Support Japanese Tsunami Relief at “Dancing for Hope”

Guest writer: Nao Kusuzaki, soloist

The recent earthquake and tsunami destroyed Japan with incredible magnitude–the worst destruction since World War II.  It changed the lives of so many, and forced the entire country to deal with a new reality.  After I had made sure every one of my family and friends was accounted for, and could no longer watch the tragedy streaming online, the reality for me became, “How can I help?  What can I do to be proactive in helping my country recover?”  My individual donation didn’t feel like enough, but as performing artists we are able to bring people together, create hope and celebrate life on stage, and with that, a possibility to raise a lot more money than I could ever do on my own. 

This need for a benefit concert was in the minds of many.  Ever-flowing talk was present around Houston Ballet and online.  All we needed was a strong base.  My desire grew stronger, and one day, one message I saw on the e-mail thread caught my eye.  On instinct, I called this lady, Akemi, whom I had never met.  After exchanging ideas and realizing our purposes were in sync, we both agreed on an evening of dance performance as a fundraiser: a collaborative performance project between Houston Ballet (which has 5 Japanese dancers) and Ad Deum dance company (which has 1 Japanese dancer, Shizu, Akemi’s longtime friend).  A few days later, Akemi, now the project manager, had Zilkha Hall at The Hobby Center booked for April 21. That was only 3 weeks ago…we were on a mission to make this happen when we talked!   

When I approached Houston Ballet, the idea was immediately embraced, and so many reached out to offer their services.  The cast of dancers grew from 5 to over 20, and each department, including production, wardrobe, PR, subscriptions, and artistic offered their time generously.  Being a novice at coordinating an event like this, I needed as much advice as possible, and it would not have been possible without the support of the entire Houston Ballet organization.  This “project” evolved into a full evening of dance with the resources made available by Houston Ballet. And what a learning experience this has been!  As a dancer,  my responsibility is my own performance, and being connected with my fellow dancers.  Now as the coordinator, I was to oversee the entire situation.  It included learning stagehand language, agressive PR, where to strategically post flyers, to check e-mails by the minute, communicate/update/edit/double check…I have two days to go until show, and the list of to do’s are endless.  Fortunately, I find myself enjoying every second of it.  Positive, strong energy surrounds this event, which has been created out of compassion and selflessness. This process in itself has been empowering, and I can foresee the performance to exude just that.  The power of many is strong, and the evening, Dancing for Hope, will be a testament that action truly speaks louder than words.  I am grateful for everyone who reached out.  I trust that Dancing for Hope will help Japan regain its strength and optimism.

Dancing for Hope will take place Thursday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Zilkha Hall at The Hobby Center (800 Bagby in downtown Houston).  For more information about purchasing tickets, please visit the Japan-America Society of Houston website.

Nao Kusuzaki joined Houston Ballet in 2004 and was promoted to soloist in 2008.  She hails from Ehime, Japan and received her dance training at Boston Ballet School and Washington School of Ballet.  You can read more about Nao at her online bio.

Q&A with Houston Ballet II Dancer Harper Watters

Guest writer: Andrea Duarte, Houston Ballet public relations intern

Houston Ballet II dancer Harper Watters, a 2010 Prix de Lausanne finalist and winner in the contemporary division, joins us for a quick interview in between rehearsals.  You can see Watters dancing his final performances with Houston Ballet II at this year’s Academy Spring Showcase April 29-30 before he joins Houston Ballet as an apprentice.

AD: How has your life changed since participating and winning the Prix de Lausanne in the contemporary category?
HW: Haha, this is the first time I can Google myself, and I come up! And, I got a job—an apprenticeship with Houston Ballet—when I came back. And that had been my goal, to dance with a professional company. It was a great moment when I realized everything I had done had all been worth it. Also, I think I came back with a more professional attitude toward class and rehearsal. I know it’ll be a different work ethic to be with a professional company, and I’ll be at the bottom again, but I’m very excited for what’s to come.

AD: Why did you choose Houston Ballet for your apprenticeship over other international opportunities?
HW: I had already had some experience with the company while in Houston Ballet II, so I was very comfortable with the teachers and had worked extensively with the main company. I knew how they worked, and they knew my strengths and weaknesses, and I respected their direction and repertoire. For my first experience in a professional company, I just wanted to feel comfortable.

AD: What was your favorite part about the Prix de Lausanne experience?
HW: I think it was realizing all my hard work had been correct. There were some things they said that I was doing [as far as technique] that others weren’t. I realized Houston Ballet is in a league of their own. I definitely made the right choice in coming here. And after the experience, just the pure shock of winning, and not having that pressure anymore.

Harper Watters in "Blue". Photo: Amitava Sarkar.

  AD: Had you been to Switzerland or Europe before? What did you think of the country? People? Food?
HW: No, I had never been to Europe or Switzerland before. It was actually my second time leaving the country; the first was when we went on tour to Guatemala last year. Switzerland was amazing. It was so quaint, there were no big SUVs, just tiny little cars, the buildings were all old fashioned, there were all these hills, it wasn’t flat anywhere. The food was really good, and the people were really sweet. I even learned some words in French. It was funny to see (the Swiss’) reactions when I ordered a glass of milk with my croissant, apparently that’s not normal there!

AD: We’ll next be able to see you dancing at the Academy Spring Showcase coming up at the end of April. For those who are not familiar with the event, how would you describe it to them?
HW: I would describe it as a great opportunity to see the young dancers of the future. Not all will end up at Houston Ballet, but at other top companies all over the world. You get to see them before they start their careers. In the tours I’ve been a part of, people are surprised at Houston Ballet II’s maturity and high level of performance. In the Showcase we get to show off all our hard work!

AD: What has been your favorite performance in the Showcase and why?
HW: This is only my second year, but last year we got to perform the world premiere of Calling by choreographer and dancer Ma Cong from Tulsa Ballet, which was a first for Houston Ballet II. I was honored to be cast. I had never danced that style, and it was a lot of fun.

AD: What are you most looking forward to in this year’s show?
HW: Stanton Welch’s Studies. I’m most looking forward to being onstage with all of Houston Ballet II at the same time. It’s exhilarating to share that experience with everyone, and to look over and see all your classmates performing. It’ll be last thing I do with Houston Ballet II.

AD: If you weren’t dancing, what other career would you have pursued?
HW: My dream after my dancing career culminates is to become a teacher or a ballet master. I love cleaning and setting ballets. I love the work involved in analyzing technique as well. But other than dance, I am really into English. Both of my parents are English professors, so the goal was for me to be the fourth generation at Dartmouth. But at this point, I can’t see my life without dance in it.

AD: What are your goals for the future, and where can we expect to find you?
HW: My goal is to dance as much as possible. I don’t have specific aspirations to become a principal dancer, or to dance any particular leads—my aspiration is to dance as much variety with as many different choreographers as possible. I want to choose when to stop dancing, as opposed to the opposite. Hopefully you’ll see me here! If not I’ll for sure still be dancing—it will always be a part of my life.

For more information about Harper Watter’s upcoming performances, please visit Houston Ballet’s website.