named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Kunqu Makeup Workshop
Demonstration and lecture on the traditional makeup and dressing process for Kunqu performers, presented at community venues like the Flushing Library
Kunqu Workshop
Offers classes in singing, movement, acting, flute, and stage makeup taught by professional Kunqu artists and musicians for the interested public
Summer Outdoor Concert
Series of outdoor performances held at Queens Museum Plaza in Flushing Meadows Corona Park
The Beauty of Kunqu: Spring Performance
Annual public performance showcasing classic Kunqu opera scenes, singing, and flute music, held at Flushing Town Hall
activities · 2 groups
What they do
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Traditional & Cultural Performing Arts 4 activities
- Development and preservation of Kunqu operaAdvances the practice and transmission of Kunqu, a classical Chinese musical drama, through integrated programming that includes workshops, lectures, demonstrations, performances, and research publications.
- Kunqu Workshop instructionOffers regular, long-term classes in singing, movement, acting, flute, and stage makeup for the general public through the Kunqu Workshop program, providing accessible training in traditional Chinese opera arts.
- Kunqu makeup and costume demonstration workshopsHosts public workshops demonstrating the traditional process of applying Kunqu stage makeup and dressing actors, led by resident artists such as Min Cheng and Yonghong Jia, at locations including Flushing Library.
- Public Kunqu performancesOrganizes and presents full-length Kunqu opera performances, lecture-demonstrations, and concert events for the public at venues across New York City, including Flushing Town Hall, Queens Museum Plaza, Snug Harbor’s New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden, and Hunter College. Events include themed productions such as "The Beauty of Kunqu: Spring Performance 2024" and "Echoes of Elegance: A Celebration of Kunqu Opera Classics," with historical performances dating back to 2012.
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Live Music Performances & Concerts 1 activity
- Student recitals and performance showcasesOrganizes internal and public-facing student recitals, including Mid-Year Concerts, Annual Performances, and special commemorative events such as the 35th-anniversary recital, to demonstrate learning outcomes and preserve Kunqu heritage within U.S. communities. These events feature classic Kunqu scenes, singing, and flute performances by students trained under resident teachers.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$201K
Contributions & grants$126K63%
Program service revenue$75K37%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$75
expenses
Total expenses$145K
Program expenses66%
Admin / overhead34%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$75K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$422K
Cash$422K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$422K
Liquid reserves34.8 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +37.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHUNG TEH TENG | PRESIDENT/BOARD DIRECTOR | 168 | $13K |
relationships · 16
Who they work with
- Asia Society Partner — Partnered on the production of The Orphan of Zhao
- China Institute Partner — Co-presented "Echoes of Elegance: A Celebration of Kunqu Opera Classics" in October 2024.
- China Institute in America Partner — Co-presented the event "Echoes of Elegance: A Celebration of Kunqu Opera Classics" on October 6, 2024
- Flushing High School Partner — Hosted the organization's public performance at its auditorium.
- Flushing Library Partner — Hosted a Kunqu makeup workshop at the library venue.
- John Liu Government — State Senator who facilitated the issuance of New York State Certificates of Recognition for founding members
- Kunqu Society of New York Network — Primary name variant of the organization, indicating self-referential network identity.
- Kunqu Society of New York Network — Primary organizational entity presenting and sustaining Kunqu theater performances.
- Lincoln Center Partner — Collaborated on productions including The Peony Pavilion and The Orphan of Zhao
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Primary funder and supervising agency since 1992
- Queens Public Library Partner — Provided performance and rehearsal space during the organization's founding period
- Shanghai Kunqu Troupe Partner — Collaborates with performers and artists from the Shanghai Kunqu Troupe in promoting Kunqu opera in the U.S.
- Snug Harbor Cultural Center Partner — Hosted Kunqu Society’s performance at the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden during the 2024 Autumn Moon Festival.
- Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theater Partner — Collaborated on a joint performance to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Overseas Kunqu Society.
- UNESCO Government — Recognized kunqu as a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity," which informs the Society's preservation mission.
- 美好老人中心 Partner — Hosted the memorial Kunqu recital event.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Adaptive Presentation for Contemporary Accessibilitymethodology: curated_scene_presentationBy curating selected scenes from classical Kunqu repertoire rather than full-length plays, the organization makes the art form more accessible to modern audiences because shorter, focused presentations lower entry barriers while preserving core aesthetic and artistic integrity.
- Cultural Preservation Through Integrated Education and Performancemethodology: cultural_education_through_performanceBy combining public performances with educational workshops, lectures, and demonstrations, the organization promotes deeper understanding and appreciation of Kunqu because experiential learning in context strengthens cultural retention and audience engagement.
- Cultural Transmission Through Intergenerational Trainingmethodology: master_apprentice_modelBy engaging master artists to teach students of all levels and showcasing their joint performances, the organization sustains Kunqu as a living art form because direct transmission from expert to learner ensures authenticity and continuity across generations.