Two dancers perform in Wang's contemporary dance production, A Leaf in the Storm. [Photo by Zou Hong/China Daily]

Since founding the company in 2008 with Han and Tan, she has choreographed 15 dance compositions and toured the world.

With no government support, the trio rely on grants, commissions and ticket sales.

Recalling her decision to start the Beijing Dance Theater, Wang says that it was out of pure idealism and admits she still has mixed feelings about it.

"Artists speak through their work. I want to create movement I've never seen. I want to move the body in new and different ways," she says, adding that it's the same reason why she founded the Beijing Repertory Theater, which enables her to explore a different way of self-expression.

"Unfortunately, I cannot just focus on the art. I have to also manage the company."

In China, contemporary dance is still a minority interest and, as such, in the early years, getting funding was a struggle for Wang.