“Training with Marat Daukayev in Los Angeles gave me the foundation of my classical ballet knowledge and prepared me to step confidently into the ballet world.”
2001-
Anna’s Childhood
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Anna is half Japanese and half Taiwanese. Her passion for dance began at age 3 after watching a performance – a dream her mother had always held. Anna began her training at the prestigious Marat Daukayev School of Ballet, where she discovered the beauty and artistry of ballet. While she also trained as a competitive artistic gymnast from ages 4 to 13, an injury prompted her to dedicate herself fully to ballet. The intensive training with Marat Daukayev further deepened Anna’s love for the art form, leading her to pursue it professionally.
“Dancing in many competitions since I was young has helped me build confidence and the mental strength to continue my career as a dancer.”
2016-
Dance Life in Europe
Anna had always aspired to pursue her dance career in Europe, and at age 15 she was accepted into the Berlin State Ballet School. During her time there, she had a defining experience working on Wayne McGregor’s FAR and Marco Goecke’s All Long Dem Day. These collaborations became a breakthrough in her contemporary work, teaching her new ways to ‘express and explore the body through dance.’ As a student, Anna earned top prizes at international competitions, including the IBstage Grand Prix (1st, 2019), the Riga International Ballet Competition (3rd, 2018), and a Top 12 placement at the NYC Youth America Grand Prix in 2015.
“My time at Junior Ballet Antwerp really shaped me into the dancer I am today.”
2019-
Career Beginnings
Upon graduation, Anna joined Junior Ballet Antwerp – a professional platform which helps young talented dancers bridge the gap between school and a professional career. Anna found this experience invaluable, stating it gave her all the essential tools and tips she needed to navigate her career. The opportunity to work with many different choreographers – and particularly her direct collaboration with David Dawson on his piece Metamorphosis – taught her the art of working together and helped shape her into the artist she is today.
2021-
National Ballet of Brno
Anna’s professional journey took a significant turn in 2021 when she was invited to join the National Ballet of Brno. Since then, she has taken on major classical roles, debuting as Nikiya in La Bayadère and Kitri in Don Quixote. Alongside her classical repertoire, Anna has performed in works by renowned choreographers such as Jiří Kylián, Nacho Duato and Johan Inger. Her dedication was quickly recognised, earning her a promotion to soloist by her third season. Beyond the Brno stage, Anna has performed at international ballet galas, and in 2025, she was honoured with the International Capri Award.
“Dance, like all art forms, is constantly evolving – and I believe it’s so important for young dancers to experience and embrace the many ways it continues to grow and transform”
2025-
Ballet Spotlight
Anna’s commitment to dance extends beyond the stage. To give back to her Japanese roots and balance the growing emphasis on technique and the ‘sport’ aspect of dance, she founded Ballet Spotlight – a summer workshop series in Japan. Her goal is to offer young dancers a supportive space to explore the artistic side of ballet while learning from professionals working around the world. Looking ahead, Anna hopes to grow Ballet Spotlight into not just a workshop, but a community where dancers feel inspired, challenged and reminded why they love to dance.
