27 February 2025
It is many years since I was able to travel to Japan and I was just so delighted to be going to represent the ISTD but also to support the many teachers and students desperate for some live exams and coaching, as this has not happened since before Covid.
I was reminded of the very different culture that awaits in this wonderful country, the custom of removing shoes before entering a home, restaurant, studio in order to enjoy the utmost in cleanliness; the value of patience which the Japanese seem to have in abundance, always waiting until the right moment to speak, waiting until the person in front of you has finished what they are doing; a culture of “you first” is commonly embraced. The care and attention to detail in all walks of life is special, and so I looked forward to this trip on many levels and was not disappointed.
10/11th February - Arrival in Tokyo and Mito
After a long but very smooth flight to Tokyo, I was met at the airport by Yukie Fujino, a very good friend and colleague who had flown in from Fukuoka to meet me and travel with me to the city of Mito, where we were then met by Masae Usami, another colleague and friend, whose exams were starting off my tour.
Both Yukie and Masae have studied with me in the past, both achieving their Enrico Cecchetti Diploma as well as their Fellowship in the Cecchetti Method and both have long standing careers in the field of dance and teaching. After some time to unpack and settle in to my hotel, we enjoyed a lovely dinner together before heading off to catch up on some all important sleep.
I studied Cecchetti in the Teacher Training Program at Canada National Ballet School. Miss Hurst taught us the exercises from Grade 1 to Advanced 1 this time, and this was a very good opportunity for me to update.
Canada uses the same syllabus for Intermediate, and although the content and the essence are the same, it reminded me that my Canadian teacher used to adjust it to suit the Canadian cold weather.
I would like to thank Miss Hurst for encouraging us with a lot of passion and knowledge.
- Tetsushi Segawa
12th February - Exams at Masae's studio
I was grateful for a late start today as it allowed me time to adjust to the time in Japan ( 9 hours ahead of the UK), then both Yukie and Masae accompanied me to Masae’s studio which I had only seen on zoom over the past few years, and the exams commenced with some Grade 1’s and 4’s, followed by me teaching three sessions from Grades 2 to 6.
The exams and my classes were accompanied by a wonderfully accomplished pianist which made my job a great deal easier and the dancers responded with eagerness to learn more and were a great pleasure to both work with and examine. Masae’s studio is somewhat unique in that she welcomes a good number of parents to join in with their children, and it was a pleasure for me to teach two generations within my lessons, including a Mummy and her son and daughter!
On completion of the day, Masae booked a taxi to take myself, Yukie, Mami – one of her students- and Masae herself to Tokyo where we located my hotel and then enjoyed a lovely dinner together before we all went our separate ways.
13th February - Exams at Miho's studio
After a welcome late start, Miho Tsurutani met me at the hotel and accompanied me to her studio where I embarked upon a day of exams ranging from Grade 4 to Advanced 2, accompanied by two wonderful pianists. Miho is in the enviable position of engaging a total of 5 pianists, all of an incredibly professional standard who can play anything required of them!
She also has a talented staff of teachers in whose capable hands, and under her watchful eye, the Cecchetti work is being delivered with love and attention to detail, resulting in an excellent standard. After a long day, I was back at my hotel for some down time before another busy day.
The 2-day course was very intensive, and at the same time, it is extremely valuable to take and learn from the examiner who comes from the UK. Since it has always been very difficult for us (the Japanese) to attend the courses provided by ISTD in Japan, this 2-day course was a great opportunity to review, clarify, and update all the syllabus work of all the Grades and Majors.
Furthermore, the passion, energy, and knowledge that Miss Hurst showed us through her teaching was truly amazing and impressive. It is sure that this experience will keep us motivated to continue improving our teaching skills and knowledge.
- Yukie Muraoka
14th February - A sunny day
Today I enjoyed walking to Miho’s studio as it was a beautiful sunny day and I enjoyed another day of exams ranging from Intermediate to Grade 2.
15th February - Mixing exams and teaching
My final day with Miho’s students was a short one as I examined Grades 1 and 2 before embarking on 4 hours of teaching. I had the pleasure of working with Grades 4, 5 and 6, and inter and above, all accompanied by Miho’s wonderful pianist. The students were focussed and eager to learn and the time flew by as we worked into the early evening.
Miho then accompanied me on the hour long train journey to the city of Tokorozawa and settled me into my hotel before taking the train back again to her home.
16th February - Exams at Mimune's studio
I was met at the hotel by former student Mimune Fukumochi, whom I had last seen during lockdown when she attended KSDance for a short period of time. It was so lovely to see her and hear about her up coming audition for a company in Spain. Mimune has also spent time dancing in a company in the US and we chatted about old times as she accompanied me, with her father driving, to the studio where I met Mimune’s mother, Yumiko, who welcomed me to her day of exams.
These exams ranged from Advanced 1 to Grade 3, and included two young gentlemen amongst the majority of girls. The work was impeccably presented and the day was smoothly run by both Mimune and Yumiko who made sure all the students were ready in good time. Again, I was accompanied by one of Miho’s wonderful pianists. Back to the hotel for a good night’s rest and to pack again!
I was amazed and touched to see Miss Hurst being very cheerful and energetic throughout the long sessions. I enjoyed learning the tradition of the Cecchetti Method and I felt that the stylistic movements and the use of arms are very elegant. It made me feel like I travelled through different eras and became an aristocrat. Thank you Miss Hurst for the wonderful two days. I fell in love with the beauty of this method.
- Natsuki Takeuchi
17th February - Back to Toyko
Yumiko and Mimune met me at the hotel again and accompanied me to Tokyo on the train and to Miho’s studio where I had a 7 hour teaching day with 19 teachers from various parts of Japan – Kobe, Osaka etc some of whom had never studied the Cecchetti Method but who were keen to learn more about it. We managed to cover Grades 1 to 6 with the help of Miho translating as well as dancing, and the accompanying on the piano of two of Miho’s pianists who shared the load between them.
This was a tough day for all of us, but very rewarding as I gave some background to Cecchetti himself and tried to encourage the fundamental principles within the method as we went along. The teachers were warm and receptive and we had some good conversations about structure and technique as well as some fun along the way.
Miho had sensibly ordered food to be delivered to the studio at the end of the day, knowing our legs would not carry us much further after 7 hours of dancing!! This was most welcome, and we went our separate ways to rest before starting another long day with Senior work.
18th February - Intermediate and Advanced 1
A walk in the sunshine through the streets of Tokyo proved to be a good warm up for the busy day ahead as all 19 teachers were ready to learn the Intermediate work and also a good deal of Advanced 1. Miho’s pianists inspired us to keep going and explore the intricacies of the senior wok, the day ending with some discussion about the requirements of Associate Diploma and Licentiate, and also working through the Men’s syllabus, ably helped by our two male participants!
After many photos and warm wishes, the teachers left to travel to their homes with their heads bursting with new information, not only about the content of the Cecchetti syllabus, but also with answers to queries and notes on technical detail and artistic expression, and I would like to thank them for their undivided attention and their great support and keenness to learn something new, or simply revise the work they love. A huge thank you to Miho for organising this two day course, no mean feat when so many travelled some distance, and she looked after us all in every way, helping to make the whole experience a happy and productive one.
I must congratulate all the teachers who presented work in the examinations. The standard really is excellent and they can be both proud and also assured that they are doing a wonderful job within their own studios, providing a professional experience for their students resulting in such exciting outcomes.
Here’s to many more hours in the studio together!
Written by Gillian Hurst
