A young and vibrant music teacher has captivated students at the "University for Seniors," with his energetic spirit and warm character helping forge strong bonds with senior learners.
Cai Mingjie, 23, is a vocal music teacher at a university for seniors in Qingshanhu District of Nanchang City, east China's Jiangxi Province. His class, held every Tuesday morning for students with an average age of 65, has been described by learners as "the one they are most reluctant to miss" and "the one they are most unwilling to leave."
"Every week, I look forward to attending Cai's class on Tuesday," said Cai Zhengying, one of the senior learners.
"In class, we sing and dance happily. We feel truly joyful. After attending his class, we all feel more energetic," said Wang Jing, another learner.
When selecting songs, Cai often chooses those favored by senior learners and incorporates popular singing techniques to give these classics a younger, more energetic feel.
"I choose those songs which everyone likes and is willing to sing. They help make the seniors feel younger and more fashionable. That is my guiding principle," Cai said.
Cai's vitality has also had a contagious effect on his senior students.
"His energy has inspired us older folks. When we attend his class, we feel young again -- just as lively and energetic as he is. We really like, and even love, this teacher," said Cheng Xiaona, a student at the university.
Cai was born in a remote village in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. In 2021, he was admitted to Nanchang University, marking his first time leaving the countryside to study and live in a big city.
Since his sophomore year, Cai has been teaching vocal music at the University for Seniors. He said it was the senior learners in his class who brought vitality to his life in Nanchang. Their care and warmth helped ease the loneliness of living in an unfamiliar city away from home.
At his graduation concert, many senior learners came to support him.
"What impressed me the most was my graduation concert, because my parents were not in Nanchang, many of my senior learners came to cheer me up, making me the one who had the most 'family' in this concert hall. On that day, a senior lady suddenly told me that they actually didn't care how wonderful the performance was. In fact, they just regarded me as their child, like when their own children were going to graduate and have graduation concerts. As family, they must come and support me," said Cai.
"Our relationship is very deep, which goes beyond the feelings of teachers and students. Usually, we sometimes joke and tell him that we hope he could settle down in Nanchang, so we will introduce him to a girlfriend -- we just want to find an excuse to keep him," said Nie Youshan, a senior learner.
Energetic Gen Z vocal music teacher wins hearts at "University for Seniors"
