As vibrant lights dance across the stage, the rock band kicks off their set. At the center, the lead guitarist's fingers fly across the fretboard. The drummer plays with a mix of grace and power. Their voices, charged with passion, echo through the venue, captivating the crowd.

At first glance, they seem like any other rock band. But their gray hair reveals their uniqueness – the band of more than 20 members are nearly 70 years old on average. 

Dong Yunrong, now 81, is the founder and guitarist of the band. She has been singing for more than 15 years. 

Dong Yunrong plays the guitar on a TV show. (Photo provided to People's Daily)

A new beginning 

Dong picked up the guitar in 2007 after her husband passed away. Learning how to play was challenging, especially for an elderly woman with declining cognitive and motor functions. Though her guitar class initially had over 30 students, only four remained after one semester, one of whom was Dong.

Dong practiced at least two hours every day, carrying music scores with her wherever she went. She even stuck notes on the stove to memorize chords and lyrics while cooking and washing dishes. "I remember once I got so absorbed in reading the music score that I missed my stop and was late picking up my granddaughter," Dong laughed. 

Dong Yunrong serves as a torchbearer for the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2022. (Photo provided to People's Daily)

Music helped Dong overcome the grief and reconnect with the world. She began uploading videos of herself playing and singing pop songs, amassing millions of views. "It was music that healed me and gave me the courage to start again," Dong admitted. 

Breaking age barriers

After two years of practice, Dong formed a band with four classmates. They named it Quyuan Fenghe, after one of the ten scenic spots of West Lake in Hangzhou where they often rehearsed.

As their performance videos went viral, they were invited to appear on popular TV shows like CCTV's Avenue of Stars and China's Got Talent. Initially, they focused on covering ballads, but a production team suggested they try rock – a genre that resonates more with younger audiences.

Dong Yunrong and her band perform on stage. (Photo provided to People's Daily)

Switching to a strikingly different style was far from easy. They had to adopt rock-style outfits, learn new instruments like electric guitar and bass, and change their performance style. Through relentless practice, they transcended age barriers and captured the spirit of rock. 

"Rock brings us joy and makes us feel young again," Dong said. "People often think rock is for the younger generation, but we want to prove that the elderly can rock too."

Dong Yunrong plays the guitar by West Lake in Hangzhou. (Photo provided to People's Daily)

Voices for senior

Empowered by music, Dong decided to spread that joy to others. 

In 2011, she and her granddaughter, along with two other band members, performed at a school for the blind in Hangzhou. "After that performance, I realized I could bring hope and joy to others just by playing guitar and singing," Dong said, recalling how the students waved their hands and sang along.

Since then, Dong and her band have devoted themselves to public service. They performed in communities, nursing homes and orphanages, bringing comfort to veterans, seniors with dementia and others in need. 

Dong Yunrong and other band members participate in a public welfare activity organized by the "Blue Vest" volunteer group. (Photo provided to People's Daily)

Last year, the band collaborated with Hangzhou's "Blue Vest" volunteer group to help elderly people learn how to use smartphones. They even wrote a song based on their own experiences, encouraging older generations to embrace life with energy and stay current with modern trends. 

"We want to convey the voice of the elderly – we're trying to keep up with the times, even if we're moving a bit slower," Dong said proudly.