NEW YORK—New Tang Dynasty Television in 2007 launched a series of annual competitions for artists of Chinese descent from around the world.
What began as platforms for Chinese chefs, martial artists, musicians, dancers, painters, and fashion designers to showcase the best of traditional culture has expanded to a broader contestant base. Further bridging the cultural gap between East and West, most NTD competitions are open now to contestants of all ethnicities.
Piano: Oct. 3–5
For the first time, the NTD Piano Competition is open to non-Chinese contestants. Also for the first time, the final round will be live-streamed via satellite on the nonprofit Chinese television station.Competing before a panel of judges at Baruch College, pianists will show off their Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Schubert, Brahms, and Bach.
Preliminaries are closed to the public, but tickets to the semifinals and finals, as well as to the master class, are free with RSVP. Contest winners will perform in the Future Stars Recital at Carnegie Hall Oct. 5. Tickets are $12 and $25.
During the three-day event at Baruch College, Frank & Camille’s West Pianos will sponsor 10 pianos from leading makers for guests to try and buy for a discount.
Chinese Dance: Oct. 10–12
Taking place at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, the International Classical Chinese Dance Competition draws dancers from all over the world.Classical Chinese dance has a history of 5,000 years and is the most complete dance system in the world apart from ballet. Dancers will show off their leaps, jumps, and tumbling techniques, as well as their understanding of the innate grace and bearing of Chinese culture.
Winners of this competition represent the truest practitioners of this ancient tradition, and are often recruited to join the prestigious Shen Yun Performing Arts, the only globally touring American performing arts company to showcase true classical Chinese dance.
The final round, followed by the awards ceremony, will be held on Oct. 12. Prior to unveiling the winners, however, five male and five female winners from previous years will perform. A $25 ticket to the finals is also valid for the Oct. 11 semifinals.
Figure Painting: Dec. 2–7
In the four years that the figure painting competition has been held, it has garnered many repeat participants. Many artists plan artworks specifically to enter this competition. The last three editions were only for artists of Chinese descent. Now it is open to everyone.The competition accepts submissions created within the last 10 years, as long as the pieces are created using classical, realistic, and academic methods.
Many older artists, seasoned professionals who would not normally compete, have favored this competition for its mission to revive the humanistic core of realist painting. By focusing on the human figure, the competition encourages artists to portray the human spirit.
The exhibition will be held Dec. 2–7 in a Manhattan gallery, exact location to be announced. The catalog will be launched during the exhibit, and some reproductions of finalists’ work will be made available for sale. Lectures about painting technique will be held, and details are to be announced.
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