In this captivating interview, Yuriko Kajiya shares the remarkable journey that took her from an eight-year-old in Japan to an internationally celebrated principal ballerina. She reflects on the challenges of leaving home at ten to train in China, describing the difficulty of the transition and the discipline it instilled in her. Surprisingly, she admits that ballet wasn’t an immediate passion — it was in the quiet hours of practice, pushing herself beyond what she thought possible, that she fell in love with the art form. She offers invaluable advice to young dancers, emphasizing avoiding comparison to others as well as the importance of seeking out challenges rather than avoiding them, as true growth comes from constantly pushing past one’s limits. Her wisdom and warmth shine through as she discusses how she continues to evolve, treating each new role as an opportunity to refine her artistry and deepen her emotional connection with the audience.The Dancer’s Dialogue is a project in association with DanceApply.com. Please like, subscribe and tell your friends. Visit DanceApply.com for more content and resources on dance auditions. Hosted by Erika June Christina LaingMusic by Working Breed, Song title: “Ballerina”The Dancer's Dialogue © 2024-2025 by Dancers Connect LLC is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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