Generally when an artist comes to Minot, it's to give a special performance or teach a master class in some discipline.
But in the case of Jonathan Chapman of Ballet Magnificat, a ballet company in Jackson, Miss., it is to study with and learn from one of Minot's own, Rinat Mouzafarov.
"When I was here before, I knew I wanted to work with Rinat," Chapman said. "I'm just glad my break coincided with his free time, too."
Article Photos
Terry J. Aman/MDN - - Jonathan Chapman, right, of the Ballet Magnificat, is in Minot to train with instructor Rinat Mouzafarov.
Chapman, 23, came to ballet at the advanced age of 15, after beginning with tap at 13.
"When Kathy (Thibodeaux, founder of the Magnificat) saw my company, my dancers here, she asked me to come and teach their professional dancers," Mouzafarov said. "I now have a standing invitation to come to Jackson, Miss., and teach every year, but Jonathan has come to Minot on his own to work with me."
Mouzafarov is making final arrangements for his two-month teaching tour of Europe. Among others, he will be teaching master classes at the Bolshoi Ballet and Royal Danish Ballet, two of the oldest ballet companies in the world.
Fact Box
Performance postponed
The monthly radio program "Dakota Air: The Radio Show" performance set for June 4 in Medora HAS BEEN POSTPONED because of flooding to Sept. 17. For more information, call 1-800-633-6721 or visit (www.medora.com).
The Rinat Mouzafarov Classical Ballet Company, a non-profit organization under Mouzafarov's direction, is bringing the Ballet Magnificat back to Minot in October for several performances, and open classes for area dancers in ballet, jazz and modern techniques.
-- Ceecy Nucker
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Gentle Winds to perform benefit in Granville
GRANVILLE The Gentle Winds Orchestra of Minot will be featured June 2 at 7 p.m. in the TGU-Granville High School Gym as part of "Melodies and Meals" a local foods supper to support the McHenry County Food Pantry and Women's Way.
The event will start with a meal highlighting local foods in the McGillicuddy Center at $3 a plate. Farmers Market vendors are encouraged to participate and have items available for sale at this time. The concert will follow in the Granville School Gym. Admission is $2.
A small band with a big band sound, The Gentle Winds Orchestra plays "swinging standards with a light jazz touch." Band leader Steve Veikley, a North Dakota native, formed the group and arranged the repertoire in New Jersey in 1996. Terri Aldrich, formerly of Turtle Lake is featured on vocals. Jessy Klimpel, Garrison high school band director, plays tenor sax and does an ample number of jazz solos. Other band members include Michelle Reich on keyboard, Tim Olson on drums, Ben Reich on bass, Justin Johnson on alto sax/clarinet and Joshua Stevens on baritone sax.
The Gentle Winds Orchestra has appeared at the North Dakota State Fair, the Festival of the Parks in Minot, Arts in the Parks in Minot and Williston, the Sibyl Center in Stanley, the Dickens Festival in Garrison and on the "Dakota Air" Radio Show.
"We consider all of North Dakota our territory," Veikley said. "I think it won't be long before we are heard in nearly every small town around the state."
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Mission Mountain Wood Band in concert
SIDNEY, Mont. The MonDak Heritage Center is hosting an event highlighting Montana group Mission Mountain Wood Band. On June 4 at 2 p.m., the center presents the documentary "Never Long Gone: The Story of the Mission Mountain Wood Band" produced by PBS. Admission to the viewing is free and open to the public.
Then on June 5 there will be a concert by the Mission Mountain Wood Band. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the concert starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40, or $30 for MonDak members. Tickets are available at the museum or by calling 1-406-433-3500.