Performing Arts Group Brings Ancient Chinese Culture To Life

China was once known as "Shen Zhou" or "Land of the Divine," as people once believed Chinese culture to be a gift from the heavens. Virtue, piety and human dignity were emphasized in daily life. Sadly, over time much of this great culture has been lost.

However, a New York-based dance troupe called Divine Performing Arts has set out to rediscover these forgotten ancient traditions and present their essence in a series of performances that celebrate China's divinely inspired culture.

Since its inception in 2006, the troupe has performed in over 30 cities on some of the world's great stages, including, Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Le Palais des Congres in Paris, and Berlin's Internationales Congress Centrum—reaching a total audience of 200,000.

Divine Performing Arts dancers are trained in both western ballet and Chinese classical dances. China has a heritage of over 5,000 years and traditional dance techniques have been passed down through the ages. The techniques consist of distinctive movements, rhythms and postures as well as tumbling and acrobatic movements similar to martial arts.

In ancient China it was believed that skills are improved and honed through many lifetimes, until the artist becomes highly skilled, and many Chinese legends allude to this.

One such artist is Hsieh Pei-Jong, a native of Taiwan who first began learning the piano, viola, and ballet at the tender age of six. After coming to United States, she earned bachelor's and master's degrees in piano performance.

Since 2004 Hsieh has been involved in the production of the Chinese New Year Spectacular hosted by New Tang Dynasty TV. She was the Production Manager of the 2006 Chinese New Year Spectacular staged at Radio City Musical Hall, New York, and its North America tour. The production at Radio City was rated a "Top 10 Show" by Billboard magazine in 2006.

In a recent interview with NTDTV, Hsieh spoke about the troupe's experience with Spectacular tour.

NTDTV: What does the Divine Performing Arts Troupe strive to bring about?

Hsieh: Beauty, pure beauty that deeply resonates in everyone's heart—people from all walks of life, regardless of nationality, cultural background, occupations, social status, education level, life experience, gender, age. …Many who've seen our show were brought to tears. This happened in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.

People were touched by a performance about an ancient Chinese Buddhist monk who endured misunderstandings and vilification after doing a good deed. They were captivated by the feminine beauty of Manchu Court Lady's dance from hundreds of years ago, and were moved by the masculine enthusiasm of the Mongolian Horsemen's dance. The performances were so up close and personal for the audiences, and the purity and beauty left attendees in a state of great appreciation. The show's grandeur transcends culture, geography or any other human boundary.

NTDTV: What satisfies you the most as a performing artist?

Hsieh: Seeing the audience struck by a moment of magnificence when the curtain is raised. That moment makes the years of rigorous training, tireless practice in solitude, and sleepless nights worthwhile. All of my previous life prepared me to help with the Spectacular.

NTDTV: What makes the Divine Performing Arts Troupe unique?

Hsieh: The dedication and harmony between the artists, performers and all staff. Whether back stage or front stage, everybody works for the same purpose — to give people the best possible performance. No matter what anyone does as an individual, it is not done for themselves, but for all for the audience members.

Tenor Guan Guimin, who also performs with the Divine Performing Arts, was dubbed China's "King of Tenors" due to his powerful voice. By integrating the bel canto technique with Chinese vocal methods, Guan has mastered a wide range of styles. Many of the songs premiered and popularized by him in the 1980s and 1990s have earned a place in 20th Century China's musical tradition.

Guan is a graduate of China's Central Conservatory of Music, and has served as the Artistic Director of the China-U.S. Artists' Association in the U.S.

NTDTV: For you, what is the essence of music?

"King of Tenors" Guan Guimin will lend his vocal talents to this year's Chinese New Year Spectacular. (NTDTV)

Guan: It is the energy to bring out the best in humanity. Sublime music far transcends the notes or technical skill. It is something very deep and profound. The origins of music in Chinese history can be traced back more than 5,000 years.

The Chinese language is graphical and each character usually tells a story. The character for "music" is an instrument with a wooden frame on top on which there is a chime, and there are silk strings on both sides of the chime. The character is based on the legend of the Yellow Emperor, an ancestor of the Chinese people, who asked that this instrument be played to bring back souls of soldiers who died in battle. After the music was played, the soldiers were brought to life. Hence, in traditional Chinese culture, music is considered to have divine healing properties. It heals and cures in the spiritual dimension, just as today's medicine treats the physical body.

NTDTV: Will people who don't have Chinese background appreciate your songs and the show?

Guan: Yes. In 2007, I traveled across four continents to almost every city of the tour, performing for hundreds of thousands of audience members who do not speak Chinese or who have never been exposed to Chinese culture. Their comprehension and appreciation of my songs and the show was touching.

In Australia, a Western woman by the name of Melissa said she was moved to tears by my song "Finding Myself" and felt the song helped her find her true self. In Canada, a Western man said that he was also brought to tears, and he gained a completely new understanding about Chinese culture. He felt that traditional Chinese culture had become so relevant for him.

NTDTV: What makes an artist good in music?

Guan: In ancient China, there was a student who wanted to learn music from a great master who lived on a mountain. The master taught him some basic skills and asked him to practice. The student practiced for many years and wanted the master to teach him more advanced skills. However, the master did not teach him any further techniques. The student felt very discouraged. When he decided to leave, his master sang a song to bid him farewell. The master's song resounded throughout the valley and forest, echoing even from the leaves on the trees. The student knelt down to the master and asked to stay. He now understood that music was more than just skill. Years of cultivating virtue can effect a transcendental power to touch souls.