Xie Xin, 28, a professional modern dancer from Ji'an, Jiangxi province, shares her story behind the pursuit of her dreams.

Xie showed a natural gift for dancing when she was a little girl. She once created a dance and performed it in a sitting room which surprised her mom who was also a dancer.

At 13, she decided to enter an art school despite the fact that her mother was against it as she believed a career in the arts was too difficult.

"I was so determined to enter an art school and I have never considered it an easy path. I kept pushing myself since the day I made my decision," she said.

Finally, she succeeded and was admitted by an art school in Jiangxi province.

Xie believes that modern dance is unique as it encourages creativity and honors distinct personalities. "When you are determined to do something, you have a strong motivation even if others disagree. You don't listen to anyone but yourself," added Xie.

Xie dances every day to discover the new possibilities within her body.

"Dances are experiments with our bodies. We use our imagination to make each dance unique," she said.

Xie's devotion has been rewarded. She won the championship at a national dance contest in 2012 with a 500,000 yuan award and a scholarship valued at 50,000 yuan.

"I attend dance contests because they are fun," Xie continued, "and I have never realized that people consider my dances moving and unique. I sometimes doubt myself even though I have won a championship." She considers audience approval much more satisfying than winning prizes.

She also decided to give her dance scholarship money to her mom and explained, "My parents divorced when I was little and my mom raised me and helped me pursue my dance career on her own. She doesn't have any savings and I want a better life for her. Giving is always more pleasing than receiving."

Besides her mother, Xie also appreciates her boyfriend's support. It has been 10 years since Xie and her boyfriend, who is easygoing and very caring, first met in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. "I have been living in Beijing alone for three years and I understand his loneliness, however, I will truly regret it if I give up dancing to stay with him.

"I appreciate his understanding even though we still argue at times and I know that I am being selfish, but I need to dance to cherish the present before I become old. There will be plenty of time for love later." Xie explained.

Being under the spotlight is never easy but all the hardships she has endured have made her a stronger person.

Regarding the future, Xie said, "I used to sigh watching dancers get old and when they would lose their youthful features. However, I now appreciate another form of beauty that accumulates through hard work and difficulties. It feels more sincere and it is truly touching. I learned that I can still express myself through movements even if I grow old and lose many advanced skills."

All dancers are elegant and beautiful despite age as long as they grasp the essence of dance, and therefore, art, added Xie.