional teacher, acknowledging the value of her guidance in addressing his individual pronunciation issues, showcasing her ability to deliver valuable lessons both through instruction and demonstration.
Xixin Cui, another American contestant, appreciated Von Stade’s emphasis on storytelling in music and the importance of emotions in performance, sharing lessons learned on conveying sentiments effectively while singing.
The participants expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn from Von Stade and gain invaluable insights to enhance their vocal abilities and stage presence, acknowledging the impact of her teachings on their musical journeys.