Dance Interview with a Female Professional Dancer

Ayuka Nitta centre stage — _{Image credit: Albiru Muriel Photography}

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Table of Contents

INTERVIEW WITH PROFESSIONAL DANCER – AYUKA NITTA (FROM BALLET NACIONAL ESPANA)

In this interview, we’ll ask professional dancer Ayuka Nitta a series of questions, to help you with your dance career.

HOW DID YOU BECOME A PROFESSIONAL DANCER?

I started ballet when I was 10-years old.

Ever since I was little, I loved to dance and watch shows (my parents often took me to Tokyo Disneyland).

Then one day, I watched my friend’s ballet school performance of The Nutcracker.

I remember it was so sparkly. It was like nothing that I had ever seen before.

After that, I asked my parents if I could do ballet. They said yes, and that’s how I began!

WHAT’S YOUR DREAM ROLE THAT YOU’D LIKE TO PERFORM AS A PROFESSIONAL DANCER?

“Kitri” from Don Quixote has always been my dream.

I finally got the chance to dance this role in 2023!

Now, my next goal is to dance choreography from William Forsythe.

professional dancers on stage performing Don Quixote — _{Image credit: Albiru Muriel Photography}

WHAT TYPE OF BALLET CONDITIONING OR STRENGTHENING DO YOU INCORPORATE INTO YOUR WEEKLY PRACTICE?

I’m currently doing Pilates and Gyrotonic once a week with a personal trainer, and when my schedule is not too busy, I also do Hot Yoga.

I like to do many different types of conditioning, as each activity has many benefits and works the body differently.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE AS A PROFESSIONAL DANCER?

Wake up around 7.30/7.45 am and start to get ready
Leave home at 8.50/9.00am to walk to the ballet studio (arrive one hour before class starts)
Dance class at 10.15am (1 hour and 15 minutes), with a short 15-minute break
2-hour rehearsal
30-minute lunch break
2-hour rehearsal
Finish around 4.15 pm (heaps of free time)

Most days, I like to do extra exercise for myself, normally Pilates, Yoga, or Gyrotonics. I’m also taking Spanish language classes twice a week.

AS A PROFESSIONAL DANCER, WHAT DO YOU VALUE MORE, TECHNIQUE OR ARTISTRY?

When I was younger, I used to focus more on technique, but as I continued to grow as a dancer, I realised the importance of being an artist.

It’s very important how you portray yourself, not just in the studio but also on stage. It’s not just about the final product, but also everything in between.

Ayuka Nitta practice ballet performance in class — _{Image credit: Albiru Muriel Photography}

I try to dance, feeling all the nerves in my body, from my head to my fingertips and toes.

Even if it feels like a very small detail, you can tell the difference!

WHO HAS BEEN YOUR MOST IMPORTANT PROFESSIONAL MENTOR?

Everyone!

It’s hard for me to choose because all the dancers, teachers, ballet master/mistress, and choreographers I’ve worked with and continue to work with are fantastic mentors.

They inspire me in many different ways.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE DANCERS TRANSITIONING INTO A NEW COMPANY?

Each company always has something good and rewarding to offer and parts that I haven’t particularly liked.

So it’s important to find ways to stay motivated and make yourself happy.

I always try to keep my goals in mind and just keep trying!

WHAT IS THE MOST SATISFYING THING ABOUT BEING A PROFESSIONAL DANCER?

BEING JAPANESE, WHAT TIPS CAN YOU SHARE ABOUT APPLYING STAGE MAKEUP?

My main focus is always my eyes. I like to use darker shades of eyeshadow (mostly brown), and I spend a lot of time applying eyeliner. This stage makeup technique makes a big difference.

Each role and stage is different, so depending on this, sometimes I use fake eyelashes to make my eyes stand out.

A good technique is to put different shades on your eyes to create shadows and apply colours for contrast.

ASIDE FROM DANCE, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?

I’d like to live in Madrid.

It’s a big city, and there are always so many events and things to do. When the weather’s nice, I enjoy going to the park to relax.

I try to participate in language exchange and have recently tried painting with ceramics. My new hobby at the moment is ‘bordering’.

I like to go out to a bar to have a drink with friends, but not to a club. I dance enough already…hahaha.

Professional dancer on pointe during ballet rehearsal — _{Image credit: Albiru Muriel Photography}

RAPID FIRE

Disney or Marvel? Disney!!!!!

Classical or Contemporary? I used to like Classical, but these days I enjoy performing Contemporary pieces. If I had to choose, I’d probably choose Neoclassical, a mix of both.

Pilate or Yoga? Mmm….both.