Keri Yamane, a 16-year-old Kenyan ballerina, has made her country proud by performing on stage in Houston, USA. She carried the Kenyan flag high after dancing 'Paquita', a famous 19th-century story ballet. The performance was part of the Youth America Grand Prix, a prestigious ballet competition that attracts young performers from around the world. Out of 15,000 global participants, Keri was one of the top 40 finalists and the only representative from Africa, apart from South Africa.
Keri's journey to becoming a professional ballerina began at a young age. She was introduced to ballet in kindergarten at the Banda School in Nairobi, where she loved dancing with her age-mates. Her mother, Yumi Yamane, a Japanese leopard researcher, had to return to Japan with Keri and her younger brother, marking the beginning of Keri's formal ballet training. In Japan, Keri attended a ballet school and developed a passion for the art form.
Keri's training took her back to Kenya, where she joined the Dance Centre Kenya under the guidance of artistic director Cooper Rust. Keri had her eyes set on performing in 'The Nutcracker', but she didn't get the role she wanted. Undeterred, she continued to practice and eventually performed as Princess Aurora in 'The Sleeping Beauty' at the International Dance Talent Competition in Italy.
Keri's big break came when she was selected to perform in the main role of Kitri in Don Quixote at the International Dance Talent Competition in Italy. Her partner, Eugene Ochieng from the Dance Centre Kenya, also made it to the finals. The duo's performance earned them top honors, beating six other contestants. This achievement marked a significant milestone in Keri's career.
Following her success in Italy, Keri received a 75 per cent scholarship for a two-week internship at the Brussels International Ballet School. With Cooper's encouragement, Keri applied to the school's Professional Ballet Training Programme and was accepted at just 14 years old. She is currently the youngest student at the school, living independently and following an intense training schedule.
Keri's daily routine at the Brussels International Ballet School is demanding, with practice sessions from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, in addition to classes in anatomy, nutrition, French, and English. Despite the challenges, Keri remains focused on her goal to graduate at 18 and work with a top dance company in the world, such as the Royal Ballet and Opera House in London.
Keri's vision for the future includes returning to Kenya to teach ballet and take students to professional ballet schools to perform internationally. She draws inspiration from her role model, Francesca Hayward, a principal ballerina born in Nairobi. With her determination and passion, Keri is poised to make a significant impact on the ballet scene in Kenya and beyond.
Key points
- Keri Yamane, 16, is the only African finalist at the Youth America Grand Prix, apart from South Africa.
- Keri began her ballet training at kindergarten age and has since trained in Japan and Kenya.
- Keri aims to graduate from the Brussels International Ballet School at 18 and work with a top dance company in the world.
