Crabapples are in full bloom with falling petals creating a profusion of colors on the campus of Liaoning Normal University on a sunny summer morning. A long-haired international student in a peach-pink Chinese classical dance costume is dancing gracefully among the flowers, displaying the beauty of the East.

She is Simone Aparicio, an international student from Mexico. Practicing Chinese classical dance is her first activity every morning.

Chinese classical dance is an art accumulated from thousands of years of Chinese dance traditions, possessing profound cultural deposits and unique aesthetic values. Chinese classical dance emphasizes the unity of form and spirit, the integration of body and mind, and the harmony between the internal and external aspects, thereby reflecting the dancer’s physical rhythm. It is adept at expressing emotions and is a dance genre that combines emotions and scenes. It carries the long and profound aesthetic traditions of Chinese culture and is increasingly popular among young audiences and overseas viewers.

Simone Aparicio was impressed by a Chinese classical dance “Tage” performed by several Chinese dancers at a cultural gala in her hometown. “The dancers were like fairies. Every frown and smile, every movement exuded charm, and I also wanted to be like them.” This wish was like a seed that took root and sprouted in her heart.

Simone Aparicio finally got the chance to fulfill her dream of learning Chinese classical dance after coming to Liaoning. “I was mentally prepared to endure hardships in learning Chinese dance,” she said. Having three dance classes a week, she follows her dance teacher Wang Xuan to learn the techniques, come rain or shine. From overcoming the language barrier to adapting to the dullness and monotony of the training, she continuously pursues and comprehends the infinite charm of traditional Chinese dance.

“The poetry of movement is the foundation and soul of Chinese classical dance. Only by coordinating the breath, expressions, movements, and rhythms can one perform well,” Simone Aparicio said, feeling deeply touched. “Dance” is the constant keyword in her WeChat Moments. In order to refine her dance skills, she learns from Chinese classical dance videos every day, and goes to the theater to watch the performances of professional dance troupes. “Chinese classical dance carries the long and profound aesthetic traditions of Chinese culture. Chinese classical dance is a way to convey an aesthetic and imagination.”

As the music starts, she gently tiptoes, her hand gestures change, and her body sways gracefully… In a rehearsal room at the school, Simone Aparicio is practicing the Chinese classical dance called Entering the Picturesque Jiangnan. In a few weeks, she will participate in the campus dance competition together with international students from five other countries.

“Learning Chinese classical dance in Liaoning is a wonderful experience that has opened a new door in my life,” she said, “I often tell my family and friends my learning story. I want more people to understand Chinese culture. I will keep learning and dancing, fully enjoying the lingering charm of the dance that has come through the long history of ancient China.”