The 10th NTD International Classical Chinese Dance Competition is currently underway in Purchase, New York. Friday is the preliminary round of the adult division. Contestants showcased their skills and their understanding of Chinese culture through narrative dance pieces.
“For me, the biggest takeaway is how to maintain the pure mindset to demonstrate what you have learned on stage,” said Grace Huang, a competitor in the adult division.
“Participating is a great way to further improve my dance and technical skills,” said Carol Huang, a student at Fei Tian College. She won first place two times in the female junior division. She believes that there’s no end to an artist’s journey and decided to come back again this year.
She performed a piece that tells the story of a Falun Gong practitioner in China. The character faces persecution by the Chinese Communist Party, but overcomes fear to expose the evils of the regime.
“I think this is a very meaningful story. And through this competition, it’s also a way to let many people know the truth about Falun Gong.”
The purpose of NTD’s competition is to promote authentic dance that embodies pure goodness, and pure beauty. Contestants uphold these principles and hope to carry on traditional Chinese culture through dance.
“I like to read some classical Chinese literature,” said Ms. Grace Huang. “I think it’s helpful for dance because you will understand the moral qualities of ancient Chinese people, such as ‘benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faith.’ Because I believe that dance is something that emphasizes inner cultivation, your character needs to be good so that you can give the audience a comfortable feeling on stage.”
“Truly good art can inspire people’s kindness,” said Ms. Carol Huang. “It’s not just about watching a performance; it’s about providing positive guidance to people.”
The semifinals for both the junior division and the adult division will kick off Saturday, with the finals on Sunday. Tickets for both days are available at dance.ntdtv.com. The competition will also be broadcast on NTD, EpochTV, and video video-sharing platform Gan Jing World.
