The Search
The Search Is On!
The Best of Asian Festival Performing Arts
The Best of Asian Festival Performing Arts is a competitive showcase of Asian talents, open to Asian Americans of all ages. Encompassing all facets of the performing arts (traditional and contemporary vocal and instrumental music performances and folk and modern dance), “The Best” advocates for the preservation and enhancement of Asian cultures.
A History of Cultural Competitions
Dr. Nini Bautista, Co-Chair of the Charlotte Asian Festival, founded the juried cultural competitions held at the Fesitval in order to engage youth in promoting, preserving, and sharing Asian cultural heritage—including the current “Best of Asian Performing Arts.”
The Search
for the Best Performing Arts
2022–present
2024
1. First Prize/ India
Kathak Dance
Naatyajali School of Dance
Ms Rugmini Sreejith & Dance Team
2. Second Place/ Thailand
Menaral Buchayuni
Thai Dance( solo)
Ms Andear Saiyatsathit
3. Third Place/ Cambodia
Moon Love Dance ( solo)
Ms Srey Rath
4. Honorable Mention / China
Cawei Dance
Charlotte Chinese Academy
Ms Isabel Huang & Dance Team
2022
Champions
Filipina Dance Team
Asian Music & Dance Fest
2016–2021
2018
Commy Jiang/ China
2017
Christian Antonio/ Filipino
2016
Evan Xie/ China
Miss Asian Festival/Asia Carolinas
2003-2015
2014
Frances Clare Rebollo / Filipina
Lynn Nicole Lee / Chinese
Bella Fauzi / Indonesia
Sophia Escobal/ Filipina / Ms. Scholarship
Zuri Wong/ Hongkong / Ms. Talent
2013
Nupur Charyalu / Indian
Julia Gong / Chinese
Rizka Zahrro/ Indonesia / Ms Scholarship
Allysa Abalos/ Community Service / Filipina Representative
June Nean / Cambodia / Cultural Advocate
Judy Wu/ China / Ms Talent
2012
Monique Tiamzon / Filipina
Auria Fauzi / Indonesian
2011
Ms Asia Carolinas
Genevieve Cordery / Filipina American
Caroline Bahar / Indonesian
Tiffani Dang / Vietnamese
2010
Leslie Rose Esparagoza / Filipina
Puja Shah / Indian
Porntip Saiyatsathit / Thai
2009
Athidi Guthikondi / Indian
Pooja Kilgore / Indian
Kelsey Waddell / Filipina
2008
Joanna Miranda / Filipina
Monica Kweman/ Indonesian
Angela Yun/ Chinese
2007
Grace Whitt / Filipina
Monthawee Eileen Klaiklung / Thai
Sophia Zhang / Chinese
2006
Jacqueline Fallar / Filipina
Grace Lertserikul / Thai
Zion Ko now Dr Lamm / Korean
2005
Emily Justin Supil / Filipina
Linda Amazon Philavanh / Thai
Brithny Boyue Zhang ? Chinese
2004
Bao Tran Le / Vietnamese
Camille Mangana tied with
Chia king Melody Yuan
2003
1st Prize Michelle Pak / Korean
2nd Prize Victoria Lynn Penilla / Filipina
3rd Prize Angela Chang / Chinese