In this year's workshop of the National Ballet of China, three young choreographers have turned to the written word for inspiration. Provided to China Daily

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According to Fei, this year's ballet workshop will see three choreographers work with three young Chinese composers, Shen Yiwen, Feng Jinshuo and Fang Dongqing.

"We used to work on our own to find a piece of music, which we think suits our works. But this time we have to negotiate our ideas with the composers, which is challenging and exciting," says Fei. "Chinese ballet lacks great composers. We hope to find long-term collaborators through the workshop."

Feng Ying, president of NBC, says: "Continuing to develop classical ballet and encouraging young choreographers to create new works has always been the two core missions for us."

The company has just staged its latest production of Giselle in Beijing. The two-act romantic ballet was among the three productions the NBC first staged after it was founded in 1959.

"The workshop offers a rare opportunity for young artists to test their choreographic ingenuity. While NBC is beginning to forge an international reputation, we want to have new ballet works to be seen on the world stage," Feng says.

If you go

7:30 pm, April 25-26. Tianqiao Theater, 30 Beiwei Lu (Road), Xicheng district, Beijing. 010-8315-6300. Half an hour before the performance, the choreographers will meet the audience and discuss their works.