FDT Welcomes Miho Sawayanagi

Miho Sawayanagi is originally from Chiba, Japan. She has studied at the Mikuni Ballet, International Ballet Studio and Sapporo City Ballet. She came to the U.S. when she was accepted into the Fellowship program at The Ailey School in NYC. In addition to The Ailey School, Miho attended Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts for two consecutive summers. This is her first season with Florida Dance Theatre’s professional company.

Miho started taking ballet classes at Mikuni Ballet in her home town when she was four years old. She began her first real ballet technique classes at the International Ballet Studios in Japan at the age of six.

Miho says, “Dance is where I feel the most happy in my life. I aspire to become a dancer who inspires others and makes the audience feel deeply moved by my movement.”

At age 17, Miho was invited to study at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater by former director Mrs. Denise Jefferson where she was accepted into the prestigious fellowship program.

Miho came to Florida this season after meeting Freddie DeJesus at Earl Mosley Institute of the Arts were she was given a solo in a dance he choreographed. After seeing her perform, he asked Miho to come down and dance with Florida Dance Theatre’s professional company.

Her favorite type of dance is Modern, because it’s the form where she has received the most training. Miho states, “The Modern Graham technique is where I feel most comfortable.”

Miho’s hobbies include watching movies, jamming to music and singing karaoke.

See Miho dance on May 12, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in Florida Dance Theatre’s production of “The Firebird” at the historic Polk Theatre. Learn more about Miho, Florida Dance Theatre’s professional company and training academy at www.floridadancetheatre.org.

Coming soon…The Firebird

The Firebird is a ballet created by composer Igor Stravinsky and choreographer Michel Fokine. The story is based on Russian folk tales of a magical glowing bird that is both a blessing and a curse to its captor.

The ballet was premiered by the Ballets Russes in Paris on June 25, 1910 to critical acclaim and was a major breakthrough for Stravinsky with the public and critics.

Florida Dance Theatre brings a fresh interpretation of the classic story to the historic Polk Theatre on Saturday May 12 at 7:30 p.m. Also on the program are new works by Associate Director/Resident Choreographer Ferdinand De Jesus, and company member Stefan Dolbashian.

Call FDT for ticket information 863 802-0399.