Ayami left the Company in 2021.
Leading Soloist
Ayami was born in Shiga, Japan and started ballet at the age of six at Jun Ballet Gakuen in Japan. She trained at Académie de Danse Classique Princesse Grace in Monaco for three years. After graduating in 2009 Ayami joined Northern Ballet before moving on to perform with Ballet Ireland in 2011 and Singapore Dance Theatre from 2012. She rejoined Northern Ballet in 2014.
Learn more about Ayami...
Where were you born and raised?
Shiga, Japan.
At what age did you start dancing?
At 6 years old.
Where did you train?
Jun Ballet Gakuen in Japan and Académie de Danse Classique Princesse Grace in Monaco.
Previous companies
Ballet Ireland, Singapore Dance Theatre.
Awards/nominations/prizes
Awarded a Scholarship for Académie de Danse Classique Princesse Grace in 2006.
Favourite Northern Ballet roles
Young Cathy in Wuthering Heights, Suzuki in Madame Butterfly, Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker and Odette/Odilia in Swan Lake.
Career highlights
Joining Northern Ballet in 2009 and performing works by David Nixon including the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker and Odette/Odilia in Swan Lake. Dancing Scheherazade with Ballet Ireland and, with Singapore Dance Theatre, performing the Pas de Trois, Cygnets and Spanish dance in Swan Lake, Fairy of Song and Princess Florine in Sleeping Beauty, Peasant Pas de Deux and Moyna in Giselle and Sugar Plum Fairy and Spanish dance in The Nutcracker. Also performing Nils Christe’s Organ Concerto and ZIN!, Val Caniparoli’s Chant and Lambarena, and Edward Liang’s The Wings of Zephyrus, Opus 25 (for 25th Anniversary Gala of Singapore Dance Theatre) and Age of Innocence.
What do you like most about being a dancer?
When I’m on stage and I can feel all the other dancers’ and the audience’s energy.
If you could adapt one work into a ballet what would it be?
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.
What is your favourite book?
Japanese mystery.
What is your favourite post-show meal?
Rice and meat.
How do you like to relax?
Massage and sleep!
If you weren’t a dancer what would you be?
A lawyer.
Header photo taken by Justin Slee. Other photos taken by Emily Nuttall, Lauren Godfrey, Riku Ito, Justin Slee, Guy Farrow and Emma Kauldhar.