Vibrant Shanghai hums with Party innovators' energy

Piano teacher creates harmony

Fan Tianqian, a piano teacher whose students range in age from 3 to over 70, has been making waves not only in music education but also in community management.

Fan, 30, opened her piano studio on vibrant and historic Yuyuan Road in downtown Changning district in 2021, bringing music tutoring to a street known for its youthful energy.

In 2024, Fan took on a new role as the secretary of a Party branch in the Jiangsu Road neighborhood. Such branches were established to extend the Party's influence into new economy sectors, connecting community resources to invigorate the neighborhood and strengthen grassroots Party organizations.

Fan's area of responsibility includes over 80 small businesses along the street, ranging from restaurants and trendy fashion boutiques to creative crafts and pet-related enterprises. She visits each shop to meet the owners and understand their needs, offering genuine assistance and suggesting improvements.

For instance, a bookstore located on the second floor of a building asked for more street-level displays to attract foot traffic. Another business wanted better integration into the neighborhood's promotional activities to increase brand visibility.

"Proactive connections and exploration of needs are crucial for startups and individual entrepreneurs. They can determine whether they survive the tough early stages and enter a positive growth cycle," said Fan.

That same year, she attended a city-level meeting where she realized the potential for having an even bigger impact. The discussion emphasized that Party-building efforts in new economy fields required both outreach and attraction. Fan knew she needed to use her expertise to draw people in.

Yuyuan Road and its lanes are home to a high concentration of young, dynamic individuals, much like Fan herself. With her background in music, Fan organized art activities that resonated with the character of the neighborhood.

She has helped organize several community events, including piano flash mobs, which have strengthened the bonds between shop owners and drawn more visitors to the area.

Last fall, Fan launched a music course at a local community senior college, teaching retirees to play the piano and perform well-known revolutionary songs. "I love seeing seniors leading fulfilling lives post-retirement. It's truly inspiring," she said.

Reflecting on her experience as a Party branch secretary, Fan believes she herself has been the greatest beneficiary.

"I no longer feel the loneliness I once did. I've transformed from a small business owner into someone with a strong sense of belonging to this community. Being involved in its governance has changed my perspective entirely. Walking down this street every day now feels completely different," she said.