Meet Mari Takayama

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mari Takayama. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Mari, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?

I developed my ability to take risks through the major decisions I have made in my life as a dancer.

In 2021, I moved from Japan to the United States. It was during the pandemic, and although it felt uncertain and difficult, I believed that taking that risk would help me grow. Looking back, that decision completely changed my life. Since then, I have been working as a freelance ballet dancer in New York. If I had stayed in Japan, I might have continued dancing in some way, but I would never have experienced touring across the U.S., performing Off-Broadway, or building my life here.

In 2022, I achieved a dream I once thought I had to give up: becoming a professional ballet dancer. I have always been petite—both as a child and even now—and I don’t have the “ideal” physique people often imagine for a ballerina. Because of that, I once believed becoming a professional dancer was impossible, and I let go of the dream for a time. But after moving to the United States, I devoted myself to training and auditions, and eventually I joined a ballet company. That moment proved to me that even a dream I once thought was out of reach could become reality.

In 2024, I left the ballet company and began exploring new opportunities in musical theatre and Broadway. It was another risk, but just six months later I was hired for a national tour, which became one of the most valuable and unforgettable experiences of my career.

These experiences taught me that staying in my comfort zone limits growth, while stepping into the uncomfortable zone leads to development and new opportunities. They also showed me the importance of letting go of fixed ideas—such as what a ballerina “should” look like—in order to create my own path.

Now, after finishing the tour, I am once again at a new beginning. For now, my dream is to perform on Broadway—but I know that once I achieve it, new dreams will follow. I have learned that when I take risks and free myself from fixed ideas, new doors always open. That is how I keep growing.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a professional ballet dancer and teacher based in New York City. I began my career performing with ballet companies, and later I had the opportunity to appear on national tours and Off-Broadway stages. No matter what kind of stage I’m on, the happiness I feel when performing in front of an audience never changes.

A recent highlight for me was performing at the official Climate Week NYC event, “Once Upon a Dream: A Gala to Celebrate Youth Climate Action,” at The Ailey Citigroup Theater in Manhattan on September 25, 2025. I danced in “Painted Skies: Chiaroscuro of Forgotten Children” (choreographed by Zoe Katherine Liebold), a piece that conveyed themes of the environment and the future through dance. After the performance, I learned that there were people in the audience who were moved to tears, which made me realize once again how dance can truly touch people’s hearts and inspire new perspectives on society and the future. As a Japanese dancer, I felt deeply proud to stand on such an international and socially meaningful stage.

Also, this December, I’ll be performing again as a national guest artist in The Nutcracker. It will be my fourth consecutive year dancing the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy, a dream role for many dancers, and I feel truly honored every time I perform it.

I’m also an ABT Certified Teacher, and I find great joy in teaching children. Watching their growth is incredibly rewarding, and at the same time, I continue to learn from them. Their curiosity, energy, and passion constantly inspire me and push me toward new challenges.

Through ballet, and through dance, I hope to continue contributing as an artist, bringing inspiration, fresh perspectives, and meaningful connections to people across generations and communities.

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?

Looking back, three things have been most important in my journey.
First, building connections — meeting and talking with many people has often led to unexpected opportunities, and being around top professionals has inspired me to grow.
Second, taking action — chances don’t wait, so it’s important to move quickly and not be afraid to try.
And third, always learning — no matter how experienced you become, staying curious and hungry to grow is essential.

My advice for those starting out is to connect with people, take action without hesitation, and never stop learning.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

Over the past 12 months, I have grown beyond the frame of being only a ballet dancer and have developed as an artist as a whole. Trying new things takes a lot of courage and comes with risks, but I learned that stepping out of my comfort zone makes me stronger, helps me grow, and allows me to see worlds I never imagined. This experience has expanded my possibilities and has become a great treasure in my life, giving me confidence as a performer. Most importantly, I’ve learned not to compare myself to others, but to accept and value who I am.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maritakayama_ballet/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mari-takayama-42097523a

Image Credits

Jessalyn Lorrig
Cruz Hartman