AS IS | Rikako Shibamoto

Ballet Dancer at The Royal Danish Ballet

From Japan

Based in Copenhagen, Denmark

We interviewed wonderful Rikako Shibamoto on her ballet journey, perspectives of the dance industry, and steps to make when you are just starting.

A: Please, tell us a bit more about yourself. What brought you to ballet?

R: I’m Rikako Shibamoto from Japan. Currently 22years old working at Royal Danish Ballet.

I started ballet when I was 3 years old. Actually, none of my family is, particularly into ballet. But I and my sister would always dance around the living room, so our parents decided to place us in dance school.

At age 15 I was offered to study at Vienna ballet academy. So I left my family and move to Austria. And at age 17 I was able to join the Vienna state ballet company. I worked with director Manuel Legris for 4years.

Last year I joined Royal Danish Ballet. This is my second season.

A: Where do you find the inspiration?

R: I think mostly I get inspiration from my colleges In the class, in the rehearsals in the show. There are so much beauty and quality in each dancer and I try to steal those things as much as possible.

A: What would you recommend to someone who's new to the ballet and art of dance, what to begin with?

R: Enjoy expressing yourself with the music. Ballet is difficult and requires patience but the most important thing is to enjoy dancing !!!

A: Your top 3 favorite adjectives related to dance/ballet?

R: I would choose,

Aesthetic, creative, musical

A: The best angle to look at the ballet is from ...?

R: Any!!! I would say.

Depending on your favorite things could be closer to see the dancer's expressions, Far to see whole pictures, or closer to be orchestra to enjoy live music.

A: If you could change one thing in the world of ballet - what would it be?

R: I think I would like to create more opportunities for children to study ballet.

There are more scholarships and foundations to help students to pursue dreams nowadays but still, often it’s very expensive to get a ballet education and not everyone can afford it.

It will be ideal if everyone who loves ballet can get equal opportunities.

A: Please, share your favorite quote (not necessarily related to dance)

R: It’s one of my favorite quotes from an inspiring ballet dancer called Yoko Morishita:

“I have two hours of basic lessons every day.

This is an important lesson that supports my stage,

If you neglect the basic lessons for a day, you will find that your body is upset.

If you neglect for two days, your partner will know.

And if you neglect for three days, many people will understand.”

Thank you!

For more: visit