NEW YORK—Thirty-one finalists performed for the last time on Sunday in the third annual International Classical Chinese Dance Competition.
The competition took place last weekend at the BMCC (Borough of Manhattan community College) Tribeca Performing Arts Center, and was hosted by New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV), whose mission is to revive traditional Chinese culture. The dance competition is part of their series of nine competitions featuring Chinese culinary art, figure painting, photography, violin, piano, vocal, Chinese martial arts, and Han couture fashion design.
The contestants were required to display their knowledge of traditional Chinese dance before a panel of six judges, all graduates of the top dance schools in mainland China and Taiwan.
The competition took place last weekend at the BMCC (Borough of Manhattan community College) Tribeca Performing Arts Center, and was hosted by New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV), whose mission is to revive traditional Chinese culture. The dance competition is part of their series of nine competitions featuring Chinese culinary art, figure painting, photography, violin, piano, vocal, Chinese martial arts, and Han couture fashion design.
The contestants were required to display their knowledge of traditional Chinese dance before a panel of six judges, all graduates of the top dance schools in mainland China and Taiwan.
Judge and classical Chinese dance specialist Yi Cao, summarized the purpose of the dance competition, “Human culture is deteriorating. Recently, I saw a classical Chinese dance competition in mainland China, the technical skills of the contestants were good, but the content of their pieces had no classical character. In seeking new stuff, they tend toward modern dance styles. Classical Chinese dance is rooted in Chinese traditional arts aesthetic. If this [deviant] trend continues, will classical Chinese dance disappear? This is what many artists don’t want to see.”
The characteristic of Chinese dance
With 5,000 years of history, the scope of Chinese classical dance is vast. The flips, spins, and tumbling techniques of Chinese dance render the dance more complex and expressive than any other dance form.
A defining characteristic of classical Chinese dance is its ability to convey a character’s internal landscape and storyline. Through their movements, dancers are able to express the spirit of what they are portraying—this is called “bearing.” Eyes, hands, form, and step, along with spirit, strength, and rhythm, are some key components in Chinese dance.
The characteristic of Chinese dance
With 5,000 years of history, the scope of Chinese classical dance is vast. The flips, spins, and tumbling techniques of Chinese dance render the dance more complex and expressive than any other dance form.
A defining characteristic of classical Chinese dance is its ability to convey a character’s internal landscape and storyline. Through their movements, dancers are able to express the spirit of what they are portraying—this is called “bearing.” Eyes, hands, form, and step, along with spirit, strength, and rhythm, are some key components in Chinese dance.
Legends come to life
Though contest regulations did not stipulate the theme for the dance entries, many contestants chose to portray figures from ancient Chinese history.
First place winner Tony Xue, and 2nd place winner Alison Chen, both of the junior division, depicted noted warriors in their youth. “It takes imagination,” said Chen, whose dance was titled “Little Mulan.”
“Most people know about her going to war, but few know her as a child. So I decided to portray her as a child who knows martial arts.”
Xue performed “Junior Han Xin,” which captures the famous Chinese general in his youth.
Chen and Xue both study at the Feitian Academy of the Arts, where they learn Chinese culture and history to complement their study and practice of dance.
“In class we learn about a lot of historical figures, legends, and traditional values,” said Chen. “The teachers teach us these things in the hopes that we can incorporate them into our dances to reflect positive things.”
Though contest regulations did not stipulate the theme for the dance entries, many contestants chose to portray figures from ancient Chinese history.
First place winner Tony Xue, and 2nd place winner Alison Chen, both of the junior division, depicted noted warriors in their youth. “It takes imagination,” said Chen, whose dance was titled “Little Mulan.”
“Most people know about her going to war, but few know her as a child. So I decided to portray her as a child who knows martial arts.”
Xue performed “Junior Han Xin,” which captures the famous Chinese general in his youth.
Chen and Xue both study at the Feitian Academy of the Arts, where they learn Chinese culture and history to complement their study and practice of dance.
“In class we learn about a lot of historical figures, legends, and traditional values,” said Chen. “The teachers teach us these things in the hopes that we can incorporate them into our dances to reflect positive things.”
Stars of Shen Yun
Most of the adult division contestants that made it to the final round were Shen Yun performers.
Shen Yun Performing Arts is a New York-based dance group consisting mainly of Chinese who grew up overseas. Last year, their three dance groups performed over 300 shows in 20 countries.
Before the awards ceremony, Shen Yun gave a performance at New Jersey’s State Theatre in New Brunswick. The audience feedback was astounding.
Among those present for the standing ovation after the show was drama teacher Ms. Maxwell. “It was fabulous, wonderful, very moving and absolutely beautiful,” she said. “It’s fabulous to hear the live orchestra.”
Her husband Mr. Rehner summed up their evening, “The program was very well done. Even for Broadway shows—I’ve never seen a better program—ever, and we see a lot of shows.”
Most of the adult division contestants that made it to the final round were Shen Yun performers.
Shen Yun Performing Arts is a New York-based dance group consisting mainly of Chinese who grew up overseas. Last year, their three dance groups performed over 300 shows in 20 countries.
Before the awards ceremony, Shen Yun gave a performance at New Jersey’s State Theatre in New Brunswick. The audience feedback was astounding.
Among those present for the standing ovation after the show was drama teacher Ms. Maxwell. “It was fabulous, wonderful, very moving and absolutely beautiful,” she said. “It’s fabulous to hear the live orchestra.”
Her husband Mr. Rehner summed up their evening, “The program was very well done. Even for Broadway shows—I’ve never seen a better program—ever, and we see a lot of shows.”
