Ayako Nakano is a dancer based in Basel since 2001. Born in Tokyo, as a young dancer she was awarded in numerous competitions and was the winner in Prix de Lausanne 1992, receiving a scholarship which ultimately led me to the famous ‘Royal Ballet School’ in London. In 1994 her professional ballet career began as a “soloist” of the “Ballet Zürich“. From 1996 further stages followed, each as a “soloist” at the “Oper Köln“, the “Staatstheater Saarbrücken” and the “Komische Oper Berlin“. In 1998 I was selected as one of four “soloists”, all former winners of the “Prix de Lausanne“, for the opening gala of the “Nagano Olympic Games“. Since 2001 she was part of the ballet ensemble “Theater Basel” as “principal dancer” with success in all works choreographed by the director of the ballet company, Richard Wherlock and the extended repertoire of the company throughout 22 years. In 2004 being part of the “NHK Ballet Gala” in Tokyo and Osako as principal of “Romeo & Juliet”. Also I was a guest dancer together with other famous principals at the “Festival Dei Due Mondi” in Spoleto in 2005, performing “Bolero” and “Romeo & Juliet” and in 2007 for “Le Sacre du Printemps”. In 2013 she returned to the “Prix de Lausanne“, this time in the coaching role of the “contemporary solo”. Over the years, she has also been fortunate enough to maintain her connection to Japan through regular performances at the “Aoyama Ballet Festival Gala”. Since 2017 she is the director of the “Urayasu Ballet Academy” in Tokyo. After 35 years of stage experience, Ayako teaches ballet, is choreographic assistant of different renowned choreographers such as Richard Wherlock and Stijn Celis among others. She continues to enjoy being on stage and sharing with others artists. She is the mother of 2 children.
ayakokame@aol.com
