An actor puts on makeup before a Sichuan opera show at a local theater in Chengdu. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/China Daily]

Overseas students, from Sichuan University, came to the institute to learn the more orthodox skills, including recitation, acting, singing and acrobatics, during their summer vacation.

With the increasing popularity of the performing arts, more parents are sending their children to an opera school and the Chengdu School of Culture and Art enrolled a record of 34 students majoring in Sichuan Opera this year.

However, Lei said this school is not there to produce the next opera star or master - it's meant to reignite people's passion about this performing art that originated in the province around the 18th century and ensure its survival.

"When times were bad I insisted, despite all the aches and pains, that I would continue, "Yu said, displaying the spirit that has helped the art form turn the corner and enjoy a new era of success. "I'm glad I stuck it out and didn't give up, as the good times eventually came."

The institute is going to the US in October to perform in several cities, including Washington and New York.

"Besides performances, a seminar will also be held to further promote opera culture, "Lei said. "The audience will enjoy operas performed by top-class actors and actresses but we also want to facilitate more people-to-people exchanges especially to promote youth programs between China and the US."

To make sure the US audience better understand the context of the opera, slight refinements have been made and the work of a great US writer will be performed.