Lei collects inspiration at a She village in Xiapu county, Ningde, last year. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The songs of the She people are usually about their daily lives, such as working on the farmland and picking tea. Their dances are choreographed for special occasions, such as those worshipping their gods and ancestors, and weddings and funerals.

At the age of 14, Lei joined the local She Song and Dance Troupe, a performing arts group founded in 1988 that highlights the ethnic group's music and dance. It had been her dream to become a dance teacher since then, so Lei studied choreography at the Beijing Dance Academy for three months in 2018. After returning to her hometown, Lei prepared to launch her dance studio. Its name, Hanier Dance Art, came from She language, in which shanha is what She people call themselves and nier is a nickname for young girls in the culture.