Meet Manatsu Aminaga

We recently connected with Manatsu Aminaga and have shared our conversation below.

Manatsu , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

My goals are always evolving; each time I achieve one, I discover the next. I break my goals down into specific stages: those that seem achievable in the near future, slightly more challenging ones, and long-term major goals. By organizing them this way, I can clearly focus on what I need to learn and where my attention should be at each stage of the process.

This approach keeps me constantly taking action and seeking new challenges. I value my time and the journey of life deeply.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

When I was two years old, my mother took me to a ballet studio. At first, I didn’t like ballet and would constantly run around the studio. However, when I saw the older students dancing in pointe shoes, I wanted to try it too, and that’s when I became passionate about ballet. In elementary school, I started participating in ballet competitions and dedicated myself to my lessons. But when I was 15 years old, I realized my height stopped at 4’10”. Later, when I went to a short-term ballet program in Germany, I saw many ballerinas with long arms and legs, and I became aware that no matter how hard I tried, I might not be suited for ballet.

Then, during a short-term ballet study in New York, I encountered contemporary dance. I also watched Broadway musicals and I still remember vividly feeling, “This is my place!” After that, I started contemporary dance training, discovering a new side of myself and becoming captivated by the limitless world of physical expression.

In 2021, I decided to study at the Peridance Center in New York, where I spent two years in intensive ballet and contemporary dance training. These two years brought significant changes to my life. Every day was spent immersing myself in language, culture, and dance styles, while also reflecting on myself.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The first strength is the ability to action rather than overthink. While thinking things through is valuable, overthinking can lead to endless loops that remain in the mind. I’ve learned from experience that once you take action, the next steps and the goal ahead become clearer on their own.

The second strength is the ability to maintain consistency. When you keep at something, there will always be ups and downs—good times and bad times. But I’m convinced that being able to continue despite the circumstances opens up numerous long-term opportunities. Through this process, I gain various insights, and instead of seeing it as success or failure, I view it as an opportunity to understand the current situation. Everything becomes a step toward the next stage.

The third strength is quality communication. In today’s world, we can connect with people all over the world with just a phone, which is convenient. However, what I value most is face-to-face communication. I believe that sharing thoughts together with someone’s energy and vision is incredibly important, whether in work or in personal life.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I am currently working as a freelance dancer/artist. In the past, I have done improvised collaborations with visual artists, fashion designers, and musicians. Each experience brings fresh inspiration, and it’s always exciting to feel how my body moves in response; I’m eager to continue expanding these collaborations.

At the moment, I’m especially interested in collaborating with artists who are passionate about live art. If you’re interested, please feel free to reach out.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: manatsu1210
• Facebook: Manatsu Aminaga

Image Credits

Paul Sokoloff
Natalia Sanchez
Kuoheng Huang