Criteria and indicators of the formation of vocal skills in music students by means of Chinese opera

The article presents criterion-based diagnostic tools for assessing the formation of vocal skills in music students by means of Chinese opera. The relevance of the topic is determined by the need to move from recording separate vocal-technical parameters to analyzing an integral vocal and stage action that combines voice production, Chinese phonetic articulation, breathing, stage movement and artistic image. The aim of the article is to substantiate the criteria, indicators, diagnostic methods and levels of vocal skills formation in the process of mastering Chinese opera material. The methodological basis includes cultural, activity-based and axiological approaches, as well as provisions of vocal methodology, pedagogical diagnostics and studies of Chinese musical-theatrical art. The article identifies motivational-value, cognitive-learning and creative-performance criteria and characterizes corresponding indicators, diagnostic methods and levels of formation. The experimental work was carried out in 2022–2026 at the Faculty of Music of Qingdao University with the participation of 70 students and 20 teachers. The results make it possible to consider the proposed tools as a means of pedagogical monitoring, current and final assessment, and individual correction of professional vocal training.