NTD’s 10th International Classical Chinese Dance Competition is on the horizon. Zhang Minghui, an expert and examiner of classical Chinese dance, is one of the judges of this prestigious event. We hear what she is looking for from participants.
“What is required of a dance performer is that your body can speak through your art to express inner feelings … so that’s a very high standard.”
She explains that to excel in this ancient art form, dancers should embrace the 5,000 years of Chinese culture and be able to tell stories of history and people.
“To perform well in classical Chinese dance, one must love Chinese culture and strive to enhance their understanding of it.”
Ms. Zhang says she’s looking for more than just great technique. Although classical Chinese dance requires basic skills like leaps, flips, and other difficult tumbling techniques, it’s nothing like gymnastics.
“We are not gymnastics or acrobatics. Dancing is created to portray characters, that is, only when a dancer is both highly cultivated and skillful can they achieve a balance of strength and gentleness in their performances.”
The NTD Dance Competition promotes authentic traditional dancing, featuring pure goodness and beauty. Ms. Zhang says that dancers must improve themselves as a person before they can display beauty from the inside out.
“If a person’s mind is righteous, then the things he chooses and the way he learns will also be righteous. Being a dancer is like self-cultivation. That means you have to let go of the negatives and highlight the positives so you can become better.”
Classical Chinese dance was widely introduced to the West by Shen Yun Performing Arts.
Artists from Shen Yun will compete with participants from around the world at upcoming events.
“Participating in the competition is an opportunity to improve, but I think these dancers should be very experienced, so I am looking forward to seeing them. This event is a very meaningful way to let the world and more people know about Chinese classical dance and Chinese culture.”
The competition is open to the public on Sept. 9 and 10 at Purchase College in New York.
