Dance students from Japan learn some American moves

Mona Shield Payne / Special to the Home News

While visiting Las Vegas on tour with the Tokyo Dance & Actors School, Saori Kobayashi studies her reflection during a contemporary dance workshop at Fern Adair Conservatory for the Arts Oct. 1.

By Jeremy Twitchell

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008 | midnight

Fern Adair Conservatory for the Arts

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Nearly 200 young dancers from Japan were in Las Vegas Sept. 29-Oct. 1 to get firsthand exposure to the styles of dance that are unique to the United States.

Under the tutelage of accomplished choreographers and dancers from the Strip, the dancers learned hip-hop, jazz, lyrical, Broadway and other styles in a series of intensive sessions at the Fern Adair Conservatory for the Arts.

Some of the moves were so different from what students had learned in Japan that they couldn't help but giggle at times. Despite that unfamiliarity and a language barrier between teachers and students, however, everyone involved agreed the experience was worthwhile.

"(The students) all have such great work ethic, such great attitudes," said Nicholas Arnold, personal assistant to program organizer Brian Burke. "They're genuinely eager and willing to absorb what the teachers have to teach them. It's an enjoyable experience for the teachers. There are no bad eggs."

Beginning and intermediate dance students from various groups in Japan have been participating in the annual event, held each fall at dance studios in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, for more than five years. Students have one day of intensive instruction with professional teachers in each city and see a Cirque du Soleil show on the Strip.

Arnold said the idea is to broaden the students' horizons and show them new styles, because the short time period doesn't allow for in-depth instruction.

"This really exposes them to styles of dance that they couldn't get in Japan," he said.

In between classes on the morning of Oct. 1, the students said the tour was an eye-opening experience.

"(Dancing) is so different here," Shohei Sugaya said through a translator. "It's so powerful here. The choice of music is different, too."

Student Mari Hirahara, also speaking through a translator, said she was most impressed by the style and force of turns.

"There's very different choreography, mood and sensitivity," she said.

Instructor Tina Canon, a veteran of several Las Vegas shows, national tours and a cast member in Cirque du Soleil's "Love," has been teaching the classes for three years. She said she has kept coming back because of the way the students receive the lessons.

"It's the enthusiasm," Canon said. "(The students) are so adorable, so eager. They're very receptive to what you teach, very attentive. And when it's over, they make you feel like a rock star."

Canon and the students agreed that the language barrier was difficult at times, because it prevents the teachers from explaining the nuances of a move or the motivation behind it. But they were able to work around it.

"Fortunately, dance is the language of the body, and they can see what I'm doing," Canon said.

Jeremy Twitchell can be reached at 990-8928 or jeremy.twitchell@hbcpub.com.