Judges
This is the list of judges for the 2025 Wind Ballet Competition Shiga.
Please note that the judges are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
Head of Jury: Mr. Kenichi Soki
Kenichi Soki
Founder & Artistic Advisor, Soki Ballet International
Born in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture.
He began studying ballet at the age of three under Mika Nemoto, Daniel Levans, Serge Stefanschi,Roy Tobias, Peter Breuer, David Howard, and others.
In 1985, at the age of 16, he became one of the youngest dancers to pass the audition for the Universal Ballet Company, officially joining after graduating from high school.
In 1990, he moved to the Hong Kong Ballet as a soloist.
From 1991, he danced as a soloist with the Salzburg State Theatre Ballet in Austria, performing across Europe in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, and Spain.
He returned to Japan in 1996.
From 1997, he was contracted as a soloist with The National Ballet of Japan,Tokyo. In the same year, he founded Soki Ballet International in Sendai.
In 1999, he opened a purpose-built ballet studio in Izumi Park Town, Sendai, and established his base there to begin full-scale teaching.
In 2007, he choreographed the set combinations (enchaînement) for the Junior and Senior Men’s divisions at the 18th All Japan Ballet Competition of the Japan Ballet Association.
He also served as a judge and choreographer for the enchaînement in the Women’s and Men’s divisions at the Japan Ballet Association Kyushu North Branch Ballet Competitions in 2010, 2011, 2016, and 2017.
In 2012, upon the recommendation of Mr. Kenji Usui, he served as a Japanese judge at 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 at 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 and choreographed Grande Défilé for Chula Vista Ballet (San Diego, USA). His work Romance won 1st place in the Contemporary Junior Division at the YAGP 2019 Japan Semi-Final.
Since 2019, he has been coordinating scholarships and teaching at the Kirov Academy of Ballet of Washington DC.
Since 2020, he has been serving as a judge and master class teacher at the Miami International Ballet Competition.
He currently teaches workshops and competition coaching both in Japan and internationally, offering “lessons that balance mind and body,” based on his Self-Acceptance Theory.
Honors and Positions
• Founder & Artistic Advisor, Soki Ballet International
• Member, Miyagi Prefecture Western Dance Association
• Councilor, Asia Ballet Academy
• 16th Varna International Ballet Competition, Senior Division – Organizing Committee Award
• 6th Paris International Dance Competition, Classical Senior Division – Prize Recipient
• 60th Tokyo Shimbun National Dance Competition – Excellent Teacher Award
• 1st Sendai Ballet Competition for Youth – Excellent Teacher Award
• 2nd and 4th Japan Grand Prix – Teacher’s Award
• 1st Yokosuka International Ballet Competition – Excellent Teacher Award
• 16th Ballet Competition 21 – Excellent Teacher Award
• 11th, 12th, and 13th All Japan Ballet Union – Teacher’s Award
Judge: Ms. Yuko Ueki
Yuko Ueki
Born in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo in 1964.
Studied under Katsuko Okamoto.
Transferred to the Hirofumi Inoue Ballet Academy through an introduction by Katsuko Okamoto.
At the request of Hirofumi Inoue, trained under Daini Kudo for 3 months.
After attending the Rosella Hightower Ballet School in Nice, France, she studied under several teachers in Paris. Concurrently, she worked as a ballet mistress, substitute teacher, and tour coordinator for Daini Kudo. In 1988, she danced in Salzburg, Austria on a guest contract.
Afterwards, she worked as a ballet dancer at the Staatstheater Karlsruhe in Germany until 2001.
After retiring, she worked as a secretary and administrative assistant at Mercedes-Benz, and then taught at five ballet schools in Karlsruhe.
In 2019, she undertook short-term studies in Italy, France, and Switzerland to learn pantomime, theater, and clowning.
From October 2019, she started her own self-liberation class, "Maishinho," in Rome.
Since 2021, she has established an online course, offering Maishinho to a Japanese audience.
To date, she continues to teach students not only from Japan but also from the United States, France, and Australia.
Judge: Ms. Sachiko Sakurai
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.
Judge: Ms. Ayana Sonehara
Ayana Sonehara
Founder of LUMINOUS BALLET
Born in Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
Started ballet at the age of four.
2003
Studied at the English National Ballet School in the United Kingdom for two years from the age of 16.
Graduated at the top of her class and performed leading roles in the graduation performances.
2005
After returning to Japan, she continued performing on stage while also teaching ballet.
She has danced leading roles in full-length ballets including the Sugar Plum Fairy, Kitri, Giselle, Swanilda, Lise, Odette, and Odile, as well as character roles such as Carabosse and the Stepsisters in Cinderella.
December 2025
Founded LUMINOUS BALLET.
【Awards】
All Japan Ballet Union Competition
High School Division – 1st Place, Momoko Tani Award
NBA National Ballet Competition
Senior Division – 1st Place, Governor of Tokyo Award
NAGANO National Ballet Competition
Senior Division – 1st Place, Governor of Nagano Award
Body Conditioning Instructor: Mr. Kazuya Furukawa
Kazuya Furukawa
Kazuya Furukawa began studying Jazz Dance in Fukuoka in 2004 under Koji Otonari.
In 2006, he moved to the United States and studied at The Ailey School, the official school of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, as well as Ballet Arts at New York City Center. There, he trained in Ballet, Horton Technique, and Jazz Dance.
He studied Horton Technique under Ms. Forsythe, Ballet under former American Ballet Theatre company member Luis Villanueva and former New York City Ballet Principal Richard Marsden, and Jazz under Ms. Wong.
After graduating, he was based in New York State, where he performed as a professional dancer.
He joined Albany Berkshire Ballet as a principal dancer and participated in touring performances.
He also performed with Benjamin Briones Ballet, appearing in leading works including solos and duets.
In addition, he appeared as a guest dancer with The Next Stage Project, Mami Hariyama Ballet Studio, and other organizations.
He also performed as a dancer at Japan Day in Central Park, hosted by the Consulate General of Japan in New York.
He returned to Japan in 2019.
Since returning, he has been teaching dance while also obtaining a Pilates trainer certification through BASI Pilates.
He further studied anatomy and sports medicine at YMC, earning certifications as a bodywork therapist and stretch trainer.
He then began offering personal training specifically for dancers and opened BODY LABO, a personal training and bodywork salon.
He is the founder and director of BODY LABO.
Specializing in conditioning for dancers, he conducts more than 800 personal training sessions annually.
His expertise lies in improving physical function directly connected to dance movement and supporting dancers in enhancing their performance.
【Certifications】
BASI Certified Mat Instructor
IHTA Certified Bodywork Therapist
IHTA Certified Athletic Stretch Trainer
IHTA Certified Myofascial Release Therapist