We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tsubasa Nishioka a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tsubasa, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I don’t have a naturally gifted physique, nor do I believe I have any special talents. I consider myself clumsy and slow to grasp things. However, I’ve been able to choose and follow the path I love. Why? It’s all thanks to my dance master.
He constantly encouraged me, gave me options, and provided me with the foundation and techniques of dance. Through continuous practice, I was able to achieve results in competitions, and through numerous performances, I discovered my own value.
Once you find your strengths, it leads to confidence, and you naturally work on refining them. I’m always grateful to my master, Fumihito Shimizu, for nurturing me in this way.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I believe that art has the power to draw people into a world beyond reality.
The first stage performance I ever saw was the musical CATS. The moment I entered the theater, the set design made me feel as though I was seeing the world from a cat’s perspective, and even before the show started, I was filled with excitement and anticipation. I couldn’t wait to see which cat would appear next, or how the story would unfold. I was on the edge of my seat, my heart racing all the way to the curtain call.
From that moment, I started dancing. No matter how tough things got or how low I felt, the time I spent dancing or immersed in art was always pure joy, allowing me to forget everything and fully lose myself in the moment. Whenever I danced, I connected my body to the emotions and thoughts I experienced through the art.
One day, a friend told me that watching my dance made them feel the strength of life, and that they found answers to their own struggles.
That was when I realized something: if I could move my own heart while creating a piece, I could also move others. To touch someone’s heart, I must first be moved myself.
From that point on, I became more aware of expressing my emotions and dancing with empathy, making sure my performance was not just self-indulgent, but something that resonates with others.
To expand my world further, I founded my own dance company, Feathers Dance Company, in January 2024. We held our first performance in August and are now active in both Japan and the United States. Together with my team, I look forward to creating many more works, and I appreciate your continued support.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
First, it’s about finding your own strength. It could be a physical characteristic, or it could be something you love and continue to hone. Having a unique strength that no one can beat gave me confidence.
Next is to experience various things. Imagination is important when it comes to expressing yourself, but the more experiences you have to draw from, the more realistic your expressions become. I believe these elements create depth in a work, so experiencing life is crucial.
Lastly, it’s about doing what excites you. Look ahead to where the path shines, and let your heart guide you towards what you truly want to do. I believe this is especially important.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents gave me many options, and thanks to that, I’ve been able to pursue the path I love.
They also taught me the importance of connections with people. There is one thing I feel particularly fortunate about: meeting good people and being able to connect with them. When I’m struggling or feeling stuck, my friends and colleagues help me.
Meeting my mentor, finding the best friends and companions—all of this was possible because my parents created the right environment for me from a young age. When I didn’t yet have the ability to make decisions, they allowed me to choose from the best options available.
It’s because of my parents’ character that I’m able to dance today, and I’m deeply grateful to them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cofeathers.online
- Instagram: @feathersdancecompany
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