WHO WE ARE

Beneath the Lion Head

KEVIN GIAN

Founder/Director

Kung Fu, Lion Dancing & Drumming Instructor

Dr. Kevin Gian was born and raised in the cultural melting pot of Houston, TX and has always had a love for Lion Dancing and Kung Fu since he was a child.

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At the young age of 4, he started his martial arts journey at the Dai-Ichi Shotokan Karate-Do and eventually received a first-degree black belt. Dr. Gian then started training Shaolin Kung Fu and Wushu under Master Shi De Shan and Master Shi Yan Feng where he received multiple medals and grand champion accolades at regional, collegiate, and national championships.

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It wasn't until he was 15 years old that he joined his first lion dance team - the Teo Chew Association: Unicorn Dragon and Lion Dance Team 潮州會館 麒麟龍獅團 where he joined to help his Shaolin Kung Fu brother Mark Vuong teach Kung Fu fundamentals to the lion dance team. There, he fell in love with lion dance drumming and couldn't stop playing and perfecting the various styles of lion dance music. 

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As Dr. Gian moved to Austin and San Antonio to pursue his undergraduate and graduate studies, respectively, he joined the local lion dance teams such as the Thiên Hậu Temple Lion/Dragon Dance Team - 天后宮 龍獅團, Austin Cao Dai Lion Dance and Kung Fu Team, and Mai Hoa Long Lion Dance SA. There, he continued teaching, performing, and spreading the art like he had during his time in Houston. 

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Today, Dr. Gian continues teaching Lion Dancing and Kung Fu to passionate students in Austin, TX where he also works full time as a long term care pharmacist.