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The audience watch Sichuan opera face changing performance during the Year of the Dog performance in Awty International School in Houston, Texas, the United States on Feb. 26, 2018. The Awty International School in Houston, Texas Monday presented the Year of the Dog performance to observe the Chinese Lunar New Year to a crowd of 2,000. (Xinhua/Yi-Chin Lee)

HOUSTON, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Awty International School in Houston, Texas Monday presented the Year of the Dog performance to observe the Chinese Lunar New Year to a crowd of 2,000.

A big black backdrop transformed the indoor gym into a stage. A big, red "Fortune" was hung up-high in the middle with lanterns flanking the sides.

The third annual celebration performance opened with the dance moves of Tom Beuscher, the school principal, who was dressed in a dog costume.

Next up was a Sichuan opera face changing performance, where the performer changed her face from a red mask to a white one in a split second.

The children's performance was eye-catching. More than 20 kindergarten and elementary-level Chinese language learners were dressed in red or gold traditional attire to perform children's songs.

A golden lion came onto the stage right at the end of the kids' performance. The lion dance was performed by two high school students.

Chinese pop and traditional songs were played, and there was a Tai Chi performance.

Students spent more than three months preparing for the show.

The Awty International School is one of the top private schools in Houston with over 170 students learning Chinese. The school provides more than 10 international languages for their students and the Chinese language program is the third most popular.