Kanata Ijima
BA Dance '23
My name is Kanata Ijima and I completed my Bachelor Dance programme at the Palucca University of Dance Dresden in 2023. This programme provided me with the opportunity to develop my passion for both classical ballet and contemporary/modern dance with significant guidance from numerous professors.
The door to Palucca opened for me in 2019 when I was 14 years old, thanks to the former rector and my mentor, Professor Jason Beechey, at the Youth America Grand Prix in Japan. He offered me a position at the Palucca University as an N4 guest (Young talent program) which led me to continue my studies in the Bachelor Dance programme.
During my time at the university, I had a variety of transformational experiences where I was able to gain different approaches and perspectives on movements and dive into the research of this art form in technical as well as an artistic way. These opportunities for growth also encouraged me to expand my boundaries and made me take risks, all within the atmosphere of support and acceptance from the encouraging professors.
Following the culmination of my artistic journey at Palucca University, I was presented with a job opportunity from Marcelo Gomes at the Semperoper Ballett as an apprentice where I was trusted to perform in several productions including a soloist role.
Having gone through this transitional period of becoming a professional dancer as an apprentice, which gave me a sense of how to present myself as an individual artist, I was offered a position as a Corps de Ballet member by Ballett Director Kinsun Chan, with opportunities to work on diverse productions at Semperoper Ballett, where I continue my artistic exploration today.
To summarize my experience, I believe that Palucca University has not only been an extraordinary educational institution for me but also an artistic community where I was able to build a strong foundation as an artist and enhance my creativity and artistry, inspired by the entire Palucca Family within an atmosphere full of support and encouragement.
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