Mizuka Ueno

Each month we highlight a Prix de Lausanne-related international dance artist.

Name: Mizuka Ueno

Birthplace: Kobe, Japan

Training: Sachiko Ogura Ballet Studio (Japan), Asami Maki Junior ballet troupe (Japan), Académie de Danse Classique Princesse Grace (Monaco)

Prix de Lausanne: Laureate 1993

Previous companies/positions: Principal dancer, Asami Maki Ballet

Current company/position: Principal dancer, The Tokyo Ballet

Favorite roles/choreographies: ”It is hard to pick, since the work I love the most is the work I dance at the moment!“

Career highlight:

• Participating in the 12th World Ballet Festival with Mathieu Ganio and David Makhateli (2009, Tokyo).
• Appointed by M. Maurice Béjart to perform “Melody” of BOLERO, and rehearsed with him.

Message to the Prix de Lausanne candidates: “Prix de Lausanne was the turning point of my life as a ballerina.  I hope every candidates could fully enjoy this opportunity; such happiness to share the stage with dancers of your generation from various countries, to dance on the stage of Théâtre de Beaulieu, and the city of Lausanne itself.”

Message to the Prix de Lausanne organisation: “It was after Prix de Lausanne I was able to think of becoming a professional dancer for the first time.  The Scholarship prize was such an encouragement for me, to see hope in my future as a dancer.  Before this prize, I had never felt any better to the other girls. On the contrary, I always felt inferior to the others.
I am truly grateful to Prix de Lausanne for giving me a chance to study at such a wonderful school, and made me believe in myself to choose ballet for my professional career.
I trust this concours will go on giving the young dancers great hopes and dreams.
In the future, I would love to return to the stage of Théâtre de Beaulieu.”

Link: http://thetokyoballet.com