Captivated by the world of traditional opera, high school student Xue Jinze believes that when the glamour fades, only art and passion remain. From admirer to performer, he has found his own way to share the timeless beauty of Peking Opera with a new generation. In this talk, he reveals how devotion can bridge the past and the present through art. Xue Jinze, a student in the IB program at High School Affiliated to Nanjing Normal University, has been fascinated by traditional Chinese performing arts since primary school, developing a particular passion for Peking Opera in junior high. Over the past six years, he has progressed from a curious observer to an active performer—learning acting skills and even taking the stage in an excerpt from Wen Zhao Pass for a school charity event. He has also founded Peking Opera and Kunqu clubs at his school, connecting classmates with artists from professional troupes. In his TEDx talk, he will explore how Peking Opera can resonate with today’s youth, why traditional operas like it continue to appeal to the younger generation, and what key artistic features make this art form uniquely captivating. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx