Where Ballet Stars Are Made
Mairi Bell, 17, the latest protege of John Landovsky and the Hawaii State Ballet, dances the lead roll of the Sugar Plum Fairy in ‘Nutcracker’ beginning this weekend
Mairi Bell, the Sugar Plum Fairy
Boston Ballet. Five years ago Schull starred in the dance movie Center Stage and is currently a dancer with the San Francisco Ballet.
“To me, he’s (Landovsky) like a father figure outside of ballet, him and my mom and me travel a lot together. As a coach he’s really good. I feel really privileged to work with him. He can spot talent,” Bell says.
A native of Riga, Latvia, Landovsky came to Hawaii in 1982 to work as director for Ballet Hawaii. A year later, he started Hawaii State Ballet and its Junior Company.
Landovsky has accompanied Bell to her competitions, as each dancer must bring their coach. The only catch is not only do the dancers have to pay their own way, but also the travel expenses of their coach.
“It’s very expensive,” Bell admits.
She would not be able to do it without the help of her family.
“They’re very supportive, my grandparents, my family in Japan.”
While her extended family has continuously assisted her financially and offered moral support for Bell to pursue her career, her Japanese relatives have yet to see her perform.
Spencer Keith gives Mairi a lift
“Only my mom and step-dad have seen me perform, my real dad lives in Japan.
“I send them videos,” she says of her relatives off island.
They will get to see her, however, when she visits later this month.
“My whole family lives (in Japan). I was the only one not born in Japan. I’m going there right after Nutcracker.”
When Bell, who’s an only child, is not working hard on her pliés or grand jetés, she enjoys cooking and shopping with her mom. She can occasionally be found goofing around with her dog Hoku. While she does also enjoy math in school, the Oahu native admits that she could never see herself being anything other than a ballerina.
“I couldn’t imagine my life without ballet. Just the challenge of coming every day and learning something new, it’s an art form of becoming an artist.”
The Hawaii State Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker” opens Friday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. Additional performances run through Dec. 17, with Friday shows at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. with a special Sunday performance Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $16-$27 and available through the Honolulu Box Office by calling 550-TIKS.
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