Oil Region Ballet dancers visited New York City.
Amid the blare of horns and the sea of hot faces on the congested streets of New York City, a coach bus pulled up in front of a Times Square hotel and opened its doors.
Down stepped 31 travelers from small town USA. The Oil Region Ballet Company of dancers and their families have arrived in the city of lights.
The Oil Region Ballet Company offered its dancers a “field trip” opportunity; a two-night and three-day dance exploration in the Big Apple.
Deborah Femovich, the ballet’s executive and artistic director, and Taryn Frey-Misner, the ballet’s social media and assistant artistic director, organized and led the tour.
“It was on these streets in 1948, that Lincoln Kirstein, a wealthy Harvard Grad, and George Balanchine, a defected Russian dancer, joined forces to built the ‘ballet capitol of the world’,” said Femovich.
Why bring our local dancers to this fiercely competitive world of dance?
“They are here to learn, to experience dance from the best, to compare their understanding of the world stage, and to expose them to the varied options available amid the dance world. NYC still sets these parameters,” said Misner.
Dancer Grace Morrell reflected, “Before I went on this trip, I knew I wanted to pursue dance at least at a college level, but after going to NYC, I realized that I would like to pursue it as a career. I am going to have to work very hard to achieve my goal!”
The dancers were enrolled in a special Master Class at STEPS Dance Center near Lincoln Center, and they took individual classes at Broadway Dance Center midtown, where they mixed directly with New York City talent.
“Having the opportunity to dance in NYC with other dancers, being taught by different instructors, and to see a professional ballet performance helped inspire me to try harder to improve my technique, so I can be like them someday,” said dancer Danielle Guth.
The Oil Region Ballet dancers also visited the last family owned dance supply store in the city. Next, they toured Lincoln Center, its school and stages as well as the Radio City Music Hall, the home of the famous Rockettes.
“This trip taught me how to address class etiquette with live music and most importantly, gave me the best dance experience I have ever had,” said dancer Kylie Moore, “It was eye opening.”
The dancers’ culminating event was a night at the Metropolitan Opera. Here they took in Diana Vishneva’s last dance role in the ballet “Onegin,” where she danced the starring role of Tatiana.
The Oil Region Ballet was privileged to be part of her final farewell curtain calls, amid thrown roses and tearful gift giving. Vishneva, at age 41, is retiring from the stage and returning with her husband to her Russian homeland.
The Oil Region Ballet waved farewell with the rest of the world.
“I am sure there is room for improvement in our tour guiding talents,” laughed Misner, “But you know you have done something right, when dancers respond as the ORB dancers have.”
Skylar Morrell, a senior dancer with ballet said, “Going to NYC was a big step for me. It was a bit out of my comfort zone. However, throughout my journey of navigating the city, taking ballet classes, watching a ballet production and amazing back stage tours, I’ve realized, it’s moments like these that help me understand how much more life has to offer.”
The curtain closes on an amazing Oil Region Ballet learning experience. “We will do it again another year, another location,” said Femovich. “How could we not?”
Beginning on Monday the Oil Region Ballet is holding its annual ballet Summer Intensive program from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Studio 22 in Franklin.
Oil Region Ballet
