CHOREOGRAPHER
DANCER
SATOMI ITOHARA
SATOMI ITOHARA
After graduating from high school, Itohara moved to the United States and enrolled in the Department of Dance at Utah Valley University. She received a scholarship to study ballet and was selected for the Joffrey Ballet School Studio Company in New York.
After graduating from university, she moved to New York and began working as a freelance artist. In addition to performing in works by New York-based choreographers and dance companies, her own choreographic works have been presented at international festivals in New York, India, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, and other locations.
In 2024, she presented her first self-produced performance in Yokohama. In 2025, she was selected for the Yamaguchi Artist Support Program at Akiyoshidai International Art Village and presented a performance in Yamaguchi. With a strong foundation in ballet, she creates and promotes contemporary ballet works centered on physical structure and partnering, combining abstraction with a striking sense of visual beauty.
Beginning with her studies and artistic practice in the United States,
she has worked as a choreographer and dancer in Japan and internationally.
EDUCATION Ballet Studies in the United States USA
After graduating from high school, Itohara moved to the United States and enrolled in the Department of Dance at Utah Valley University. She received a scholarship to study ballet and was later selected for the Joffrey Ballet School Studio Company in New York.
NEW YORK New York-Based Practice 2015–2016
After graduating from university, Itohara moved to New York and began working as a freelance artist. She performed as a dancer in works by New York-based choreographers and companies while also presenting her own choreographic works.
In 2016, she received the Innovative Choreography Award
at Ballet Inc. Series Vol. I.
INTERNATIONAL Performances in Japan and Abroad 2017–2024
Her choreographic works have been presented in New York, India, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, and other locations. By presenting work at international dance festivals, she continues to expand the scope of her artistic practice.
SANCE Independent Productions and Current Practice 2024–2025
In 2024, SANCE / Satomi Itohara presented its first self-produced performance, “Meguru,” in Yokohama.
In 2025, the project was selected for the Yamaguchi Artist Support Program at Akiyoshidai International Art Village, where “Live Music & Contemporary Ballet Performance: Meguru in Yamaguchi” was presented.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
A contemporary ballet project directed by
choreographer and dancer Satomi Itohara.
Rooted in a strong foundation of classical ballet, SANCE creates works centered on physical structure and partnering.
With the aim of creating and promoting contemporary ballet that combines abstraction with striking visual beauty, SANCE presents its works in Japan and internationally.
CREATION
Creation of contemporary ballet works
PERFORMANCE
Presentations at theatres and festivals
INTERNATIONAL
Ongoing creative practice in Japan and abroad