Saeko Ichinohe Dance Company

 The Saeko Ichinohe Dance Company, founded in 1970, has three goals:

• to incorporate rich, historical Japanese traditions into contemporary Western Dance
• to inspire mutual understanding between diverse peoples and cultures through dance
• to nourish the heart, mind and soul through superb dance programs which bring joy and wonder to audiences of all ages, cultures and backgrounds

Saeko Ichinohe has been creating dance - merging traditional Japanese movement, music and costumes with modern Western movement continuously - since 1970. For info:  ... This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Fire-Eating Bird
Saeko Ichinohe: Dancer and Choreographer
Photo © Haruo Tomiyama

A native of Japan and a graduate of the Juilliard School, she is the first Japanese choreographer to win a choreographic prize in the U.S. and to create works for American ballet companies.

She is a winner of the Vstris Prize-First Place (Boston) the Second Prize at the Young Choreographers' Competition (Germany) and the St. Denis Award (NYC). Her works have been presented in China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Norway and Venezuela. She was the Japanese Delegate to UNESCO's first International Choreographers' Conference in NYC. She served as Director of Choreography for The Association of Regional Ballet.

She has created works for the Boston Ballet, Joffrey II Dancers, Atlanta Ballet, Chiang Ching Dance Company, Eglevsky Ballet, Julliard Dance Ensemble, Louisville Ballet, Marin Ballet, PHILDANCO and other companies.

Autumn Leaves
Dancer: Saeko Ichinohe
Choreography: Saeko Ichinohe 
Photo © Kenn Duncan

Ms. Ichinohe has taught Ballet Arts at the New York City Center for the Performing Arts, Boston Ballet Summer School, Briansky Saratoga Ballet Center, Brooklyn College, the Norwegian Ballet School, Hofstra University, the London Contemporary Dance School, Neighborhood Playhouse, the Netherlands Dance Theater and the New York City High School for the Performing Arts.

Her New York-based company has established a cultural bridge for Western audiences, combining an appreciation of the traditions and art forms of Japan with American contemporary dance. Her company members teach in New York City, in Tokyo, and in cities throughout the United States as guest teachers.