Awaiting the great jig

The upcoming Chinese Dance Masterpieces will provide youngsters from the mainland with a platform to showcase their skills. Photo provided to China Daily

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Youngsters from the mainland find it difficult to make their mark because the market is "too commercial" and "only" famous artists tend to perform in big theaters such as the NCPA, according to Zhao.

But the youth are hardly disillusioned by such challenges because to some, dancing is a religion. Zhao says he recommended Wang Yabin, a 30-year-old choreographer-dancer from Tianjin, for this year's Chinese Dance Masterpieces.

Wang studied classical Chinese dance since the age of 6 and later took up modern dance.

In 2008, she created her own series called Yabin and Her Friends that has since traveled to smaller theaters in China.

In August, she and her friends will present their titled series at the NCPA, which Wang says will be themed on dreams and show her return to classical Chinese dance.

"The program offers a platform for top Chinese dancers and choreographers to coach the next generation," says Feng, a selector this year. The Chinese dance scholar has recommended Zhao Liang's Tea Illusion.

Zhao, in his 30s, uses body movements to interpret Chinese tea culture and says the country's most popular drink is "full of emotions".