Li Guoji, deputy principle of the Midi School of Music in Beijing. [Photo by Wang Jing/China Daily]

Zhu, born and raised in Jilin province, said: "I fell in love with rock music when I was 6 years old. I went to a record store in my hometown that sold music by Cui Jian and Black Panther. I instantly loved the songs because the lyrics sounded different and the melodies were full of energy."

To study music in Beijing in the hope of becoming a full-time rock performer, he dropped out of a medical school at home.

"My parents were totally against my idea of learning music. To earn tuition fees, I worked at a local musical instrument store," Zhu said.

Huang also paid his own tuition fees, even though his parents objected to his plans. He said he learned about the Midi School of Music online and paid it a visit before applying to enroll.

Zhu added, "I enjoy the atmosphere at the school, because all the students join it due to their passion for music."

On Dec 27, the school closed for the winter vacation, but neither Zhu or Huang returned home, choosing instead to remain in Beijing to find work to pay for their tuition fees for the next semester.

"Our goal is simple. We practice at least three hours a day, in the hope of making a living from music," Zhu said.