In Guangzhou's Tianhe district, the distinctive percussion of lion dancing can be heard. This isn't any troupe: here, post-00s and -10s children and teens are practicing the horse stance, and lion dancing on a stool and high bar. Every member of the youth lion dancing team dreams of the day they'll get to dance on stage. Photos by Parker Zheng.

Members of the Tianhe district youth lion dancing team practice lion dancing on a pile of stools. The youngsters' nightly practice sessions take place inside a temple.

An important posture in Chinese martial arts, the horse stance builds muscles in the legs and back. It is also the default stance for lion dancers.

Becoming a lion dancer requires discipline and perseverance, but the training sessions are also fun and rewarding.

The troupe's sifu teaches the horse stance to a young disciple.

Young lion dancers practice movements on a long stool. Lion dancing is normally carried out by two dancers, one of whom manipulates the head while the other does the tail.

While trying something similar would terrify most people, dancing on a high bar is par for the course for this young lion dancer.