Meet Sayumi Ino

We recently connected with Sayumi Ino and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have SAYUMI with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

When I was 9 years old, I watched an audition show for the first time. At the time, it was a program called “ASAYAN,” where they held open auditions to discover future stars and professionals in various fields—singers, idols, actors, and even fighters.

Watching this show deeply influenced my work ethic and dedication. The sights I witnessed on this program are undoubtedly the foundation of my approach to my career.

One of the most impactful memories was seeing Maki Goto, who was chosen as the “talent of the decade” to join the group Morning Musume as a new member. At just 13 years old, she was selected to debut as the center of this popular group, and her debut single, “LOVE Machine,” was a massive hit, becoming the group’s all-time best-selling single with over 1.76 million copies sold.

On the show, I often saw her enduring numerous training sessions to stand on the same level as the existing members, despite having no experience in singing or dancing. She received tough but loving guidance from teachers and senior members, which left a strong impression on me. Since I loved performing in front of others even as a child, I felt an overwhelming surge of energy within me. This moment sparked my desire to train hard and eventually perform on stage in front of a large audience.

The “world of professionals” that I witnessed, felt, and learned from this show has a direct link to the way I approach my work today. Of course, everyone has their own values and methods, but the discipline and sense of respect for the performing arts that I gained from ASAYAN are deeply rooted within me.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I moved to Tokyo at the age of 20 to pursue my career as a dancer. Since then, I have performed on a wide variety of stages, from dancing as a backup dancer for artists’ concerts to appearing in musicals and motor shows.

In 2018, I was selected as one of five male and five female dancers for Hiroomi Tosaka’s solo national tour, “FULL MOON,” of Sandaime J Soul Brothers. This national arena tour took place across 11 cities and included 26 performances, starting with the opening in August and ending with the final show in December.

I have also worked with artists like Kumi Koda and Shonan no Kaze, as well as idol groups such as AKB48, NMB48, HKT48, Nogizaka46, and other 48 Group concerts. I’ve even received choreography requests from SKE48.

For many years, I’ve been a part of anime song artist angela’s concerts and large summer events, providing both backup and choreography support.

In 2023, I performed as a dancer in the musical “FLAGLIA,” co-starring Yoshikuni Dohchin from CHEMISTRY. In 2019, I appeared as a dancer and choreographer in the concert of the popular series “THE IDOLM@STER 765.” Also in 2019, I was the main dancer at Toyota’s booth at the Tokyo Motor Show, where I expressed a futuristic world through dance.

Beyond stage performances, I worked as a motion actor for the character Chie Satonaka in the PlayStation Vita game “Persona 4: Dancing All Night,” also contributing choreography. For over ten years, I’ve been involved in choreographing and supporting concert performances for the original idol game and anime series “Uta no☆Prince-sama♪,” where I took on roles in choreography as well as overseeing cast and on-site management. Additionally, I’ve choreographed for Hatsune Miku collaboration events and have provided numerous choreographies for Hololive, a Vtuber agency gaining worldwide attention.

At the same time, I ventured to Los Angeles at the age of 23. The experience I gained in the U.S. significantly broadened my dance career, inspiring me to work as a professional dancer there. Since then, I have been balancing my dance work in Japan with training extensively in Los Angeles.

I have always loved dancing since childhood. I discovered the entertainment world at the age of nine, which sparked my desire to join it. Until I could attend a dance studio—something I couldn’t afford at the time—I kept dancing independently. At 15, I finally realized my dream of attending a dance studio, enrolling in “Get Ahead Hamamatsu” in my hometown, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

I cherished each day of dancing, and I even approached the studio’s director to join the professional course. Despite having only danced for less than a year, I was accepted, and I received extensive training aimed at becoming a professional dancer, focusing on work skills and mental preparation as well as dance.

Although I was new to dance, I was confident that I brought more dedication, tenacity, and professionalism than anyone else around me. Within the first year, I auditioned and was selected to perform in the showcase’s special performance, joining a group primarily consisting of instructors—an achievement that filled me with joy and fueled my passion even more!

Experience and years of practice are certainly significant. However, I realized that expressing and embodying my passion and dedication can transcend these factors, impacting others on a profound level.

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

From my many years of experience, I feel the most essential skill is communication. This also includes overcoming language barriers. 

I was born and raised in Japan, where I had the privilege of working on numerous remarkable projects in the Japanese entertainment industry. 
I performed on HIROOMI TOSAKA’s nationwide tour and worked as a dancer and choreographer for well-known artists such as Kumi Koda. Additionally, I took part in many projects within one of Japan’s defining cultural exports: idol culture. I performed as a dancer at concerts for AKB48, Nogizaka46, HKT48, and NMB48, and provided choreography and production support for SKE48’s 2022 nationwide tour also Spring concert accompanying them to all five major cities across 12 shows.

Following these experiences, I received offers to work as a dance coach for the international groups of the 48 Project, as well as offers to choreograph and coach performances for the prominent maid café “Maidreamin,” which represents Japanese subculture. Through these opportunities, I was involved in numerous stage performances and training sessions.

 At the time, I had limited experience teaching dance in English, and honestly, I felt a bit uncertain. 

 However, I was able to complete my assignments by fully utilizing my communication skills and passion. Clients and managers told me, “Your dance skills are amazing, of course, but your coaching style and ability to connect with team members is impressive. It’s clear that the members trust you deeply, and their performances have noticeably improved after just one rehearsal.” I was thrilled to hear that and was told, “There aren’t many people with such strong communication skills as you. So, have confidence in that, and make the most of it! You’re bright and positive, and you have the ability to create a welcoming atmosphere, sense what others are feeling, and bring out their potential.” These words filled me with joy and confidence, and I felt proud of myself.

 You may feel nervous at first, and there may be times when you lack confidence. But making an effort to reach out first and opening up yourself is so important. Your counterpart might be feeling the same way, too. Let’s expand our worlds by taking the first step. The world won’t start moving if you’re just waiting for it. You have to be the one to move your own world. Start by throwing the ball yourself, and take time to observe the other person. I believe work should be fun! We want to work together and create a pleasant environment for everyone. So, let’s be the ones to spread warm, positive energy to everyone. Let’s become the kind of person people want to see again, the kind of person they want to work with again!

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

That would be Rino Nakasone, a world-renowned dancer and choreographer who has worked with global artists like Janet Jackson, and who has also choreographed and directed performances for artists in the U.S., Japan, and Korea, including Britney Spears.

In my life, I encountered one of my biggest and toughest challenges—a barrier so thick and ingrained that I didn’t even know how to break it down. Rino’s guidance gave me the power to seriously confront and shatter it. She taught me how to find the strength to overcome obstacles and inspired me to see the new possibilities and brightness awaiting in my life.

Her words, her experience, and the boundless love she gave me pierced through the hardened shell I had built around myself, not only through dance but even beyond it.

To survive and secure dance work in the U.S., dance skills are obviously necessary. But the “strength in dance” here goes beyond technical skill. It’s about how deeply you engage in self-reflection, dialogue with yourself, and work to understand, accept, and cherish who you are daily. This process is what I realized to be essential to captivate the artists, team, and audiences around the world as an entertainer. It’s the core quality I must continuously refine as a performer, and I experienced firsthand how crucial this is.

This world is truly incredible. The more I live true to myself, the stronger my confidence becomes. This gives me a sense of liberation and joy, allowing me to grow deeper within myself and to share something meaningful with others.

Meeting her has become a source of strength and value that I’ll remember through every chapter of my life. Dancing is my life, and life itself is dance. I want to keep living as if I am dancing forever.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sayumi_ino/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@sayumioftheworld?si=J5kA8GfZas6vrxPf