Rural teacher cultivates musical dreams of children in mountainous township

Li Shuying guides the choir members' practice at Dulongjiang Nine-Year Comprehensive School in Dulongjiang Township of Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Sept. 8, 2026.

In a classroom at Dulongjiang Nine-Year Comprehensive School, 27-year-old music teacher Li Shuying guided students in chorus practice.

Li came to Dulongjiang, a township deep in the Hengduan Mountains, from Baoshan City in Yunnan to teach music. She trains and manages the school's Firefly Choir.

The choir once suspended practice because of scheduling conflicts and a shortage of teaching staff. After Li's arrival, the choir practiced two to three times a week, and its singing once again resounded across campus. Today, the choir has 43 members and is jointly guided by Li and a Dulong ethnic music teacher named Di Songmei.

"I hope to cultivate children's ability to discover beauty through music," Li said, "By enjoying music of various styles, children can embrace and learn about different cultures, gradually forming their own understanding of beauty."

In recent years, the choir has performed in cities like Shanghai and Kunming, and won awards in prefectural and provincial competitions.

Li observed that as performance opportunities increased, the originally shy and reserved children gradually became confident and cheerful, and dared to express themselves. The dream of music also gradually took root and grew in the children's hearts.

"As long as the children want to sing, I will continue to teach them," Li said, adding that she wants more people to know them and hear their voices in the future. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Li Shuying gives a lecture in a music class at Dulongjiang Nine-Year Comprehensive School in Dulongjiang Township of Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Sept. 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

A drone photo taken on Sept. 6, 2026 shows the Dulongjiang Nine-Year Comprehensive School in Dulongjiang Township of Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Li Shuying (L, back) guides the choir members' practice at Dulongjiang Nine-Year Comprehensive School in Dulongjiang Township of Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Sept. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Li Shuying distributes headwear to choir members for their performances at Dulongjiang Nine-Year Comprehensive School in Dulongjiang Township of Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Sept. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Li Shuying checks the students' study at Dulongjiang Nine-Year Comprehensive School in Dulongjiang Township of Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Sept. 8, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Li Shuying (C) runs with students in the morning at Dulongjiang Nine-Year Comprehensive School in Dulongjiang Township of Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Sept. 8, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Li Shuying gives a lecture in a music class at Dulongjiang Nine-Year Comprehensive School in Dulongjiang Township of Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Sept. 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Li Shuying plays music for the students after a music class at Dulongjiang Nine-Year Comprehensive School in Dulongjiang Township of Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Sept. 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Choir members practice at Dulongjiang Nine-Year Comprehensive School in Dulongjiang Township of Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Sept. 8, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Li Shuying poses for a group photo with part of the choir members at Dulongjiang Nine-Year Comprehensive School in Dulongjiang Township of Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Sept. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Li Shuying teaches the students to sing in a music class at Dulongjiang Nine-Year Comprehensive School in Dulongjiang Township of Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Sept. 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)