In this competition, every participant has a moment to shine on their own stage. Please join us by choosing the division that matches your goals, and use this as an opportunity to expand your potential.
Division A, the Pre-Competition Set Choreography Division, is for those seriously preparing for competitions or who wish to receive advice from the judges.
Division A, the Pre-Competition Set Choreography Division, is for those seriously preparing for competitions or who wish to receive advice from the judges.
Similar to Division A, this is for those seriously preparing for competitions or who wish to receive advice from the judges.
In the Competition – Classic Division, participants may perform a free-choice piece. Scoring, evaluation, and ranking will be assigned.There are no preliminaries or finals; judging will be based on a single performance.
This is not just a place to compete. It is a bridge to the future that values each individual's dreams and growth.
This is the list of judges for the Wind Ballet Competition 2026 Tokyo
Judges are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
Kenichi Soki
Director, Soki Ballet International
Born in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Began training at age 3 under Mika Nemoto, Daniel Levans, Serge Stefanski, Roy Tobias, Peter Breuer, David Howard, and others.
In 1985, at the age of 16, he passed the audition for the Universal Ballet Company, becoming its youngest member. He officially joined the company after graduating from high school.
In 1990, he joined the Hong Kong Ballet as a soloist.
From 1991, he joined the Salzburg State Theatre Ballet in Austria as a soloist, performing throughout Europe, including in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, and Spain.
Returned to Japan in 1996.
From 1997, he was contracted as a soloist with the New National Theatre Ballet, Tokyo, and opened Soki Ballet International in Sendai City in the same year.
In 1999, he opened a dedicated ballet studio in Teraoka, Izumi Park Town, Izumi-ku, Sendai, shifting his base to Sendai to begin teaching full-time.
In 2007, he choreographed the enchaînement for the Junior/Senior Men's division at the 18th All Japan Ballet Competition of the Japanese Ballet Association.
In 2010, 2011, 2016, and 2017, he served as a judge and choreographed the enchaînement for both women and men at the Japanese Ballet Association Kyushu-Kita Branch Ballet Competition.
In 2012, upon recommendation by Mr. Kenji Usui, he served as a Japanese judge for the 25th Varna International Ballet Competition.
Since 2013, he has been a regular judge for the All Japan Ballet Union.
In 2016, he served as a judge for the Korea International Ballet Competition.
Since 2017, he has been a regular judge for the Canaan International Ballet Competition (Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan).
In 2018, he taught at the Dutch National Ballet Academy. He choreographed "Grand Défilé" for Chula Vista Ballet (San Diego, USA). His choreographed work "Romance" won 1st place in the Contemporary Junior Division at the YAGP 2019 Japan Preliminaries.
Since 2019, he has been coordinating scholarships and teaching for the Kirov Academy of Ballet of Washington D.C.
Since 2020, he has been a judge and master class teacher at the Miami International Ballet Competition.
He currently teaches workshops and variation coaching both in Japan and internationally, using his "Self-Acceptance Theory" to provide lessons that balance the mind and body.
■ Director, Soki Ballet International
■ Member, Miyagi Prefecture Western Dance Association
■ Councilor, Asia Ballet Academy
■ 16th Varna International Ballet Competition (Bulgaria), Senior Division, Organizing Committee Award
■ 6th Paris International Dance Competition, Classical Senior Division, Prizewinner
■ 60th Tokyo Shimbun National Dance Competition, Outstanding Teacher Award
■ 1st Ballet Competition for Youth in Sendai, Outstanding Teacher Award
■ 2nd and 4th Japan Grand Prix, Teacher's Award
■ 1st Yokosuka International Ballet Competition, Outstanding Teacher Award
■ 16th Ballet Competition 21, Outstanding Teacher Award
■ 11th, 12th, and 13th All Japan Ballet Union Competition, Teacher's Award
Sachiko Sakurai
Studied under Asami Maki at the Tachibana Ballet School.
From 1984, moved to South Korea and studied ballet for six years at the Sunhwa Arts School.
Graduated from the Department of Dance at Ewha Womans University in South Korea.
Completed the Vaganova Method teacher training course.
Former Academy Director, Universal Ballet
Former Ballet Teacher at Sunhwa Arts School for 8 years.
Former Ballet Teacher at kaywon Arts middle school of Arts for 4 years.
Former Director of Ha-nul Ballet Studio.
Has produced numerous award winners at the Prix de Lausanne and the Youth America Grand Prix.
Excellent Teacher Award, The Dance Association of Korea.
Teacher's Award, Ballet Competition hosted by the Korea Ballet Academy Association.
Distinguished Service Award, Sejong University National Dance Competition and Sunhwa Arts School National Dance Competition.
Current Ballet Master, Korea Youth Ballet Stars.
Chikako Akiyama
Born in Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Started ballet at the age of 4.
2005: 1st place in the High School Division at the Machida All Japan Ballet Competition.
2006: Finalist at the Youth America Grand Prix.
Same year, participated in the ABT Summer Intensive in New York.
2008: 5th place in the High School Division at the NBA National Ballet Competition.
Received a scholarship award. Studied for one year as a trainee at the Vienna State Opera Ballet, under the tutelage of Evelyn Teri.
2009: Joined the Vienna State Opera Ballet.
Finalist at the Premio Roma Danza International Dance Competition in Italy.
2010: Joined the Slovak National Theatre Ballet.
After returning to Japan, she has been active as a stage actress, model, and musical actress.
2013: Holidays performance, dance-drama "Shaberu Onna" (The Talking Woman).
2014: Nazra V. E. project performance "Kodoku na Suhada, Suberikomu Ongaku" (Lonely Skin, Slipping Music).
Arks Theatre Company performance, musical "Zubon Sencho" (Captain Trousers).
2018: Participated in the art gallery "SICF19" at Spiral Cafe in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo, as a model and dancer for the work of headpiece artist Limo.
2019: Established brisa flor studio in Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
Teaches classical ballet to children and adults with the concept of "being gentle to mind and body."
Nanako Hayafuji
Born in Kyoto City, started ballet at the age of 4.
Studied under Shizuko Soda, Chikahisa Natsuyama, and Takahiro Harada at the Soda Ballet School.
2006: Short-term study at the Hamburg Ballet School.
2007: Enrolled in the Vienna State Opera Ballet School.
2009: Selected as a trainee for the Agency for Cultural Affairs' Program of Overseas Study for Upcoming Artists.
2010: After graduating, became a trainee at the Vienna State Opera Ballet, studying under Evelyn Teri and others.
Performed the pas de deux from "Grand Pas Classique" at a Ballet Gala in Italy.
Performed in London and Kenya with the touring Vienna Festival Ballet, dancing the lead roles in the full-length ballets "Swan Lake" and "The Sleeping Beauty."
2011: Joined the Czech National Theatre Ballet.
2014: Began teaching based in the Kansai region.
2022: Following her marriage, she relocated to Hyogo Prefecture and now teaches a wide range of students, from children to adults, in Himeji and Osaka.
2006: 7th place, Kobe Dance Competition
2006: Top 12, YAGP New York Finals
2007: 3rd place, YAGP Japan Preliminary
2007: Top 12, YAGP New York Finals
2008: Finalist, Premio Roma Danza
2009: Semi-finalist, Prix de Lausanne
2010: Semi-finalist, Jackson International Ballet Competition
| Address | 〒166-0011 1-22-32 Umeiri, Suginami Ward, Tokyo |
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| Phone Number | TEL: 03-3317-6611 (Please refrain from contacting the hall directly with inquiries about the competition.) |
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