Lion dance tradition roars back to life

"It took us half a year to learn the basic skills and various moves. We practice so hard that we are always drenched in sweat and sometimes even injure ourselves," Huang said.

Dancing on the poles makes the art a gripping spectacle. There are 21 poles of heights between 1.2 meters and 2.5 meters with up to 1.8 meters between them. A single false step will send the performers tumbling to the ground below.

The hard work paid off. From squatting to prancing, and making a life-size lion puppet that can blink in accord with their manipulation of hidden poles, the brothers' lion dance improved, which earned them opportunities to perform at celebrations like the grand openings of businesses, and to compete against other local lion dance troupes.

Besides dancing, youngsters in the school also learn to make costumes. "We make lion heads, tails and legs in our school's workshop under the guidance of professionals," said Qin Jinmin, a 16-year-old drummer, who often accompanies Huang and Qin during dance practices.