Cougarettes in Osaka with Sangyo University High School’s BUDAHLIA Dance Team

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Having built new relationships, friendships, and collaborations with the acclaimed Chibi UNITY dancers in Niigata (click “From Niigata to the World” for that story), the Cougarettes traveled by Shinkansen to Osaka, Japan to an “exchange” with high school dancers of BUDAHLIA.

BUDAHLIA is the dance team of Osaka Sangyo University High School and a regular contender at national competitions. This year, the team advanced to the finals of the Mynavi High School Dance Competition and showcased its performance at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan, further adding to its impressive record of achievements as a leading powerhouse in high school dance. (For futher information, please click this link)

In Osaka the Cougarettes were joined by BYU’s Senior Associate Athletic Directors, Liz Darger.  Liz worked closely with Taylor Morris, the BYU Tour Manager, the team coaches, and other team support personnel to provide leadership, support, and coordination for the Osaka tour activities, including the workshop and exchange with BUDAHLIA. 

BUDAHLIA welcomed the Cougarettes with typical high school-age delight -  individual cheers, applause, hands raised, and hopping and jumping for joy.   For about 10 minutes following that welcome the two groups engaged in spontaneous small-group introductions and exchanges – clearly transcending any language barriers.  Smiles, laughter, and enthusiasm prevailed in these exchanges.

After a more formal welcome in English by one of the BUDAHLIA dancers, the workshop and exchange began with the Cougarettes providing the format and content.  For the next hour the session featured a variety of instructional and collaborative activities.   Included were short demonstrations by the Cougarettes.  Personal training and instruction focusing on several dance moves, including pirouettes and turns were “hands-on” interactive training by the Cougarettes. 

The Cougarettes were patient and encouraging and BUDAHLIA dancers were fully engaged and focused on learning and applying.   Applause and cheers were frequent.  The workshop training was shared and received with humility and enthusiasm.  A genuine rapport developed during the allotted workshop time.  

On the heels of the workshop, the Cougarettes dressed and performed some brief routines to the delight of the BUDAHLIA dancers who responded with spontaneous applause and cheers. 

Next, the Cougarettes took seats in the auditorium to witness two performances by BUDAHLIA.   At the conclusion of each of those performances, the applause, cheers, and comments from the Cougarettes and their coaches communicated clear appreciation for the quality and impact of the BUDAHLIA routines.  

The dancers then mingled spontaneously and the BUDAHLIA team members were delighted by some small mementos that the Cougarettes brought out and distributed.  Thereafter, both teams changed clothes and met in a gathering room in the High School for some further chances to mingle and associate.  Questions were solicited from both Cougarettes and BUDAHLIA team members – each team being invited to ask question of the other.  There were clear commonalities about the personal life schedules of members of both teams, including commitment to perfection, personal discipline, an appetite for sacrifice and hard work, and a commitment to academic and educational excellence in the respective educational institutions.   The school then served a meal for everyone.  

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BUDAHLIA team members and their parents were invited to attend a planned full performance by the Cougarettes scheduled for the following evening at the Toyonaka City Arts and Cultural Center.  That performance had an audience of around 400 people.  The Cougarettes performed 7 different routines – all appreciated and enthusiastically received with applause and cheers.  After the performance, time and space was provided for the Cougarettes to mingle with the audience and continue to establish rapport, relationships, and connections that will provide mutual and reciprocal value well into the future.

In retrospect, this unprecedented venture by the Cougarettes into the world of Japanese dance revealed that the national dance culture and philosophy of Chibi UNITY and BUDAHLIA have close parallels to the principles, values, and objectives that also drive and underpin the art of dance pursued by the Cougarettes.  Both dance cultures value creative collective artistic excellence that strives to go beyond simply combining individuals.  They seek a single unified and emotionally resonant experience.  Team strength that is magnified by  “unity” results in an impact greater than the sum of its parts   The mature, polished, and inspiring dance performances of BUDAHLIA clearly reflect this culture and demonstrate the impact of their coach Kyana on her young charges.  Her professional resume’ demonstrates a deep and defining commitment to this dynamic dance tradition.

Both the Japanese (BUDAHLIA) and the Cougarette dance cultures value harmony, balance, and group cohesion – with synchronization and precision transcending mere unity of intention.  Mutual awareness and empathy are a necessity for each team member.  While individual excellence is encouraged, it is ultimately applied in a way that enhances the community.  Selflessness in individuality is paramount.  Harmony, balance, and cohesion are community values cultivated in the body, heart, and mind. 

The Cougarettes left Japan having enriched others and having been enriched themselves. Their “trek” opens the door to enrichment of all kinds through continued exploration of the connections created during their journey.