For the first time in its history, New York City Ballet has named a composer-in-residence. Bright Sheng, the Chinese-American composer who has collaborated with cellist Yo-Yo Ma on the wildly successful Silk Road Project, will compose two new works for the ballet over the next three seasons, and several of his existing works will also be choreographed. The appointment is part of NYC Ballet’s artist-in-residence program, which has previously focused on conductors, choreographers, and costume designers.