(Transcript from World News Radio)
The Australian Ballet is welcoming its first Japanese dancer to the role of Principal Artist.
At just 24 years of age, Ako Kondo says she's been offered the opportunity of a lifetime.
Alyshia Gates has the story.
(Click on audio tab to listen to this item)
For the Australian Ballet's newest star.. Ako Kondo's promotion to principal artist.. is a dream come true.
"I'm honoured I still can't believe it that it actually happened last night. This morning I got up and thought was it real or not family and I was like wow it actually happened and on the way to the theatre this morning I was excited to come in but being the Principal is just exciting."
Ako's mother was visiting from Japan.. when she witnessed the surprise announcement.. after her final performance as Giselle at the Sydney Opera House.
"Giselle has been a really special ballet to my mum I remember when I was little she was saying can you do Giselle but I was always an energy crazy girl so I was always cast as something else not to Giselle but when I told her I was cast as giselle she said I'm going to see your Giselle and she was in tears when she saw my Giselle and when this happened just a really special night to me."
Ako's own story tells like a real-life fairytale.
She went to ballet classes in Japan from age 3.. after her mother noticed her dancing around the house.
At 10 years old she moved to a professional ballet studio..
As a teenager she won second prize at the Japan Grand Prix, studied at The Royal Ballet School's International Summer School and toured with The Dancers Company.
In 2007 won a scholarship to the Australian ballet school..
Then shone in roles from the Nutcracker to Paquita.
It was in Australia she met and partnered her prince.
A star in his own right.. Chengwu Guo.. played the teenage Li Cunxin in the award-winning film Mao's Last Dancer.
Ako says performing together on stage brought them closer.
"He always supports me and sometimes I struggle in the ballet and Chen is really positive and always pushing me and it's very helpful he is also a principal artist and my lifetime partner."
Ako says it's a partnership.. for now.. with firm roots in Australia.
"I just love the people I remember when I came to Australia couldn't actually speak any English like what I said was yes how are you thank you bye excuse me and I remember everyone just came up to me trying to have a conversation but I couldn't understand and everyone was just doing the big gestures I just thought everyone was really kind and nice and lovely."
At the moment the Sydney Opera House is Ako's second home.
She says she spends up to 12 hours a day rehearsing, performing.. eating.. and napping.
"Sometimes we miss out on a beautiful day outside when we have double show day today is actually a beautiful day and we are going to be in the theatre all day but you know we love the job we love the ballet so it's always staying inside and having a great time."
Other foreign dancers share her fondness..
Of the 70 in the company.. 10 are from France.. Ukraine.. the United States.. China and Japan.
Share
