Yao Yongzhong helps his daughter practice basic ballet skills under the dim street light in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China`s Sichuan province, Oct 13, 2010. [Photo/ Huaxi Metropolitan] 

Every day, when night falls, Yao Qifeng, a 10-year-old girl is spotted ballet dancing under the street lamp in Chengdu, Southwest China`s Sichuan province. She practices attentively basic ballet skills - backward bend, slips, spin and coordination, the Huaxi Metropolitan newspaper reported.

But her father, Yao Yongzhong, 55, seems abashed while watching his daughter`s movements. "The more she gets obsessive about it, the more I feel ashamed," he said.

Living on basic living allowance of 1,000 yuan ($151) per month, the family crowds into a 20-square-meter humble house and can hardly afford the expense of learning ballet. However, it doesn`t stop Yao from pursuing her dream.

Yao Qifeng studies at a desk at home in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China`s Sichuan province, Oct 13, 2010. [Photo/ Huaxi Metropolitan] 

Yao became fascinated with ballet dancing three years ago. She haunted an art center window to watch ballet lessons with strong curiosity. But the gifted girl never asked her parents for training as it cost about 500 yuan.

"I was full of envy when I saw them dancing, wearing ballet dresses and learning skills from professional teachers. Moreover, they were with piano accompaniment." She said.

To satisfy his daughter, the father borrowed a DVD from a friend and bought dancing discs from vendors` stands. For Yao, television was her enlightening teacher.

A year later, the family tightened their belt and sent the ballet enthusiast to the art center. Yao`s sole ballet item is a pair of disposed slippers from her classmate.

With a year of painstaking and costly training, Yao gained her first ballet certificate for children (the fourth level) that took at least three years to achieve.

Unfortunately, the 10-year-old has decided to resume her `TV-education` this year instead of the formal training because of the high tuition costs.

To protect his daughter from injury, the father has brought home a disposed nylon carpet and unfolds it under the street lamp every evening to let the girl perform on an open stage.

"Taking the lamp as a spotlight and passers-by as the audience. I hope she likes it," said the father.

Yao Qifeng mends her ballet slipper in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China`s Sichuan province, Oct 13, 2010. [Photo/ Huaxi Metropolitan] 

Yao Qifeng watches her peers practicing ballet in an art center in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China`s Sichuan province, Oct 13, 2010. [Photo/ Huaxi Metropolitan]