On August 31st, the 10th NTD Global Chinese Vocal Competition came to a successful close at Merkin Hall of Kaufman Music Center in Manhattan, New York. The final competition was filled with excitement as contestants poured their hearts and skills into their performances, showcasing the beauty of vocal music to the fullest. After intense competition, the competition crowned 1 gold prize, 3 silver prizes, 2 bronze prizes, and 4 excellence awards.
The gold prize was awarded to Sei Song Lim from Vietnam; silver prizes were shared by Zheng Shaofeng, Kevin Zhang, and Ji Yun Bae from South Korea; bronze prizes went to Adriana Da and Yuan Ling.
Helen Li, the deputy director of the NTD competition, expressed, “In the past few days, contestants from around the world have demonstrated pure vocal techniques and sincere dedication to the arts, not only allowing the audience to enjoy high-quality performances but also conveying beautiful messages through music. The competition is also a form of cultural and traditional heritage, and we are grateful for the contestants’ recognition of the competition’s values.”
She said, “NTD hopes to create more opportunities for contestants through our media resources and industry connections, while also promoting a return to tradition and spreading kindness.”
Gold prize winner Sei Song Lim expressed his excitement after winning: “I feel incredibly proud and honored to hold this gold prize trophy in my hands. This is the glory that every contestant aspires to achieve.”
“This moment is truly overwhelming…” He especially thanked his vocal coach, Mr. D.F., the artistic director of Shen Yun Performing Arts. He said, “It is my teacher who taught me how to sing correctly and led me to this point today. When I stand on stage and sing every lyric, his figure comes to mind. I am truly touched.”
Sei Song Lim mentioned that this award belongs not only to him but to all those who supported and accompanied him: “My teacher, my colleagues, friends around me, and NTD staff… everyone contributed behind the scenes. I feel that this is not just one person’s victory, but the collective achievement of all of us.”
He believes that NTD hosting such a competition is very meaningful, not only promoting the development of vocal arts but also showcasing the talent and spirit of Chinese artists to the world.
“This is a great and very valuable stage. I hope there will be more spaces like this in the future, giving true lovers of vocal arts the chance to be heard.”
Zheng Shaofeng from the United States won the silver prize. He also thanked the competition for providing a platform for Chinese vocalists to grow.
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to showcase myself in this competition, and I am very grateful to all those who supported and helped me. This is truly a great learning platform.”
Zheng Shaofeng, who won the bronze prize in the previous competition, acknowledged the growth he has experienced on an international stage this time: “I feel that I can now enjoy the stage more than before and am less nervous. Being able to stand on this international stage is truly a continuous journey of growth.”
Regarding the organization and arrangement of this year’s competition, Zheng Shaofeng expressed gratitude and excitement towards the invitation of internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade to host a masterclass.
“Especially when Frederica von Stade told us in the end, ‘The two most important principles are kindness and gratitude,’ I was deeply moved. These are not only important for our careers but also fundamental to being a good person.”
Ji Yun Bae, currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Vocal Music at Hanyang University in South Korea, won a silver prize in the competition. She said, “I didn’t expect to win. I am especially happy. Being able to participate in such a big event, I feel honored, grateful, and thankful for the platform provided by the organizers. Thank you all!”
She specifically mentioned that the NTD competition was different from past competitions she had participated in. She said, “The atmosphere among the contestants was very friendly, supportive, and helpful, which I found very positive.”
Regarding her biggest takeaway from the competition, Ji Yun said, “This competition has broadened my horizons.” “The competition made me realize that singing is not just about showcasing skills but also requires a heart of gratitude and kindness.”
Internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano and Emmy Award winner Frederica von Stade praised the contestants as “overflowing with talent,” saying she “saw tremendous potential.”
During the masterclass, Frederica gave careful guidance to the 7 contestants, from emotional expression to technique, from posture and performance gestures to breathing, and from the meaning and content of the music, encouraging students to think about these aspects.
She emphasized the importance of the values upheld by the NTD competition, stating, “We now need vocal music more than ever. Any effort to protect, encourage, and praise the vocal arts is extremely precious.”
She expressed her sincere admiration for everyone’s efforts and felt the care and support the staff provided to the contestants, saying, “They (contestants) are like being looked after by many guardian angels, and I am willing to be their grandmother.”
Rashida Ashley, a soprano singer and creative writer from New York, was also impressed after watching the competition: “This competition was impressive, and I believe all contestants perfectly interpreted their works.”
She admitted that the competition brought her a new cultural experience: “It was a very valuable learning experience for me.”
Regarding gold prize winner Sei Song Lim’s performance, Rashida praised, “His voice carries great power, interpreting with great penetration. Even if I didn’t fully understand the lyrics’ meaning, he successfully conveyed an emotion that penetrates through the heaviness and darkness, which impressed me.”
Eric Shi, a professional violin graduate and businessman from New York, highly praised the overall performance of the finals, stating that the contestants “put in their best efforts and performed even more excellently.” He particularly appreciated gold prize winner Sei Song Lim’s performance: “Whether it’s singing skills, costumes, or song selection, his overall performance was outstanding and of top-notch quality.”
Eric added, “His singing is very enjoyable, truly enchanting. His singing skills are extremely exquisite, displaying high professionalism in both costume styling and stage manners.”
He also expressed admiration for silver prize winner Ji Yun Bae: “Her voice is bright, with a style leaning towards academic, and her mastery of techniques is very good.”
Rashida concluded by praising the NTD TV-sponsored vocal competition for upholding the principles of “purity, kindness, and beauty,” believing that such values have a positive impact on society. She said, “Watching this competition, I am also undergoing a change.”