A teacher and his pupils in the middle of a music lesson.[Photo Provided To China Daily]

In the beginning, the project organizers just donated musical instruments. But when they paid return visits to the schools, they found that some music teachers did not know how to use the instruments and that the students lacked instruction.

Therefore, the organizer formulated a plan to train music teachers and students. It is called Leading Geese and Stars of the Future.

Under the plan, teachers can learn piano accompaniment and vocal music from famous musicians and the students can have lessons from professional music teachers.

They can also enjoy live art performances.

Shi Yan believes that training gives the teachers and students inspiration.

She speaks highly of the charity project saying that it has become a system with not only donations but also return visits that benefit students in rural areas.

"Maybe a new star is rising from among them," she says.

Many people and companies dedicated to charity and education in Dalian are supporting the project. Among them, property giant Yida Group is the biggest contributor, donating 600,000 yuan every year.

Bao Hongkui, vice-president of Yida, says: "Love Music Classroom corresponds perfectly with Yida's charitable work. Sucha good project deserves continuous donations."

Shi Yan loves traveling with the group to the rural schools.

"Were I not really in love with it, I would have found many reasons to avoid the fatigue of a long journey," she says, "They are not doing it on impulse or simple charity, instead, they really want to do something."

During a trip in September, the group drove more than 2,000 kilometers over five days and donated 10 music rooms in Chaoyang, Liaoning province and five in Tongliao, Inner Mongolia.

According to Pingping (the stage name of Chen Zhiping), deputy inspector of Dalian Music Radio, dozens of companies and more than 100 teachers have volunteered to help.

"Shi is one of the best and most enthusiastic," she says.

Together with the charity team, volunteers have also gone to the rural areas and influenced people there to pay attention to musical education in rural areas.