Meet Ayaka Kamei Cento

We were lucky to catch up with Ayaka Kamei Cento recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ayaka, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

By questioning yourself—what brings you joy and how you can contribute to world peace—you can uncover deeper meaning in your passions.

I used to feel like I danced primarily for myself: I want to feel happy, I want to dance on stage and be in the spotlight, I want the applause. But as I began reflecting on what, how, and why, my perspective expanded. I realized that while my own joy was important, there was even greater fulfillment in sharing that joy with others.

From there, new ideas began to emerge: Bringing people together brings me more joy. Dancing with meaning and purpose brings me joy. Teaching the next generation and supporting others brings me joy. These realizations helped me see how my passion for dance could contribute, even in small ways, to making the world a more uplifting and inspiring place.

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?

As a dancer, I am honored to be one of the original performers in the new production of Aida at the Metropolitan Opera. We opened on New Year’s Eve and have 17 shows running through May. I was part of the closing cast of the previous production of Aida, so it is thrilling to be involved in two different versions of this magnificent opera.

As a dance educator, I teach children of all ages in both private dance schools and public schools. I am dedicated to transforming the world into a more inspiring place where children are free to be creative and independent. Watching their confidence grow, seeing them learn to work as a team, and helping them express their feelings freely through both words and movement bring me immense joy. Through this work, I feel I am making a meaningful contribution to society while also learning from my students how to be a better human.

Combining my experiences as a professional dancer and educator, I am currently in the process of establishing a nonprofit organization called Art Couriers International. I produce events at venues such as senior centers, hospitals, and foster care homes, aiming to deliver exceptional performing arts experiences while also providing performance opportunities for talented artists who may be emerging, immigrant, students, or unemployed. My most recent production at a senior center, The Nutcracker and Marie, was a huge success for both the artists and the residents and staff. We had a truly wonderful time together!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Openness, dedication, and persistence come to mind as essential qualities.

My college, SUNY Purchase, had the slogan “Think Wide Open,” and I resonated with it deeply. I have been fortunate to experience various dance styles, teaching methods, cultures, and opportunities throughout my life so far. The best things have come to me when I was open to accepting and trying new ideas and challenges. For example, I initially aspired to join a ballet company, but the freelance route came my way, and I embraced it. Had I been fixed on ballet alone, I might not have experienced the incredible opportunities I’ve had, such as dancing at the MET, performing in The Phantom of the Opera, and discovering my love for teaching.

Of course, without dedication and a commitment to doing my best, none of these opportunities would have come to me. Hard work has deepened my love for dance, and I know that people trust me because of my work ethic. I feel a strong responsibility to deliver my best, and I cherish the sense of accomplishment that comes with it. I am dedicated to following my passion and striving to make the world a better place.

It hasn’t always been easy. As you can imagine, I’ve faced countless rejections and still get cut at auditions! However, I firmly believe that “everything happens for a reason,” and I’ve learned to move on after a brief moment of feeling down and reflecting. I would much rather try and fail than regret not taking a chance. Giving up is far easier than persevering, but I believe that if you’re passionate about something, there’s no reason not to pursue it.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

My parents believed in me but also reassured me that failing is okay and that there is always a place to come back to and start again. At the age of 16, they let me leave home to pursue my passion. I graduated from a ballet school in England and began my career with a second company there. Unfortunately, the company’s director ran off with the money, leaving all the dancers without jobs.

After auditioning for dozens of dance companies and facing rejection after rejection, I became exhausted, gave up on dancing, and returned home at age 20. My parents accepted me without judgment. They didn’t pressure me to keep pushing; instead, they allowed me to find peace with my life and decisions. They gave me the time I needed while gently suggesting other possible paths.

In the end, I realized that I still wanted to dance. Now, here I am in New York, living my second chance and determined not to waste it.

I am eternally grateful to my parents for letting me fall and for always being there to help me learn to run again.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ayakakamei.com
• Instagram: @akdance.ny
• Other: Art Couriers International

  www.artci.org (Coming soon)
  Instagram @art.couriers.international
  YouTube: https://youtube.com/@artcouriersinternational?feature=shared

Image Credits

Personal Photo: Matthew Willman
Red and Green costume: Greg Mills
White costume: Bohyun Yoon
Black tank top on the street: MorDance
Back lit jump picture : Victoria DeMartin
Headshot: Vincent Cento
Senior center performance and logo: Art Couriers International