On August 31, 2025, the 10th New Tang Dynasty “World Chinese Opera Art Vocal Competition” concluded successfully at the Kaufman Music Center’s Merkin Hall in Manhattan, New York, with Shi Song Lin winning the gold award.
In his acceptance speech after the competition, Shi Song Lin expressed gratitude to his vocal coach for the guidance and the supporters behind him. He emphasized that, “This is not just one person’s victory, but an achievement we all share together.”
Shi Song Lin said, “Holding this gold award trophy in my hands fills me with immense pride and honor. It is a glory that every competing singer aspires to achieve.”
“I have so many emotions at this moment…” Shi Song Lin specially thanked his vocal coach, saying, “It was the coach who taught me how to sing correctly and led me to where I am today. At this moment, all I can see in my mind is the coach’s figure, and this feeling is beyond words.”
Shi Song Lin emphasized that this award belongs not only to him personally but to all those who supported and accompanied him in his journey: “My coach, my colleagues, friends around me, and the staff of New Tang Dynasty TV… everyone contributed behind the scenes. I feel that this is not just one person’s victory, but an achievement we all share together.”
Shi Song Lin graduated from the Voice Performance Department of the National Music Academy of Vietnam and was a soloist in the ballet troupe of the National Opera House of Vietnam. He now serves as a tenor singer in the Shen Yun Art Troupe.
This was Shi Song Lin’s second time participating in the New Tang Dynasty Vocal Competition, having won the silver award in the previous competition. He mentioned, “The memories of my first competition still deeply resonate in my heart. This year’s competition was better organized, with more on-site support and a very professional process, making it feel like a truly high-level international vocal competition.”
On Sunday, August 31, Shi Song Lin performed the Chinese song “Don’t Fail” and the famous aria “E lucevan le stelle” from Giacomo Puccini’s opera “Tosca” in the final round. His singing received wide acclaim.
Many viewers believe that Shi Song Lin’s win was well-deserved. New York soprano singer and creative writer Rashida Ashley commented, “His voice is very powerful, filling the entire hall. For a vocal performer, this is indeed rare.”
She added, “His voice has a penetrating quality, and even though I may not fully understand the lyrics’ meanings, I can still sense the profound emotions he conveys, which impresses me.”
When asked why his singing touches people’s hearts, Shi Song Lin shared, “For a piece to move people, the composition itself must be excellent, with captivating content, beautiful music, and profound imagery. Then, the artist conveys emotions through learning and expressing them through singing.”
“This is the essence of singing. When you sing them, their meaning becomes even more profound… Especially when you sing, the emotions carried by the voice always reach the depths of everyone’s hearts,” he said.
He added that when a singer resonates with a piece, the audience naturally resonates as well: “As we sing, the audience can feel joy, pride, sadness, or sorrow along with us because the emotions conveyed by the singing establish an invisible connection between us and the listeners.”
He expressed his love for singing Chinese songs with deep meanings, saying, “I’m not saying that one language is better than another; when I sing in Chinese, I feel I can fully showcase the skills I’ve learned. Chinese songs have this characteristic – their contents are profound and carry deep meanings. When singing them, emotions can reach into everyone’s hearts. I love singing Chinese songs.”
Shi Song Lin believes that organizing such competitions by New Tang Dynasty is meaningful, not only promoting the development of vocal arts but also showcasing the talent and spirit of Chinese artists to the world.
He said, “Participating in the New Tang Dynasty Vocal Competition is a wonderful experience beneficial for every participant.” “Because this competition requires high professional skills, especially in bel canto, it means you must really sing well. The process of participating is a journey of growth, giving people the opportunity to prepare, settle, practice, and learn from it.”
In conclusion, he said, “This is a great and valuable stage. I hope there will be more spaces like this in the future, allowing the voices of those who truly love vocal arts to be heard.”