On February 1st (last Sunday), the “Fitness Drum Corps” founded and led by Teacher Li Yunhua held the “2026 Student Achievement Presentation” at the South Bay Overseas Chinese Education Center, attracting hundreds of overseas compatriots to come and watch. The atmosphere was lively with thunderous drumming and a full house.
The presentation lasted about 90 minutes that day, with 31 students presenting 15 programs, showcasing a diverse range of content.
In addition to the majestic drum performances, there were also performances such as “Cinderella” dance, Wing Chun, flute and piano playing, fully displaying the integration of drum art with diverse forms of performance.
One of the most touching performances came from the children of the “Friends of Chinese Special Needs (FCSN)” special education class. Under the patient guidance of Teacher Li Yunhua, these special young drummers played with precision and focus, earning a warm applause from the audience.
Li Yunhua’s son, Allen, specially returned to the Bay Area from out of town to perform a dance “So Much Better” with the students, adding a heartwarming highlight to the event.
The event invited well-known Bay Area host He Taiguang as the host, whose humorous and witty style kept the audience laughing and applauding continuously.
Li Yunhua told Epoch Times that the Fitness Drum Corps, founded in 2010, has been active for over a decade. The members share a deep bond, with some accompanying since the establishment of the team, while others wholeheartedly joined after just half a year. She emphasized that the drum corps is not only a physical exercise but also an art, with “harmony” and “unity” being the core spirits that have sustained the team’s operation for years.
Student of the drum corps for three years, Yan Jiahui, told Epoch Times that drumming, combined with physical rhythm, allowed her to fully immerse herself in the performance. It not only trained her physical strength but also served as the best outlet for emotions and energy. She said that although she felt tired after drumming, her spirit was particularly joyful, helping to release stress and balance her mind and body.
The Fitness Drum Corps, centered around Japanese-style taiko drums, upholds the philosophy of “fitness as the goal, drums as the tool, and valuing harmony among people.” They have been active in major Chinese communities in the Bay Area, alumni associations, Chinese sports events, national flag-raising ceremonies, and have also been invited to participate in Buddhist celebrations, conveying care and respect through solemn drum beats.
In addition to promoting arts, since the end of 2023, the drum corps has also ventured into special education drumming courses. Through taiko training, they strengthen the hand-eye coordination and concentration of special needs children, receiving praise from parents and students and fully demonstrating their original intention of cultivating the community and giving back to society through art.
Besides the achievement presentation, the Fitness Drum Corps has also launched a “New Class Enrollment Information Session” simultaneously, and arranged two free trial drumming sessions, inviting those interested in taiko, sports, and team performances to experience the charm of drumming firsthand. If participants decide to join after the trial, they can complete registration and payment on-site, with classes officially starting on March 1st.
– Trial session times: February 15, February 22 (Sundays) from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
– Location: 451 Los Coches Street, Milpitas, CA
– Registration form: https://tinyurl.com/y58e3k96 ◇