Xing Guoqin, a 56-year-old cleaner, played the piano in evening dress at a special gala for International Women's Day on a local TV station.
Xing, who works at the Tsinghua University Center for Arts Education in Beijing, performed the patriotic song “My Chinese Heart” at the show.
Xing plays grand piano in evening dress at the TV gala show (Video: Shandong TV)
In 2022 Xing played the piano in her cleaner’s uniform at the school’s annual new year party. The video of her performance went viral on the Chinese internet.
“I wanted to dress prettier,” she said standing on stage again. “I am satisfied with my costume today.”
The audience replied her dress looked good when the host invited comments.
At first Xing could not read music and had no professional training.
Xing's last formal music lesson was at her junior high school.
"Every week someone would bring in the organ and give us a music lesson," she said. "Sometimes they would let us press it and listen to its sound, and that was my happiest moment."
Xing practices on an old out-of-tune piano in her spare time. She figures out the fingers and chords herself.
Xing cleans sinks at the Tsinghua University Center for Arts Education. (Photo: Tsinghua University)
"You should feel grateful to no one but yourself, since it is yourself that wins this stage, all the applause and people's attention," the gala host said to Xing.
"While you are young, learn what you want to learn and make sure there are no regrets," Xing said in an early interview with Tsinghua University.
Xing Guoqin enjoys playing the piano in her spare time (Photo: Tsinghua University)