White began her dancing career at the age of 14 with the Lyric Opera Ballet of Chicago, where she was spotted by Balanchine. The choreographer awarded her a scholarship to the School of American Ballet and invited her to join the New York City Ballet a year later.

"With any Balanchine ballet, you have the experience of embodying the music through his brilliant choreography," White adds.

According to Feng, George Balanchine Trust repetiteurs Elyse Borne and Sandra Jennings joined White for the rehearsals of Jewels at the National Ballet of China.

Based in New York, the George Balanchine Trust was set up in 1987 to preserve and protect Balanchine's creative body of work.

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn