In 2012, Shi came up with an idea to create a flower-drum dance performance that consists of five parts, telling the history of Fengyang.

"You are not just appreciating the actions and singing, but more important, you can also learn the history", said Zhang, the director.

Majoring in music, Zhang helped to bring some modern characteristics to the troupe, such as letting males join.

In September 2013, the team performed a new program to welcome the freshmen.

"It was a huge success, as dozens of the freshmen flocked to join the team after the performance", said Zhang.

In 2015, the ASTU students' flower-drum dance art troupe was founded.

"An art troupe exclusively for the flower-drum dance meant we could enjoy more support from the university," said Zhang.

In July, thousands of people from Hefei, capital of Anhui, flocked to the Anhui Center of the Performing Arts to enjoy a show given by the ASTU troupe.

It was the first time a show exclusively focused on the Fengyang flower-drum dance had been performed in the provincial capital.

"At the end of the performance, the audience burst into thunderous applause, which made us very proud of ourselves," said Li.

Contact the writer at zhulixin@chinadaily.com.cn