Japan
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Japan
Exchange
2006
In March 2006, 15 senior dancers from Okanagan Dance Studios were
invited to perform with Haga Ballet Academy in Okegawa, Japan. During
their week long stay they rehearsed sections from the famous ballets
Sleeping Beauty and Le Corsaire as well as contemporary ballets
choreographed for the exchange performance. The students were billeted
with Japanese host families, where they learned about cultural
differences, and created life long friendships. The March 29 performance
was a huge success, with special guest from the famous K Ballet Company
of Tokyo performing the lead roles to perfection. The Canadian students
had an amazing learning experience performing on the international
stage, they grew as artists and as people. Congratulations to Chistina
Kuhn, Rina Sekine, Taryn Haynes, Robyn Bates, Farren Tilitzky, Jackie
Rowe, Mairi Greig, Nicola Kurtz, Lisa McPherson, Megan Windeler, Kelsey
Sick, Nicola Frasch, Ava Veljacic, Justina Fraser and Cody Kearsley
Pictures from the 2006 trip |
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December 2001 found 11 ballet students, 2 chaperones and
Okanagan Dance Studio's director, Traci Stevenson jetting across the Pacific to embark on a 12 day journey filled
with memories and dance experiences. The opportunity to share in this cultural
exchange was inspired by a joint performance of "The Nutcracker" ballet. Several young dancers from the Haga Ballet Academy in Okegawa, Japan, Okanagan Dance Studio's 11 young
women and a handful of professionals all worked together to polish and perform
the Christmas tradition. The days were filled with studio rehearsals, costume fittings and
many opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges. Each dancer was billeted with a
Japanese family from the Haga Ballet Academy further enriching their Asian experience.
Unique customs and characteristics soon emerged, and were shared between the Japanese
and Canadian dancers. |
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Picturesque Mt. Fuji was the daily back drop, rides on the
famous Japanese rail system, shopping in ultra-modem downtown Tokyo, visiting old
Tokyo and its shrine, as well as a fun-filled day at Tokyo Disney were some of the side
trips enjoyed by the Canadian contingent. All the rehearsals and fittings during the trip,
not to mention the previous months of long hours in the studio across the
ocean culminated in a spectacular showcase of young talent. The performances of "The
Nutcracker" epitomized perfect harmony as the nationalities of the dancers melded into
complete unity. It was truly an experience of a lifetime, forever altering the lives of our
11 Canadian girls with memories permanently etched on their hearts.
Once again, Okanagan Dance Studios and the Haga Ballet Academy will embark on a
joint production of a ballet in March 2006. Several of our dancers, as well as many from
Japan will spend months in preparation before we travel across the Pacific to join them in
a 2 week odyssey of rehearsals and ultimately performances. We look forward to sharing
our cultures and traditions, and once again creating lasting friendships and memories.
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Okanagan
Dance Studios in Japan
please click for full size poster |
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