This Sunday on June 28th, 2026, young singers from all across the Pacific Northwest region gathered at a stage in Bellevue for the regional auditions of 天籁心声 (Tian Lai Xin Sheng). The selected performers will be given the opportunity to fly to China, get professional coaching, and perform on a massive, international television broadcast: Beijing’s BRTV 卡酷少儿 (KAKU Children’s Channel). For many of these young singers, ranging from ages 5 to 16, this represents their first time auditioning for a major global television network.

A defining theme of the Seattle/Bellevue division is the beautiful cultural blend of the contestants. As Chinese American youth, these singers use music to celebrate their heritage and their culture. Many contestants shared their experiences of practicing Mandarin songs and lyrics at home with family. Their song choices blended cultures and traditions together, ranging from old-style Chinese melodies to modern pop songs.



The pre-audition atmosphere was filled with a wide range of emotions. When asked how they were feeling, 10-year-olds Emily Lin and Stephanie Yang admitted that they were both equally nervous and excited. Meanwhile, 16-year-old Stella Peterson commented, “No, I’m not really nervous. I’m kind of just here!” Yet no matter if performers felt nervous, excited, or totally calm, each of them still stepped up onto the stage and showcased their immense talent with confidence and emotion.

The auditorium was filled with supportive parents and coaches as they waited with their children for auditions to begin. Reflecting on her daughter’s dedication, 15-year-old Lily Yin’s mother shared, “I’m just really proud of how she pushes herself to practice and do well. Practices don’t really feel like a chore to her because she enjoys it so much, and her talent and passion for singing really makes me proud. Lily has also been to baseball games to sing the national anthem, so her willingness to go out and participate in these events really continues to surprise me.” The immense effort these young performers have invested, paired with their pure love for the art, made the day an admirable showcase of local youth talent.

That effort, passion, and even nerves did not go unnoticed by the judges. 吴小明老师 (Teacher Xiaoming Wu)

recognizes the young singers’ talents, reminding them, “Don’t be nervous. I’ve seen their audition tapes, and I know they can all sing very well. Just relax!” 古雅瑜老师 (Teacher Yayu Khoe) also shares her insight, “Singing has been really important to me, as I’ve been singing since I was very young. As a child, my family’s form of entertainment was sitting around the table and singing together, so it’s really inspiring to see so many young singers with the same passion and love for singing. I hope the performers today all have fun, enjoy themselves, and just be happy while they’re on stage!”

As for what judges wanted to see in the young performers, 王洋老师 (Teacher Wang Yang)

explains, “I’m mainly looking for how the performers present themselves onstage, and how they choose to present their song. Skill is only one part of the whole picture, and I believe if they can deliver their song in a way that feels whole and complete, then they did a good job.” Offering advice on handling stage fright, he adds, “Everyone gets nervous. Parents, coaches…they get nervous, too. I think the best way to manage it is to practice being onstage and treat every practice like a performance. This way, they have more confidence going into competitions and they don’t get as nervous.”

The 天籁心声 (Tian Lai Xin Sheng) regional auditions proved to be more than just a simple talent show — it served as a vibrant celebration of culture, community, music, and youth ability. By courageously stepping onto the Bellevue stage, these young contestants not only showcased their extreme talent as singers but also honored their heritage and bridged two cultures together with music. No matter the result, whether they’re chosen to fly to Beijing or not, one thing is certain: the futures of these singers are bright, with countless opportunities and a highly promising journey ahead of them.