My dance adventure started at age 5 while growing up in Japan. As a teenager, I would travel by train to a different city to take ballet class. Sometimes I would come home at 10 and still need to do my homework before going to bed. My mother encouraged me to participate in ballet competitions. I won the gold medal twice in a row in the junior Japan division.
I finished my dance education in London and at the Houston Ballet School. After getting my first job as a principal in Ballet Arizona, I moved here to Boston. I danced as a soloist with Boston Ballet for 17 seasons, during which time I was fortunate enough to be chosen to perform in all the well known classical story ballets, as well as being featured in more contemporary creations, by world-renowned choreographers. My signature ballet, which I performed internationally to critical acclaim, was Bella Figura by Jiri Kylian, the long-time resident choreographer for Nederlands Dans Theater.
After having two children, the time seemed right to gradually transition to ballet teaching. I am most proud of being invited, on a regular basis, to teach the professional company class of The Boston Ballet. Being able to share some of my experience with the younger dancers is such a joy.
Also, I am very excited about teaching ballet to rhythmic gymnasts. They all need a strong ballet foundation in order to understand movement, develop balance, gain strength, and use their feet to enhance the line and show musicality.
Over my twenty-year career, I never had a serious injury. I also came back from childbirth to perform on stage within a few months. I believe my attention to physical health and proper alignment are skills I can pass on to my students.