Back by popular demand, the Chinese Undergraduate Student Association (CUSA) took over the Paul Robeson Cultural Center's Heritage Hall on Sunday night for the 2nd Annual Karaoke Night.
CUSA, which held the first karaoke competition last year, began planning for this year's competition in early October, after a number of members and students requested for the event's return.
"The pressure was on me to make sure it made a comeback," CUSA President Jun Yan said. "We had about 200 students attend last year's event and it proved to be very successful so we went on with the planning."
Yan (junior-finance) said the event's popularity had to do with karaoke being a popular thing in China, where most of the club's members come from directly.
"You don't see any karaoke bars or anything of the sort here in State College," Yan said. "This event draws a lot of students because it's something fun for them to do and they get to enjoy."
Tina Wang (freshman-division of undergraduate studies), who lives in China, said she was in attendance because of the way she could relate to the Chinese karaoke culture.
"Back home, me and my friends would love to attend these things," Wang said. "The competition is always kind of tough but you always have a good time in seeing people compete."
Registration for the competition began on Oct. 21 and was open for two weeks, Yan said. A total of 40 applicants were accepted this year and were then put through a singing trial last week, in which the contestants were cut down to 16. Wang said she was looking forward to the competition because of the talent the contestants had to offer.
"The competition looks tough here, they're all very good," Wang said.
A total of seven judges were present at the event, ranging from professors, students and even professional singers from China. Yan said the judges were there to provide a real-life karaoke bar atmosphere that can be found in China.
The 16 contestants were then split into a red group and a blue group by drawing a card that had the designated color and number. The contestants faced off against other contestants with the same number, and the judges chose the best performer by raising a red or blue card, representing the contestant.
Monetary prizes and trophies were awarded for first, second and third place. The audience also got the chance to vote for the "Most Popular Singer."
Itha Cao said she looked forward to the event this year more after getting cut in the trial process last year.
"I tried to sing and play the piano last year which kind of confused me when I performed for them," said Cao (sophomore-agricultural business management and community, environment and development).
Cao, who is an 18-year State College resident but whose parents are from China, said she has gotten more of her experience than just competing for fun.
"I originally tried out to improve my Chinese since most of the songs are in Chinese, but I've also met a lot of great people in the process," Cao said. "This event here is a great way for students to express themselves and show to others a unique side of our Chinese culture."
