"The Dong's Grand Song is a cultural treasure that carries the memories of our ancestors. But it is not an antique in a museum; it is a living, communicative civilization," says Yang, who made her stage debut at age 6.

After graduating, she returned to her hometown and established weekend public welfare classes to teach the Grand Song to children in her village and surrounding areas.

In 2023, she founded the ensemble Wuyue Chan'ge, a music group of graduates and students with a music major in Guizhou's schools, mostly born in the 1990s and 2000s. The group's average age is 25.

Aside from performing, the group visits Dong villages to collect ancient songs at risk of being forgotten. They also use social media to teach Dong music to a broader audience.

"I grew up listening to Dong songs. To me, they are a love that runs deep in my bones," says Luo Youmei, a member of the ensemble and graduate of the music and dance department at Guizhou Minzu University.

"When I learned that the band was dedicated to preserving and promoting Dong songs, it immediately resonated with my own aspirations. Dong songs are cultural treasures that face a crisis of inheritance gaps. I believe their preservation must honor traditional charm while embracing bold innovations."

Contact the writers at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn