Dance aficionados seeing this first-of-its-kind event sense something special on the horizon after viewing the first International Chinese Classical Dance Completion at New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.
Benjamin Kimitch, a dance major at New York University, said that he was really amazed to see a packed theater for something so new in New York.
He said that he was a theater major, studied classical Chinese dance and was now a dance major.
"This is such a beautiful art form" he said and returned after watching the semi-finals on Saturday. Bridgitte Arle, a dancer from New York, said "I think it was amazing to have this type of competition here in New York.
The level of talent is unbelievable." She said that some dances made her laugh and some made her cry "because they were so beautiful."
She believed this was only the beginning for the emergence of traditional Chinese art and culture. Several in the audience commented the tremendous training required to affect the viewer so deeply.
Although some of the competitors followed the required techniques, they did not perform "Wu Dao" which is true classical Chinese dance.
They used more martial arts techniques.
While the form—precisely executed techniques—was applied, the spirit has a higher importance.
It's the inner spirit that captivates and captures the audience.
The more spirit the higher the quality.
A young dancer—"Mimi"— demonstrated an inner strength even as her demeanor was peaceful as a calm lake.
The long history of China' divinely-inspired culture has bestowed Chinese classical dance with a wide range of expression.
Its rich language of movement and superb technique are able to depict any story, character, or emotion.
Its technique is comprehensive, it contains myriad of postures and it has lasting appeal.
Here, the audience will see China's five thousand years of civilization.
Chinese dance is also about finding balance between up and down, breathing, coming and going while every movement requires the three elements—the circle, twist and leaning forward.
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