On August 29, 2025, the 10th World Chinese Vocal Art Singing Competition organized by New Tang Dynasty Television kicked off at the Merkin Hall of Kaufman Music Center in New York. American contestant Chen Zixi participated in the preliminary rounds that day. This was her second time participating in the competition, and she believed that taking part in the event itself was a valuable learning experience, with the ranking not being the most important aspect to her.
The global Chinese vocal art singing competition organized by New Tang Dynasty Television aims to promote the pure, virtuous, and beautiful traditional vocal art, attracting vocal artists from different countries around the world to participate.
Chen Zixi, originally studying film and television acting, developed a love for singing and had been seeking vocal training. Seven years ago, she boldly signed up for the 2018 World Chinese Vocal Art Singing Competition organized by New Tang Dynasty.
After years of training and a year of preparation, Chen Zixi returned to New York to compete again. This time, she believed that the ranking was “not important” to her. “It’s a very good opportunity for learning here,” she said. “I think having a platform to compete in Chinese in the United States is very rare, and we can learn a lot here as there are many world-class competitors who come. So, without having to go far, we can see many performances by world-class talented singers right here.”
According to the competition rules, Chen Zixi prepared four songs: two Western opera arias and two Chinese songs. “This year, foreign language songs are required. So for me, foreign language songs are more challenging, and I specifically found an Italian teacher to teach me, studying for one or two years.”
“I love singing Chinese songs. In fact, Chinese songs are the most challenging, as pronunciation can be tricky. However, I feel that Chinese songs, being my native language, can better express my inner feelings,” Chen Zixi said.
For this competition, she prepared two Chinese art songs: “Ding Feng Bo- Mo Ting Chuan Lin Da Ye Sheng” (shortened as “Ding Feng Bo”) and “Chang Ming Nu- Chun Ri Yan”.
The song “Ding Feng Bo- Mo Ting Chuan Lin Da Ye Sheng” is a piece by the Song Dynasty literary figure Su Shi, expressing philosophical views on life with deep and rich imagery, embodying the grand aspirations of an upright scholar in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.
“Chang Ming Nu- Chun Ri Yan” is a poem written by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period Southern Tang poet Feng Yan for her husband: “Spring feast, one cup of green wine, sing a song. I pray to the heavens: may my husband live a thousand years, may I remain healthy, may we be like the swallows on the beam, seeing each other year after year.” Through a toast, the poem conveys the protagonist’s pure desire for enduring companionship rather than wealth and glory.
Regarding the first song “Ding Feng Bo”, which was performed by the previous winner, Chen Zixi mentioned, “I think his performance was very impressive. His rendition of ‘Ding Feng Bo’ was the best I’ve seen on various online platforms, and I personally think it’s the best version so far. That’s why I have been watching his videos and learning from them.”
She believed that understanding the essence of the song choices and interpreting traditional vocal art could resonate with the audience on a deeper level.
Chen Zixi perceived that traditional vocal art benefited both body and soul. “I think singing is actually the best form of exercise. Firstly, it’s an expression of emotions; secondly, when you sing, it’s not just one organ in your body moving but the coordination of your whole body.”
She shared that when she feels tired, she sings a couple of notes. “Sometimes after singing, I find that my eyes are brighter and I feel more refreshed,” she said. “It makes me feel energetic, and sometimes when I am feeling upset, I sing to interpret my songs, which helps express some of my emotions. So, I love singing because I feel it can articulate what’s inside me.”
“And there are some nice melodies, sometimes when you are feeling down, but when you hear these melodies, it can uplift your mood. So, I think music has a healing effect,” she said. “People today are under a lot of stress, so I believe listening to better music, traditional music, contributes to both physical and mental well-being.”
Listening to traditional music can help people momentarily forget their worries. She said, “Music is so magical, different types of music can touch different groups of people and provide them with the emotional support they need.”
Chen Zixi hopes to share the beauty of traditional vocal art with the audience through this competition opportunity.