The Missoulian from Missoula, Montana • 9

Missoutian, Wednesday, October 29, 2014 A9 FROM PAGE A1 RMBT dancers exchange performances with Chinese troupes ON MISS0ULIAN.COM performance, and when it came time for four dancers to accompany Natalie Cole's version of "L-O-V-E" they continued. The dancers waited, poised, as the audience screamed with enthusiasm. With no music, they danced on stage singing. A few minutes later, Jenni came out and handed a microphone to Katy Clay who belted out "L-O-V-E" with incredible finesse. It turned out that in a day of fascinating experiences and transcendent beauty, one of the most moving moments was not when everything went perfectly, but when something didn't go just right and the RMBT dancers handled it with dignity and enthusiasm.

Talk about guts and pioneer spirit. It was in that moment that the whole day came together. The disabled artists and the Montana troupe had much in common, but maybe the most important concept they share is that performing is not just about what you've got, it's about what you do with it. Laurie Horowitz is a freelance writer traveling with Missoula's Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre in China. living wonder.

So how do they do it if they can't hear the music? They figured out a way to make it work. Their performance combines art and ingenuity, with two women in white standing off in the corners and serving as unobtrusive conductors. The visually impaired musicians performed a piece in which the guitarist moves from his seat on the piano bench next to the pianist into a tango with one of the hearing impaired dancers. In one piece "Butterfly Lovers," which was described as a Chinese "Romeo and Juliet" -black costumes and black lights made butterflies of different shapes and sizes appear to fly out of the darkness. Not only was it stunning, but it had more than a trace of magic about it.

"It was such an honor to have a private performance considering that CDPPA has traveled the world performing for heads of state, yet they honored us by celebrating their gifts with us," said Carlton Wilborn, a master teacher and member of the Montana delegation. "It was a blessing that I didn't see coming." The next performance exchange was with the China Youth University Art Troupe later in the afternoon, after a trip back to the hotel for a short break and to reorganize costumes. The China Youth University for Political Sciences is a prestigious institution and likely to produce China's next leaders. While the emphasis is on politics, the artistic program at the university is there to enhance the student experience. The auditorium was filled to the rafters and cheered when Lucy Sirrs made a speech in Chinese and Clay sang a traditional Chinese song.

RMBT's cowboy hats came out and the Native Americans danced, and then Clay, Sirrs, Maddie Sager, Molly Rowe, Ellie Jenni and Pablo Sanchez performed a pas de deux from "White Haired Girl," an ancient and beloved Chinese ballet. After CYU performed several folk dances, a folk instrument ensemble and a choral piece. When the RMBT troupe came out for a final piece they were met with cries of "Encore, encore!" There were problems syncing the music throughout the the performers it was her pleasure to bring the dancers together through the U.S. Embassy; she knew that they could share something through dance that transcended language. Carey said she was delighted to be able to bring dance reflective of Montana and Big Sky Country to China.

Dressed in garb of the American West, the RMBT dancers started with "The Buffalo Stampede." Then came the Native American dances. Stanstrom and Arthur danced first in jingle dresses they fashioned themselves, including the intricate beadwork. Louie Plant, a Native American fancy dancer, powwow champion and RMBT staple, whirled around the stage, streamers flying, impressing all with his talent. After that, Katy Clay strutted on stage in a feathered headdress in a dance titled "The Wild Montana Turkey," and a more beautiful bird never pecked its way across a stage. After the Montanans performed, the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe took the stage.

Since 1987, they have performed more than For more photos and videos MUM I io i luisrsy aaii Mountain Ballet Theatre in China, go online to this story. 150 shows in 10 countries and have raised almost $1 million in donations for the disabled. The UNESCO ambassadors for peace number 96 and will soon take the stage for President Barack Obama in China. Their program was called "My Dream." A screen in two languages flanked each side of the stage to help deepen the audience's understanding. We see light in the darkness and hear sounds and rhythms in silence.

They live what they believe that everyone, disabled or not, has something of value to contribute to the world. This concept was illustrated exquisitely through their precision, grace and elegance. For our delegation of 22 to have had the privilege of seeing these dancers and musicians in such an intimate setting was right up there with seeing the Great Wall of China. The Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe was a s-. ir iim ml XT 3 3 ML 1 1 Xov -1 t.ii j.

j-Jf 1 i. t'l tr tit -s 1 I jAwaai i ii iMiiil tJIi 3iLJ emilt foster photos, Missoulian Melodee Hanes introduces the Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre and the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe before their performance in Beijing on Monday. Kya Rae Arthur and Cara stanstrom, two Native American dancers from Montana, perform for the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe in Beijing on Monday. LAURIE HOROWITZ for the Missoulian BEIJING Monday started early for dancers from the Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre as the troupe crowded onto a minibus from The Rainbow Hotel to the first performance of the day. After a last-minute trip back upstairs to retrieve a headdress, the group complete with ballet shoes, tutus, feathers, chaps and cowboy hats -made their way to perform for the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe.

The dancers entered through a gantlet of greet -ers, then Melodee Hanes, the wife of U.S. Ambassador Max Baucus, arrived. RMBT artistic director Charlene Campbell Carey and Hanes met years ago, when Carey noticed that Hanes had "the dancer's walk." Their mutual background and interest in ballet and dance forged an instant connection. Hanes greeted her fellow Montanans warmly beginning with Clara Stanstrom and Kya Rae Arthur two Native American dancers who were already wearing their traditional costumes. During the formal introduction, Hanes told China Continued two-week tour through China.

Hanes said her husband has an extremely busy schedule. "Of course, every day, we talk about what's happening that day and where he's going, what I'm doing," she said. His entire day, Hanes said, is spent working on the diplomatic relationships with the Chinese. "These are two of the most important bilateral relationships in the world, between America and China, and that's where his focus is and he devotes 100 percent of his time to that." Baucus said in a speech in June he would work to strengthen trade ties between the two countries. Baucus recently joined Gov.

Steve Bullock's delegation during their trade mission to China. Ten Montana business owners or executives joined Bullock and Baucus in meetings with potential Chinese investors and export partners. China is Montana's third leading trade Dreams Continued of little leaders with big dreams of becoming the mayor, governor and quite of few whose heart is set on the presidency. "A woman's voice at the table changes laws," Hill said, referencing her own experience in the Montana Legislature. "It makes all the difference.

I want to encourage these girls to think of themselves as the future leaders in Missoula and Montana and the nation." During Tuesday's session, Hill introduced her class to three female leaders in Missoula-County: Commissioner Jean Curtiss and City Council members Caitlin Copple and Annalise Hedahl. The three women explained their duties as political leaders in Missoula and fielded questions from the girls. "How do you feel like you help kids in this community?" asked Trafford. "I want to make sure Missoula stays this really great place that I grew up in," Hedahl replied, stating she was proud of the city's amenities t. II V- hi fi, 1 If i if Ii if Ctii 1 frr V.

air partner, with the state exporting $100 million of products there every year. Baucus and Hanes hosted a dinner for Bullock and the delegation at their Beijing residence during the mission, something Hanes said they enjoy doing. "We host a lot of events representational events for the United States at the residence, as well as at the Embassy," she said. Baucus also invited Chinese ambassadors to his home in Montana when he was chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. Hanes said they are preparing for the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which takes place in Beijing next week.

"We have lots of people coming from the United States trying to help forge meaningful and successful relationships," she said. President Barack Obama and other world leaders will attend APEC. Climate change will be a topic of discussion at the summit. China, the U.S. and India are the world's three largest carbon like the Splash Montana.

Each politician also listed their "she-roes," or female heroes, who have inspired them to become leaders in their community, ranging from their own mothers to politicians and local entrepreneurs. The girls, too, had the opportunity to share their "she-roes," like Taylor Swift, Martha Washington and the character Elsa from the Disney movie "Frozen." The program is part of Missoula County Public Schools' Enrichment and Academic Support Teams, which aim to connect community members to students through common interests and offers extracurricular academic classes taught by community members in the school. For several weeks during the spring and fall semesters, EAST offers classes like Spanish, Girls Coding Club and chess, among several other subjects. Hill's Teach a Girl to Lead class is part of a bipartisan Center for American Women and Politics and it's the first of its kind in Montana. Hill explained she was a juay ii icv.lcu with everything that's uniquely local.

pollution emitters. Hanes said she's taking Chinese classes at a college in Beijing and has grown rather fond of dumplings. She said she and Baucus thoroughly enjoy immersing themselves in Chinese culture, but decided to go with a more Western decorating scheme at their Beijing residence. "We brought all of our artwork from Montana, and we were allowed to borrow artwork," she said. "We designated only Montana artists for the year of the horse, so every time we come home, we have a little reminder of Montana." fellow for the organization last May, when she returned to her hometown of Boise, Idaho, to speak at one of their conventions at Boise State University.

In an interview prior to the class, Hill explained that teaching girls to lead is important because a democracy should boast equal representation of women and men in politics. "Women make up about 52 percent of the voting public, but we don't see that many women in politics," she said. "I want to make sure that girls can identify with their own women leaders." "They don't need a boy to go do it, they can do it, too," she added. Next Tuesday, the girls will see democracy in action as the general election dictates who will represent Missoula in several local races. And if any of the girls do decide to run for office one day, they can rest assured they will have the full support of Curtiss in their campaign.

"I will vote for any one of you who runs for president or for mayor," Curtiss announced before heading to a meeting. 2U 1mm Activate Your FULL ACCESS Subscription Today! Visit missoullan.com I nnnoctoH STEPQ Go to our website, missoulian.com STEP Click the big, blue button on the home page. stepO Enter information to activate your account your phone number or email address will work fine. STEPQ Review your subscriber details then click to set up your digital account login. If you don't already have an online login, you'll be asked to create one.

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