Heidi Schrepfer Durning ‘77

“My expression of art is what I live. What I live becomes the dance I dance and create.” Heidi Schrepfer Durning ‘77 eidi Schrepfer Durning ’77, choreographer, dancer and teacher, is Huniquely qualified to serve as a bridge between traditional Japanese dance (Nihon Buyo) and contemporary dance. Born to a Swiss father and a Japanese mother, her mother and grandmother exposed her to the world of Nihon Buyo at an early age. She became exposed to people of various cultures when she entered Canadian Academy in kindergarten. While at Canadian Academy, Heidi became involved in CA Kabuki, under the direction of Mitsuko Unno. In order to put on a kabuki production, students practiced after school, often until late in the evening, from August until the performances in December. Even though kabuki was a very time consuming activity, Heidi still found time to become involved in other activities such as gymnastics and being editor of the Red and Grey. As part of her kabuki training, she learned Nihon Buyo under Yuko Fujima. She later received her professional stage name of Fujima Kanso o from the Fujima School of Traditional Japanese Dance. Heidi credits the rigorous kabuki rehearsals and dance training with giving her the discipline necessary to pursue a career in dance. She also credits the international atmosphere of Canadian Academy as an inspiration to create dance works fusing East and West. Heidi’s involvement in kabuki began as a ninth grader when she played the small role of Osen in Bancho Sarayashiki. With each year, her roles became more difficult. At the same time, the reputation of CA Kabuki around Japan grew thanks to media attention and support from the kabuki community. She performed the role Okaru in Maruhon Chushingura as a sophomore, a role that she prepared for by taking private dance lessons. As a junior, she performed Okumi in Hokaibo. For her senior year, CA Kabuki’s performance moved from the school stage to Kobe Bunka Hall. While serving as assistant dance director, she played the difficult lead female role of Agemaki in Sukeroko. In the book, Challenge of Kabuki: Canadian Academy on Stage, Mitsuko Unno writes of the role, “It is said that Agemaki’s role is impossible to perform without the three qualities of beauty, dignity, and ostentatious bravado.” (p. 125). Heidi, and other CA Kabuki actors, were able to tackle such difficult roles with great success. After graduating from Canadian Academy, Heidi studied education at California State University, Chico. Her involvement with kabuki did not end as she occasionally returned to Japan for various performances. She met her American husband, Quentin Durning, during one of these performances. Six months after the birth of her first child, Chandra, she moved to Ann Arbor to pursue her Master of Fine Arts in Modern Dance and Composition at the University of Michigan. A Swiss citizen, she is now a permanent resident of Japan and lives with her family in Kyoto. Her daughter, Chandra, is now a student at Sophia and son, Ryan, is a high school student. Heidi dances and teaches Nihon Buyo as well as dancing and choreographing contemporary works. Her international background, along with her passion for working with artists from diverse backgrounds and countries, allows her to dance between cultures. Recently, Heidi has been teaching a course in Traditional Japanese Dance (in English and Japanese) for children from Hyogo prefecture. A Canadian Academy 4 th grade student, Anna Meulbroek, is one of the students participating in the class. This class is a perfect fit for Heidi as it allows her to use her background in education as well as serving as a bridge by teaching Japanese dance to both Japanese and foreign children. Heidi presented her “Kimono Series Project” at Art Theater DB Festival Gate in Osaka on February 10 and 11. The performance featured six different dance styles she choreographed for six different dancers. For the kimono series, she collaborated with people from Japan, Canada, United States and France. Heidi describes the kimono series as “an ongoing tapestry of dance works, original music, visual arts and brocades of Japanese silk.” The final piece featured Heidi as a dancer in “Ruby,” a piece about her mother who passed away in the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995. In addition to her work in the Kansai area, Heidi’s dance also takes her around the world for various performances. For instance, as Fujima Kanso o, some of her major performances include: Fujimusume (Wisteria Maiden) at the Abbaye de Royaumont in France and the National Gallery of Arts in Washington D.C.; Hagoromo (Celestial Angel) at Abbaye de Royaumont in France; and Dojoji at the University of Michigan and Middlesex School in Boston. To learn more about Heidi’s work, visit her website at www.heididurning.com. 9.

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