Poetry in her feet

International collaborations have been a driving force in Wang's Yabin and Her Friends project. For instance, she collaborated with choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui from Belgium on Genesis in 2013; and choreographer Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater on Dream in Three Episodes.

Last year, she invited Japanese dancer-choreographer Shintaro Hirahara to work on the ninth production of the Yabin and Her Friends project, An Individual Soliloquy, in which the two artists brought to life the journey of the Buddhist monk and scholar, Kumarajiva (344-413), who is famous for translating Buddhist texts into Chinese.

Speaking about the collaboration, Hirahara then said: "It was the first time that I worked with Chinese dancers and it's been like a spiritual journey working with Wang. Before that, I knew little about Kumarajiva. The collaboration allowed me to imagine about people from thousands of years ago."

Dance has been a major part of Wang's life ever since she can remember. Born and raised in Tianjin, Wang was sent to dance classes from an early age by her mother, who wanted her daughter to stay healthy through dancing.

Wang found dancing interesting and learned dance styles from different countries, and her talent was recognized at 9 years old when she was enrolled to study at the Beijing Dance Academy, where she received training in classical Chinese dance, ballet techniques and contemporary dance.

"I participated in lots of dance competitions as a student and I never felt nervous. Dancing makes me happy," says Wang, who won national dance competitions, including the first prize at the seventh Taoli Cup National Dancing Competition in 2003, the year she graduated from Beijing Dance Academy and started teaching in the university. As of now, she is still a member of the Youth Dance Company of the Beijing Dance Academy.