Haruka Takemi. Graduation Class of 2024

Haruka Takemi, a young performer from Japan, graduated from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy (class of Polina N. Kyrova) in 2024. When she was still a student, she received an invitation to join the company of the Nizhny Novgorod Opera and Ballet Theater, where she has been working for more than two months now.

Haruka decided to continue her bachelor studies at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, and joined the Ballet Teaching Techniques program.

Between her classes, Haruka shared her impressions and thoughts about her first solo performance at the theater.

I came to a new town and started my career at the Nizhny Novgorod Opera and Ballet Theater. In October, they staged Giselle, and I had my first chance to perform on stage. I was very happy, because I had finally reached my goal. After the completion of the first show, I was so overwhelmed with my impressions that I even burst into tears with joy. Early in November, there was another event very significant for me – I received my first solo part. The part of Cinderella in the Sleeping Beauty. My career had just begun, and right away I got such a chance to promote myself! We did not have too many rehearsals before the show, which made me quite nervous, but my instructors gave me a lot of help, so I managed to pull myself together and dance through my part. I am so grateful to the Management of the Theater for their trust in me. I will keep doing my best to grow professionally and creatively.

Well done, Haruka. We wish you new triumphs and accomplishments!

Photos by Irina Gladunko.