An associate professor at Shanxi University showed that there is more to him than just brains by warbling his way to gold in the China auditions of the Italy Teresa Belloc International Vocal Competition on Sept 13.

Zheng Bin, who works in the university’s Academy of Music, showed his students how it’s done by belting out three well-known pieces during his audition, including Ah, Mes Amis, widely recognized as one of the toughest arias for tenors.

His larynx-straining performance received high praise from the panel of five professional judges headed by the president of Italy’s top music school, Conservatorio Statale Di Musica Giuseppe Verdi (Torino).

Zheng edged out 63 other contestants from seven different countries to win the auditions, and he also qualified for the finals of the competition along with nine other contestants.

The academic’s success in this world-famous vocal competition is also a boon for Shanxi University, and a demonstration of its increasing impact around the world.

The Italy Teresa Belloc International Vocal Competition was named after the renowned Italian composer and contralto Teresa Belloc.

It has developed into an important platform for vocal professionals and students throughout the world to compete and communicate with each other.

Zheng Bin, associate professor at Shanxi University’s Academy of Music, performs in the Italy Teresa Belloc International Vocal Competition China Audition on Sept 13, 2016. [Photo/sxu.edu.cn]

Zheng Bin was awarded with the first place certificate on Sept 13, 2016. [Photo/sxu.edu.cn]