Ordos singer Chen Hongyu competes at the 2019 Ada Sari International Vocal Artistry Competition, which concluded in Poland on May 3. [Photo/WeChat account of Ordos Reported]

Ordos singer Chen Hongyu was given the Honorable Mention Award at the 2019 Ada Sari International Vocal Artistry Competition, which concluded in Poland on May 3. 

This year, the Ada Sari Vocal Artistry Competition received a record 81 entries from 17 countries including Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, China, Sweden, Germany, Swaziland, Austria, Belarus, France, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, and Lithuania.

After four rounds of competition, Chen became the first Chinese singer to make it to the finals since the event was first launched in 1985. 

The event, which has taken place every other year since 1985, was created by Professor Helena Łazarska, former head of the Vocal Department at the Krakow Academy of Music. 

Chen was born in the city of Ordos in Inner Mongolia autonomous region and received his bachelor’s degree from the Tianjin Conservatory of Music.

He then earned double master’s degrees from the Liszt School of Music Weimar and Mannheim University of Music and Performing Arts in Germany and a doctoral degree from the University of Music and Drama Saarbrücken.

Chen secured second place at the 53rd Antonin Dvorak International Singing Competition, making him the first male Chinese singer in 53 years to place at the event.

In March 2019, Chen was hired as a supervisor for students enrolled in the vocal music master’s program in the University of Szeged’s Department of Music. 

He has won 12 awards at international vocal music competitions, earning several records for Chinese singers.

Chen Hongyu (far right) poses for a photo with other participants of the 2019 Ada Sari International Vocal Artistry Competition, which concluded in Poland on May 3. [Photo/WeChat account of Ordos Reported]