Born in Tokyo, Japan, Yoshiko Kamikusa began her ballet training at the age of seven in Hawaii. It was not long before she moved to Canada, where she furthered her professional training under the main tutelage of Vera Solovyeva and Nikolai Levitsky at the Goh Ballet Academy. She has a history of winning several awards at various international ballet competitions, and these accomplishments have earned her significant recognition from prestigious figures of the ballet world.

Kamikusa joined Indianapolis Ballet from their debut season in 2018, after dancing as an artist with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet for five years. She has performed a diverse repertoire in her professional career thus far, dancing many Principal roles such as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake; Sugarplum Fairy, Snow Queen, and Coffee in The Nutcracker; Man I Love and Fascinating Rhythm in Who Cares?; Waltz Girl and Lead Russian Girl in Serenade; Principal Female in Allegro Brillante; Sonatine; Principal Couple in Rubies; and many more. 

Awards

Helsinki International Ballet Competition- Bronze (2016)

Japan Grand Prix International Ballet Competition – First Place (2013)

Varna International Ballet Competition – Finalist (2012)

RAD Solo Seal Award (2012)

Winner of the Developing Artists Grant – Classical Ballet, The Hnatyshyn Foundation (2012)

Tanzolymp in Berlin, Germany – Gold (2011)

Boston International Ballet Competition – Bronze (2011)

Sponsor: Earl and Vicki Goode