I was born in Japan and began my journey in ballet at the age of five at the Urayasu Ballet Academy in Tokyo.
Early recognition at the Tokyo Ballet Competition and the Asia Pacific Ballet Competition led me to win the Prix de Lausanne in 1992, opening the door to international stages and a scholarship at the Royal Ballet School in London, where I deepened my technique and expressive artistry.
My professional path took me to stages across Europe:
As a Soloist with Ballet Zürich, Oper Köln, Staatstheater Saarbrücken, and Komische Oper Berlin, I explored both classical and contemporary works, collaborating with world-renowned choreographers such as Jiří Kylián, William Forsythe, Mats Ek, and others. In 1998, I was honored to perform at the Nagano Olympic Games opening gala as one of four former Japanese Prix de Lausanne winners.
Since 2001, as Principal Dancer at Theater Basel under Richard Wherlock, I embraced leading roles and participated in creating new works. Highlights include the NHK Ballet Gala, Festival dei Due Mondi, and staging productions by Stijn Celis and Richard Wherlock in the Netherlands and at Opera Bucharest. In 2017, in addition to my commitment in Basel, I returned to Japan to share my experience and passion with the next generation as director of the Urayasu Ballet Academy.
In 2021, I ended my career of over thirty-five years as a professional ballet dancer.
Today, as a Freelance Rehearsal Director, Choreography Assistant and Coach, I continue to inspire professional and young dancers worldwide and celebrate with them the beauty, discipline and freedom of ballet.
Ayako
