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| Yuriko Kajiya | |
|---|---|
| Name | Yuriko Kajiya |
| Caption | Yuriko Kajiya performing |
| Birth date | 1984 |
| Birth place | Osaka, Japan |
| Occupation | Ballet dancer |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Spouse | Jared Matthews |
Yuriko Kajiya Yuriko Kajiya is a Japanese-born ballet dancer noted for her dramatic stage presence and technical prowess. She has performed principal roles with companies including the American Ballet Theatre and the Houston Ballet, collaborating with choreographers such as Alexei Ratmansky, John Neumeier, William Forsythe, and Balanchine repertory presented by companies like the New York City Ballet. Her career spans performances across venues including the Metropolitan Opera House, Royal Opera House, Teatro alla Scala, and festivals like the Vancouver International Dance Festival.
Kajiya was born in Osaka and trained at the Hiroshima Ballet School and later at the John Cranko School affiliate programs before entering competitions such as the Prix de Lausanne and the Varna International Ballet Competition. She studied repertoire by choreographers including Marius Petipa, August Bournonville, Sergei Prokofiev works staged by companies like the Kirov Ballet and the Mariinsky Ballet. Early mentors and teachers included figures associated with institutions such as the American Ballet Theatre School and guest teachers from the Bolshoi Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet schools, exposing her to methods used by dancers from the Royal Ballet and La Scala Theatre Ballet.
Kajiya joined the San Francisco Ballet as a young company member and later became a principal with the Houston Ballet, where she worked under the artistic direction of Ben Stevensen and collaborated with guest artists from the Royal Danish Ballet, English National Ballet, and Dutch National Ballet. She has guested with the American Ballet Theatre and performed in galas alongside artists from the Mariinsky Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, and National Ballet of Canada. Repertoire tours took her to houses such as the Teatro alla Scala, Opéra Garnier, Sadler's Wells Theatre, and the Kennedy Center, and she has appeared at festivals including the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and the Vancouver International Dance Festival. Throughout her career she has worked with choreographers including Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, John Neumeier, William Forsythe, Alonzo King, Jerome Robbins, and repertory by George Balanchine as revived by Pablo Heras-Casado-led projects and stage directors from the Metropolitan Opera and Royal Opera House.
Her repertoire encompasses classical and contemporary roles: leading parts in productions of Swan Lake (act variations associated with Anna Pavlova and Marius Petipa), Giselle (choreography associated with Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot), and dramatic roles in Romeo and Juliet as staged by companies like the Royal Ballet and Kirov Ballet. She has danced principal roles in works by George Balanchine such as Serenade and Theme and Variations, contemporary pieces by William Forsythe and Alexei Ratmansky including Symphony in Three Movements and Seven Sonatas, and narrative ballets choreographed by John Neumeier and Christopher Wheeldon such as reinterpretations of The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. Guest appearances included performances with principal partners from the American Ballet Theatre, Royal Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, and Bolshoi Ballet companies.
Kajiya earned distinctions at competitions and was recognized by organizations and festivals including the Prix de Lausanne, Varna International Ballet Competition, and regional awards from cultural institutions in Japan and the United States. Critics from publications associated with institutions like the New York Times, The Guardian, and arts presenters at venues such as the Kennedy Center and Sadler's Wells have highlighted her performances. She has been profiled in magazines and programs connected to companies including the Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre.
Kajiya is married to fellow ballet dancer Jared Matthews, with whom she has collaborated on stage and in coaching roles; Matthews has affiliations with companies such as the American Ballet Theatre and regional companies in the United States. They have lived and worked in cities including Houston, New York City, and other cultural centers where major companies like the Royal Opera House and Lincoln Center present ballet seasons.
Beyond performing, she has contributed to masterclasses and coaching sessions with dancers from institutions such as the Royal Ballet School, Paris Opera Ballet School, Royal Danish Ballet School, and university programs linked to the Juilliard School and University of Houston. Kajiya has participated in residency programs and outreach through festivals like Jacob's Pillow and guest workshops at the Kirov Ballet and regional companies, mentoring young dancers entering competitions such as the Prix de Lausanne and Varna International Ballet Competition. Her involvement with staging works includes restagings of pieces by George Balanchine and collaboration with contemporary choreographers like Alexei Ratmansky and Christopher Wheeldon for company productions.
Category:Japanese ballet dancers Category:People from Osaka Category:1984 births Category:Living people