Sounds of sax and serendipity

In the rehearsal the director tells the deaf dancers, through sign language translators, how to dance when the device vibrates in particular ways. So in the performance he can electronically send instructions to activate the devices.

The China Disabled Persons' Federation has helped fund the troupe since it was founded in 1987. The federation pays the rental fee for the electronic devices used in performances and for practice and performance space, Dou says.

"Apart from that, Beijing Culture and Arts Fund provided us with additional capital for putting on Ever-Shining Flower."

Wang was also the grateful beneficiary of much help from the public early in his career.

"When I was young there was an old volunteer who belonged to the Dalian Charity Federation who helped me travel from my house to the teacher's every week."

That volunteer was Tong Wei, who has gained renown in Dalian with his activities, chief among them helping more than 200 children faced with various difficulties. In 2012 China Central Television invited him to take part in the program Warm China, an interview show that aims to celebrate people who engage in good deeds.

"Ding Cheng was my mentor and helped me a great deal with my profession," Wang says, referring to one of the most accomplished saxophonists in China, and whose students have won many international accolades.

"The thing about Ding is that when he trained me, he treated me no differently to the other professional students he has taught." Wang's career began to take off after he joined the troupe in 2007.

"When I accepted the invitation to join, it was more in the sense of just giving it a try, although it crossed my mind that it could change my future.

"I met many friends nursing the same ambitions, and we relied on one another to overcome the challenges in everyday life and in routine practice. It was my deaf friends who helped me get from place to place every day.

"When I first arrived to play with the troupe there was a banner that said, 'Welcome to your new warm home', and that really touched me."

He eventually decided to stay and pursue his career there.

"Now I have spent much more time with the troupe than I did at home. Without the help of others, I could not have achieved anything."

The troupe has very little space for practice, Dou says, so there is a lot of scope for improvement.

"I realize property is very expensive in Beijing, but it would be great if the government was able to provide more space."

Qiang raises questions about the high artistic standards demanded of those with physical challenges.

"I've worked with disabled people several times over the past few years and find that the instructors and directors can be quite hard on them. These artists usually need much more practice time than their counterparts.

"These disabled artists need a lot of patience and perseverance to succeed. In what they create they're like a flower growing in cement and blossoming."

Wang says: "To other disabled people my message is that if your dream is similar to mine, I know how difficult it is to succeed, but it's well worth the effort.

"The most important thing is to believe. It is this that will give you strength to overcome the challenges that lie before you.

"I believe that ultimately even a bird with broken wings can soar toward heaven."