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Yukari Ikegaya was born and trained in Shizuoka Japan at the foot of the iconic Mt. Fuji. Yukari built a formidable professional foundation before making her mark in New York. Her early career was distinguished by performances at major theme parks, musical theater productions, and television commercials....Read more
Yukari Ikegaya was born and trained in Shizuoka Japan at the foot of the iconic Mt. Fuji. Yukari built a formidable professional foundation before making her mark in New York. Her early career was distinguished by performances at major theme parks, musical theater productions, and television commercials. She also gained significant visibility performing in halftime shows for the J.League and appearing on NHK’s Kohaku Uta Gassen, Japan’s most prestigious annual New Year’s Eve television special.
Upon establishing her base in New York City to advance her career in theater and dance, Yukari has established herself as a versatile performer and choreographer. Her credits include notable Off-Broadway productions as well as various prestigious dance performances and international festivals. Currently, she is a member of the Vissi Dance Theater under Artistic Director Courtney Ffrench, based at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center. Her international reach is extensive; she has toured the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean, while also serving as Associate Producer for the company's global tours. Beyond the stage, Yukari directed and performed for the Sakura Collection New York fashion shows in 2022 and 2024. Her commercial portfolio includes appearances as a model and dancer for global brands such as New Era and Citibank. Extensively featured in international media, she has been featured on NHK’s Cool Japan, Television Jamaica’s Daytime Live, and CVM Sunrise. Notably, her professional journey in New York City was captured in a dedicated documentary series produced by her hometown broadcasting network, which offered an in-depth look at her life as an artist in the United States.
Dedicated to sharing her artistry, Yukari now serves as a faculty member and choreographer at world-renowned studios in New York City, including Broadway Dance Center. Her influence extends internationally through high-demand workshops in Japan, where she bridges the New York and Japanese dance communities by sharing her global expertise with aspiring artists. Committed to mentoring the next generation, she views teaching, choreography, and production as essential extensions of her artistic expression and lifelong passion.
Official Website
www.yukariikegaya.com
Class Descriptions
"The Foundation is Everything”
True mastery begins with an uncompromising foundation. This class is dedicated to the "basics of the basics," emphasizing that a solid technical platform is the absolute requirement for all artistic growth. I provide a meticulous breakdown of the mechanics for every movement, focusing on the precision of footwork, proper weight placement, and foundational weight shifts. While we focus on the details, we never lose sight of the fun of making music with our feet. By mastering these essentials, you will build the confidence and rhythmic awareness necessary for high-level expression.
“Rhythmic Clarity & Full-Body Mobility”
Building on the principles of Basic Tap, this class reinforces the philosophy that the foundation remains everything, even as we increase speed and complexity. We move beyond in-place work to focus on traveling combinations and movement across the floor, integrating active weight shifts and full-body coordination. As we explore fluid motion through space, we focus on the joy of "dancing" rather than just executing steps. While maintaining an unwavering commitment to pristine clarity of sound, we begin to explore how your movements can translate into a sophisticated, whole-body percussive dance.
“Technical Proficiency & Creative Freedom”
Taking the foundation to the next level, this class challenges you with faster, more complex rhythmic patterns. We emphasize the speed of picking up combinations, training your mind and body to absorb intricate footwork with efficiency. While we continue to demand pristine clarity, the focus expands toward individual expression and creative freedom. You will be encouraged to explore your own stylistic voice and infuse the choreography with your personality. This class is designed to bridge the gap between intermediate technique and true artistry, finding the fun in complex rhythms.