GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas—For Lunar New Year, 19-year-old Katy Nguyen was busy with not just schoolwork but also practice and performances for her lion dance team, Hoa Dao Lion Dance.

Nguyen has been a member of the lion dance team for three years and said she had initially joined because her older brother was a member.

“Although you join for, you know, how cool it is or the skills that you can gain from being on the team, but you stay because of the friends you make and family and just having a good time with those close to you,” Nguyen said.

Though the team was having issues with the truck carrying their equipment on the morning of Feb. 1, it was still able to arrive at Asia Times Square for performances at Hiep Thai, Banh Mi Number One and Bida Em. The crowd, which is what gives Nguyen energy and excitement during performances, cheered loudly and followed the team as it moved along the shopping mall with its performances.

The team had various lions dancing as well as a dragon, and along with confetti, there was also a bit of pyrotechnics, which excited the audience and interested passersby.

To hear an audio report about Katy Nguyen’s experience in lion dance, please click here.