Classical ballet director Misako Aoki began her dance training in her native Japan, where she later received a scholarship to study at the Royal Ballet School in London. From there, she joined the Matsuyama Ballet Company and performed in Europe and China with Rudolf Nureyev, among other famous dancers.
Modern dance director Eva Anderson was born and raised in a segregated South. Her paternal grandparents were slaves who became teachers after the Civil War. She first set her sights on performing at an early age after seeing a touring production of "Porgy and Bess."
They may come from worlds apart, but here in Howard County, Eva Anderson and Misako Aoki are "joined at the hip," as artistic sisters, sharing a common goal to produce dance — traditional modern, break dance or something else out of the ordinary like classical ballet with a Japanese twist.
Local folks can see what these two dance icons are up to when the Misako Ballet Company presents "Tales of Transformation" at the Jim Rouse Theater Sunday afternoon, Feb. 8.
Misako shared her appreciation of Anderson and others who have contributed to the performance, including Eriko Tokura Murray from "7 Sopranos," who will sing a Japanese aria. In a special guest appearance, Alliez — Hostyle Rhythmz Krew & Friends will keep the show at a brisk pace with break dance moves and more.
"Eva's gift to dance is the fact that she played a major role in the Columbia dance scene," Misako said. "Her warm, yet strict and sharp advice, has helped elevate my dance company to a professional level."
As a pre-eminent force behind local modern dance, Eva Anderson set an unparalled record. She has nurtured local dance by directing her own company for decades, teaching at area colleges and working with dancers from professional companies like the Misako Ballet.
When she first got an invitation to re-stage one of her favorite African-American modern dances for Misako's classically trained ballerinas, Anderson recalls jumping for joy. That was eight years ago; today, Eva is still reaching for the stars.
Jumping is not what you would expect an octogenarian to pull off, but this dance dynamo is absolutely amazing as she demonstrates some fancy footwork during a recent rehearsal at Misako's Ballet Studio. Laughter is also a large part of Anderson's repertoire.
"It gets me out of the house and back to the artistic part of my life," Anderson said. "It's wonderful to be asked and even better that I can still move at my age!"
Eva is back for her fifth collaboration with Misako. This time around, she will act as a consultant for the premiere of "Grateful Crane," a one-act ballet that tells the tale of the revered bird considered to be lucky in the Japanese culture.
"It's all about the rhythm," Anderson said, guiding yet another dancer through the pattern of poses, turns, and character development. "This ballet is an example of how an old classical art form has universal importance and can be translated into expressing the values of all cultures."
Eva tells the dancers, "Misako has an eye for detail and impeccable phrasing. Her movement is elegant and you must capture that in your dancing. Keep in touch with the feeling of unlimited power in this dance. The message is to appreciate life and to soar as long as you can."
And soar they do. Company dancers Emily Runkle and Amanda Wade fly across the studio; Jessica Markiewicz, Melissa Lineburg, Carey Balinger zip in and out of a formation. Together they spin and leap and join the younger dancers gathered on the side.
Poised in the middle of this especially tall group of ballerinas, Amanda Wade excels in both classical and Asian-influenced works.
"The 'Crane Tale' is definitely not like anything I've ever done before," Wade said. "The story is so sweet and innocent, and the choreography is so amazing. I've never had this much fun dancing in a piece."
Jessica Markiewicz, equally gifted in jazz, tap and acrobatics, describes the work as darker than other Misako ballets. "It's a story that differs slightly from the typical ballet narrative, so I get to interpret something new and expand my range and repertoire, an opportunity to be less of a soubrette-type character. As far as I know, no other company has choreographed to this libretto, so I have the satisfaction of knowing that what is created on us is unique and special."
A highlight in the Sunday program is Misako's staging of "Don Quixote," a fiery Russian classical ballet created over 100 years ago and still a showcase for technically proficient dancers.
"I would like to tell the readers that our dance program incorporates two cultures — Western meets Japanese,' Misako said. "Just as dance movements are connected together in seamless motion, fusing cultures gives us the opportunity to influence, understand and appreciate each other."
The company will be joined by Junior Company dancers Rachel Beall, Grace Becraft, Madeleine Chen, Helena Davis, Tessa Hawkins, Amber Hodak, Valerie Hsieh, Faith Hupp, Erin Rao, Chloe Shader, Melody Shang, Vivian Yancey and Isabelle Zhan.
Misako Ballet Company presents "Tales of Transformation at the Jim Rouse Theater in the Wilde Lake High School, 5460 Trumpeter Road, Sunday, Feb. 8, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door or can be purchased online for a discounted price. A Tribute to Eva Anderson is in the works during the 2015 Columbia Festival of the Arts presentations.