Q. What are you most excited about, coming to the Joffrey?
A. Working with new people and doing a lot of interesting reps, living in Chicago and getting to start a new life.
Q. What made you choose
the Joffrey?
A. I have always heard great
things about The Joffrey Ballet, both in ballet magazines and from dancers, so
I have always wanted to dance with the Joffrey. The Reps are also so amazing,
it’s my American Dream.Q. How did you first become interested in ballet?
A. From my sister really. I started ballet when I was ten years old. Before I started I was doing Karate. My dad made me to go to Karate class and I hated every second of it. So when I had free time I used to go watch my sister's ballet class with my mum and grandma. I would always dance in the back, and one day I told my dad "Dad I love ballet and I hate Karate and I want to do something that makes me happy and inspires me." That's how I stared ballet. It was quite a drama!
Q. When did you know you wanted to be a professional dancer?
A. When I started ballet. I said to myself that “If I am going to do ballet, I am going to become a professional dancer.” Somehow I knew this was what I would be doing.
Q. Who has been the biggest supporter of your dance career?
A. My family, especially my mother and grandma. They have always supported me and are my biggest fans. I can't thank them enough for being such understanding and wonderful parents throughout my journey. My sister also is a big supporter (She is also a professional dancer in Germany), we inspire each other. Lastly, myself! My parents give me a lot of advice but to MAKE IT HAPPEN, only I can do that. To keep my career going further and further, I need to be strong and smart, so I always try to be strict with myself.
Q. You have received quite a few awards, what drives you as a dancer?
A. Ballet is my life and passion. I love dancing on stage. Each year I can see myself improving and also see what I need to work on that motivates me to dance. Basically I strive to be better.
Q. You’ve gone to school
in Japan and the UK, and performed in the states. What do you enjoy about
working in the states? What is the biggest difference between doing ballet in
Japan and in the US?
A. I was the only boy in class in
Japan and only few people wanted to become a professional dancer and many
others were only doing ballet for fun and as a hobby. I went to The Royal
Ballet School and we started with 11 boys in our 1st year. It was a small class
but everyone was very competitive and wanted the same thing, to become a
professional dancer. So it was very inspiring. It made me strong. It was a huge
change for my ballet life. After I graduated I joined Northern Ballet in
England. I had many amazing opportunities. I also studied at the Tulsa Ballet
in the US. I always have an amazing time dancing on stage wherever I am. The biggest difference in dancing in Japan and the U.S. is dancing in Japan in the summer. It’s horrible! It gets so humid in Japan. It feels so hot and wet, and sometimes heavy. So after dancing in England and going back to Japan, I always say "Oh my God I am dying!" I enjoy dancing anywhere I am, but it will be a new start at the Joffrey, so it will be very interesting and exciting. Other than the heat and humidity, there weren't many differences. Dancers in Japan and in US always give 120% each time we perform. But the audiences are different in Japan and U.S. I would say audiences in the U.S. are more honest. When it was a great show their reactions were great. But if it was not a great show their reactions were not that great either. So it can be kind of scary.
Q. Besides ballet, do you do any other styles of dancing?
A. Not really. Maybe my own moves.
Q. Do you have any fun plans this summer?
A. To see my friends in Japan, and eat a lot of Japanese food. Oh, and I love KARAOKE!!!!!!!
Q. What do you do when you’re not dancing?
A. Rest in the afternoon. But go out for clubbing in the evening.
Q. What is your favorite type of junk food?
A. Anything that tastes good, even though it looks unhealthy.
Q. What’s your favorite movie?
A. I don’t really have a favorite. Anything but horror. I just can't stand horror movies.
Q. Do you have any hidden talents you would like to share?
A. I don't know. I’m not sure that it is a talent, but I can sleep for forever.
Q. Do you have any advice for any aspiring dancers?
A. I say believe in yourself, always work hard and give 110%. I know you can't be perfect all the time but you can search for the perfections in the moment. Watch other dancers and learn from them. Of course you will see bad things about those dancers but do not only think it was bad and that you didn’t like it, think: if it was you, what would you do about it, how would you fix it? That's how you can be a great dancer. And always be positive. Have a big dream to work towards. The main thing is just to ENJOY!!!!
