Born: 1984 (Nagoya, Japan)
Biography:
Yuriko Kajiya was born in Nagoya, Japan, in 1984. At the age of eight, she began her ballet training with the esteemed Matsumoto Michiko Ballet. Showing exceptional talent and dedication, Yuriko moved to China at the age of ten to further her training at the prestigious school of the Shanghai Ballet. Her commitment and skill were further recognized when she won the Best Performance Award in the senior category at the Tao Li Bei National Ballet Competition in 1997 when she was just thirteen years old.
In 1999, Yuriko became a finalist at the Third International Ballet Competition held in her hometown of Nagoya. Her outstanding abilities and potential were acknowledged when she earned the Prix de Lausanne in January 2000, which granted her the opportunity to continue her training at the school of the National Ballet of Canada in Toronto.
Yuriko’s professional career began in 2001 when she joined the ABT Studio Company. Her exceptional talent soon led her to become an apprentice with American Ballet Theatre’s main company in 2002. Yuriko’s hard work and dedication paid off when she became a member of ABT’s corps de ballet in June of the same year.
During her time with ABT, Yuriko showcased her versatility and technical prowess through her performances in numerous classical and contemporary ballets. Some of her notable roles included Kitri in Don Quixote, Giselle in Giselle, Gamzatti in La Bayadére, Clara in The Nutcracker, and Princess Florine in The Sleeping Beauty, to name just a few.
In August 2007, Yuriko’s talent was recognized once again as she was promoted to the rank of soloist within ABT. She continued to expand her repertoire, dancing leading roles in ballets such as Manon, Mayerling, Artifact Suite, Giselle, Madame Butterfly, and Swan Lake.
In 2014, Yuriko made a significant artistic transition when she left ABT to join Houston Ballet as a first soloist. She made her mark on the company with a stunning debut in the starring role of Swanilda in Coppélia. Her exceptional performance alongside Joseph Gorak solidified her reputation as a world-class dancer.
Yuriko’s talent and dedication did not go unnoticed, and after only five months with Houston Ballet, she was promoted to principal dancer. Her versatility and incredible range allowed her to add major roles to her repertoire, including Kenneth McMillan’s Manon and Mayerling, William Forsythe’s Artifact Suite, and Stanton Welch’s Giselle, Madame Butterfly, The Nutcracker, La Bayadere, Paquita, and Swan Lake.
Beyond her ballet career, Yuriko has also made appearances in documentary films, such as Passion Across a Continent in 2007 and Yuriko: Ballerina in 2011. These documentaries gave audiences a glimpse into the life of a dedicated and passionate ballet dancer.
Awards:
– Best Performance Award at the Tao Li Bei National Ballet Competition (1997)
– Prix de Lausanne (2000)
– Promoted to soloist at American Ballet Theatre (2007)
– Promoted to principal dancer at Houston Ballet (2014)