The tenth “World Chinese Classical Singing Competition” organized by NTD Television was held on August 30, 2025 at the Merkin Hall of Kaufman Music Center in New York. Contestants from various countries and regions showcased the pure beauty of Chinese vocal arts, presenting the essence of the Chinese language and culture on the international stage.
The competition also attracted prominent figures from various sectors in the greater New York area. Soh Young Lee-Segredo, founder of the New York Cultural Council, a former opera singer with 45 years of experience as an educator, producer, and organizer of cultural events, attended the competition with her family and friends. She often performs at Carnegie Hall and expressed her admiration for the competition.
Lee-Segredo described the NTD competition as a global gathering of artists, noting the unique voices, musical forms, and artistic performances brought by the contestants. She emphasized the significant role of live vocal competitions organized by NTD in an era dominated by AI, highlighting the importance of human expression and the irreplaceable societal value of such events.
She strongly endorsed the competition’s mission of promoting traditional music, stating that while people may enjoy pop music and modern dance, traditional music must be preserved and promoted. She considered it an honor to be part of such a meaningful endeavor.
Despite not understanding Chinese, Lee-Segredo expressed her enjoyment of the emotional expression in the contestants’ Chinese songs, emphasizing the power of music to evoke vitality and facilitate emotional expression. She stressed the profound impact of art in social and emotional domains.
Reflecting on the performances, Lee-Segredo was reminded of her younger days performing Korean songs and the US national anthem on a small stage in medical school. She took notes during the competition, a habit she cultivated since her school days, focusing on vocal color, stage presence, and song selection.
She underscored that singing is not merely about vocalizing but integrating emotions and storytelling. Recalling an elderly Korean singer’s comment on her performance likening it to narrating her life story, she emphasized the storytelling aspect of singing.
Lee-Segredo envisioned a bright future for the winners of the NTD competition, allowing them to access more stages, broaden the reach of Chinese songs, and perform at various festivals. She believed that participation in the competition would be a valuable learning experience for contestants, emphasizing the essence of continuous learning in life.
She emphasized that life is about learning every day and winning and losing are part of the journey. Losing should be seen as an opportunity for self-reflection and improvement, while winning should not give rise to arrogance, as no one can always emerge victorious in life’s classroom. She viewed losing as an excellent opportunity for self-evaluation and further growth.