Round 2, Session 3, report II, June 23

In completing the second half of this third Session, I’ll include the juror’s results.

Chidozie Nzerem, U.S.A., with non-competing Sherri Le Blanc, and both with San Francisco Ballet, danced the Pas de deux from Lambarena, which Val Caniparoli created for the San Francisco Ballet several years ago. The work, assisted by African born dancer/teachers who work in Oakland, California, has become enormously popular and has been staged in several places in the United States, in Singapore and New Zealand. Its fusion of classical vocabulary and African movement provided an excellent vehicle for Nzerem’s height and dignity. Nzerem acquired the African movement after his rigorous ballet training. Nzerem advanced to Round Three.

Wu Haiyan and Li Jun, China, danced in short and simple indigo colored costumes, laced on tunics and hips with thin yellow cording. Fei Bo’s pas de deux for them, For, depicted an obvious struggle with the same movements nearly throughout. At the end, however, the movements, still similar bounced between them because they had separated. What movement support that was executed was bot precise, angular, swift and abruptly finished. Struggle was the cornerstone. Both artists will appear in Round Three.

Zhanat Atymatev, Kazakhstan, came off better in his solo, Lunatic by choreographer Fred Lassere, Danced to Karl Jenkins’ Waltz from String Quartet No.2. The execution of this piece was better than his opening two variations, though neither movement nor choreography seemed particularly imbalanced psychologically. He will not appear in Round Three.

Emi Hariyama, Japan, and non-competing partner Ta Mila, appeared in Vladimir Angelov’s Excerpt from The Dance Diary” to Philip Glass’ Heroes. Both were dressed in short black costumes, Hariyama dancing on pointe. Reasonably well crafted, the piece seemed exceptionally long and certainly not on a par with Jerome Robbins. Hariyama will dance Round Three.

Senior Chinese competitor Han Bo appeared in a short orange tunic to dance Chen Yong Fu’s I Will Go with You. The piece opened and closed in fetal position, and was marked by intricate rolls on the floor with one leg tucking under the other as part of the propulsion. He also will perform in Round Three.

Mirai Noda, Japan, with non-competing partner Ramon Moreno, danced a Dennis Nahat piece called Suite Characteristique to Tchaikovsky’s Suite No. 2. Both were dressed in scarlet, Noda’s dress elaborately pleated with an uneven hemline, and Moreno with a puffy sleeve tunic and tights with streaks of blue. The piece possessed runs, jumps and multiple turns, but Noda will not dance in Round Three.

The final pas de deux for Sara Webb and Ian Casady, U.S.A. from Houston was another of Ben Stevenson’s atmospheric pas de deux to Rachmaninoff’s Elegie, Opus 3, No. 1 and titled Dusk. Casady is a wonderfully secure partner and Webb redeemed the impression she made as Odile. Stevenson’s choreography reminded us that the round is about classical choreography as much as the interpretive capacities of the dancers. If it was Dusk, the calibre made Om Shanti Om look like starless midnight. Webb and Casady will appear in Round Three.

This piece is part of Ballet.co's overall Jackson Competition coverage. The competition runs from the 15th to the 30th June 2002 and we plan daily reports to keep you in touch:
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