Bravissima: Yuma dancer takes to the stage in Italy

Many dancers dream of spending a summer in Europe, performing in a professional production. This summer, Yuma dancer Keely Misenhimer lived the dream.

The ballet dancer, who graduated from Yuma Catholic High School in 2008, graced the stage in a production of the German opera “Die Fledermaus” at the 15th-century Palazzo della Sapienza in the heart of Rome.

Throughout July, Misenhimer participated in master classes, coaching and rehearsals for the opera, with lessons provided by a distinguished faculty. The experience culminated in a weeklong series of performances for the public.

The performances were fully staged with period costumes, props, lighting and a full orchestra.

It was produced by Operafestival di Roma, a nonprofit educational institution that offers opportunities to musicians and dancers from all nations to study and perform opera in Italy.

“It has been amazing being a part of the opera,” Misenhimer told the Yuma Sun. “It has been my first opportunity to perform with a live orchestra and that alone has been such a great experience.”

While most participants auditioned for a part, Misenhimer was invited by the choreographer, Alicia Okouchi-Guy, to participate. She is a faculty member in the dance department at Chapman University in Orange, Calif., where Misenhimer is currently a junior with a double major in graphic design and dance.

“I feel so privileged to have been invited to perform in an opera in Rome. It excites me that the choreographer thought of me, and that she wanted to give me such an amazing opportunity in my life.

“The rehearsals have been long and hard, but completely worth it. It has been great to meet and get to work with different artists.”

Steve Hennig, business manager of Ballet Yuma, agreed that this was “a great opportunity offered to only a few accomplished dancers.”

Misenhimer, who just celebrated her 20th birthday in Italy, grew up dancing at Yuma Ballet Academy with owners/instructors Jon Cristofori and Kathleen Sinclair. She was a soloist with the academy's attached dance company, Ballet Yuma, and performed with the company for more than six years.

Misenhimer, the daughter of Page Misenhimer and Diana Crites, was born and raised in Yuma. She started taking dance classes when her mom enrolled her at age 5, “but I think I really became a dancer when I joined Ballet Yuma.

“Something just clicked and I loved it. I think the passion my teachers had inside them transferred over in their classes. I learned so much from my teachers Jon and Kathy, life lessons that I can transfer to any job I have when I am older.”

Misenhimer has performed in many Chapman University dance productions, including the annual American Celebration production. She also got the opportunity this past May to perform with Backhausdance, a professional dance company in Orange, Calif.

“Yes, it is hard, and there are times when you break down and cry in frustration, but there is just something about being in a company knowing that you all have each other's back.

“I think I love it partly because of the technical challenge that it presents. Not just anyone can do it, honestly. You have to put in the time and have the dedication.”

She also loves the “grace of the ballet, the beauty of a clean line.”

“It is hard to explain why I love it, but for me there is just something about dance, ballet in particular, that takes my breath away when I watch it. It makes something inside me come alive.

“There is also nothing better than when you work so hard to nail a step and you finally get it. It teaches you to work hard. In ballet you are never perfect. There is always something that you can make better, no matter how good you are. Ballet teaches you not to settle but to strive for more.

However, performing in an opera is “completely different than ballet,” Misenhimer said, “and the opportunity to collaborate with singers and musicians is wonderful. I have met some great new people here, including fellow students from my university whom I might not have met otherwise.”

In the production, Misenhimer and five other dancers played the role of ballerinas who are guests at a party. The dancers were given the opportunity to have singing lessons, “which was so much fun and helped me develop such a greater appreciation for their art,” she said.

She “definitely” plans to continue dancing through college. “Who knows where life will take me after that, but if I had my ideal version of life happen, I would dance with a professional contemporary ballet company.”

For the moment, Misenhimer explained, she gets to combine two passions.

“I am also a graphic design major at Chapman University, which I love so much as well. I love it because I feel like so much of it crosses over with dance. It is definitely another passion of mine and I find it hard to pick and choose between them, so I am glad that for right now in my life I have the opportunity to do both and don't have to choose.”

This was her second time traveling to Europe. “The first time was four years ago and only lasted a week so this trip was considerably longer.”

Her summer of traveling this time began long before Operafestival. Starting June 1 she participated in a travel course through her school that took her to Italy, Greece and Turkey over 17 days.

From there she met with her older sister, Whitney, and they traveled to 12 cities during 2-1/2 weeks. They started in Greece and went through Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium, England, France, Switzerland and finally ended in Italy.

“We did most of our traveling across Europe by train, which added so much to the trip being able to look out the window and see the scenery as we traveled by.”

A typical day:

7:30 a.m. – Breakfast

8 a.m. – Italian language

9 a.m. – Chorus rehearsal

10 a.m. Music and staging rehearsals for “Die Fledermaus”; voice lessons and master classes; vocal diction class; orchestra rehearsal

1 p.m. – Lunch

2 p.m. – Opera scenes performing class

5 p.m. – Music and staging rehearsals for “Die Fledermaus”

7:30 p.m. – Work study opportunities

Evening – Free to enjoy Rome