The New York City Ballet has announced the appointment of its first composer in residence, Bright Sheng, who began the job in January. Mr. Sheng came from China in 1982, and studied composition and conducting with Leonard Bernstein. In 2003, he was named the Leonard Bernstein Distinguished University Professor of Music at the University of Michigan, where he has taught since 1995. He will conduct the ballet's orchestra, take part in educational events and serve a variety of other functions. He will also compose two pieces of music that will be used for world premiere ballets during the 2007 and 2008 seasons. The residency is part of the ballet's Artist in Residence program, which began in 2000 with the intention of bringing artists of various disciplines to the company for extended periods of time.