Eriko Nakajima —

Eriko Nakajima
Company Artist

Birthplace

Saitama, Japan

Age started dancing

Four

Training

Opéra National de Paris Corps de Ballet (2016-2018) Paris/ France,
Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et Danse de Paris (2015-2016) Paris/ France,
Epris Ballet Studio (2004-2015) Saitama/ Japan,
Mase Ballet Studio (2003-2004) Saitama/ Japan

Queensland Ballet 

Jette Parker Young Artist 2019

Favourite roles

Juliet from Romeo & Juliet, Tatiana from Onegin

Repertoire includes

  • Opéra National de Paris: 24 swans and Fiancées from Swan Lake (Rudolf Nureyev), Fairies, dogs and corps de ballet of marriage at act 2 from Midsummer Night’s Dream (George Balanchine), Corps de ballet from Suite en Blanc (Serge Lifar), Corps de ballet from La Valse (George Balanchine), Effie’s friends and 20 sylphides from La Sylphide (Pierre Lacotte), Chickens and 12 dancers from La fille mal gardée (Frederick Ashton)
  • Gala in Japan: La sylphide (August Bournonville) 
  • Conservatoire de Paris: Soliste from Theme & Variation (George Balanchine), 3rd variation of Odalisque from Le Corsaire, 3rd variation My one and only from Who cares? (George Balanchine)
  • Epris Ballet Studio: Gamzatti from La Bayadère, Diana, Pas de Quatre (Anton Dolin), Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, Corps de Ballet from Paquita
  • Competions: Variation of Lira & blue bird from Sleeping Beauty, 2nd variation at act 2 from La Bayadère, Variation of Etoile from Paquita, Variation of Sylvia, Variation of Raymond at act 2 from Raymonda, Variation of the Queen of Forest from Don Quixote

Favourite roles to perform

La Sylphide because it is the oldest ballet among Romantic Ballet and historical work that is not an exaggeration to say, “This is The Romantic Ballet!.” I love this story that draws the forbidden love between a fairy and a human. It was a lot of fun to find how to act like a fairy with delicate and beautiful movements.

Roles I would love to dance

Cinderella, Nikiya from La Bayadère, Medora from Le Corsaire

Dance inspiration

My favorite dancers have a presence, have a sense of stability and expressive power comes out naturally. I am inspired by such dancers and I want to be like this. If someone can feel something by looking at my dance even a little, I think it also leads to inspiration for my dance.

Awards and achievements

  • 2015: Semi finalist / Prix de Lausanne 2015 (Lausanne, Suisse)
  • 2014: 1st place/ National Japan Grand Prix (Tokyo, Japan)
              1st place/ Ballet Concours in Yokohama (Yokohama, Japan)
  • 2013: 1st place & Prize of excellent/ Ballet Concours in Yokohama (Yokohama, Japan)
  • 2012: 1st place/ National Concours in Tokyo (Tokyo, Japan)
  • 2011: 1st place/ Elimination phase ob YAGP in Japan (Tokyo, Japan)
  • 2010: 1st place & Special prize/ Ballet Concours in Yokohama (Yokohama, Japan)
              1st place/ All Japan Ballet Union (Saitama, Japan)

Did you know?

My hobbies include listening to music, watching movies, looking for delicious coffee and tea