Ballet
The Nutcracker – A Christmas Carol
Clara Cratchit / Clara in dream
The National Theatre
Aya Okumura
First soloist of The Czech National BalletBiography
Aya Okumura, born in Tokyo, Japan, began her ballet training at the age of three. In 2006, she won first place at the NBA Ballet Competition, which awarded her a scholarship to the John Cranko School in Stuttgart, Germany. After completing her studies in 2009, she joined the Dutch National Ballet, where her talent and dedication were recognized with a promotion to Soloist in 2017. In 2019, she continued her career with Staatsballett Berlin as a Soloist, and in January 2023, she became a member of the Czech National Ballet. Shortly after joining, Aya was promoted to First Soloist.
Her diverse repertoire spans major classical and contemporary works. Among her notable roles are Odette/Odile in Swan Lake (John Cranko), Aurora in Sleeping Beauty (Marcia Haydée), and Tatiana in Onegin (John Cranko). She has also portrayed Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (John Cranko), Swanilda in Coppélia (Ronald Hynd), and Clara Clatchit in Nutcracker (Youri Vámos). Aya has brought her artistry to life in Jewels and Tarantella (George Balanchine), and has been featured in works by William Forsythe, including Second Detail and Pas/Parts 2018. Her repertoire also includes Voices and Requiem (David Dawson), Fly Paper Bird (Marco Goecke), and Piano Concerto #1 (Alexei Ratmansky). Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to collaborate with renowned choreographers such as Hans van Manen, Eyal Dadon, and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.
Aya has also appeared as a guest artist with the National Ballet of Canada, where she danced the role of Titania in The Dream (Frederick Ashton). Her talent has earned her nominations, including for the Thalia Awards in 2023. In 2024, she was recognized as one of the Dancers of the Year by Dance Europe magazine.
Current roles
Awards
2024
Dancer of the Year - Dance Europe
This accolade is awarded annually to outstanding dancers from various ballet companies around the world, highlighting their contributions to the art form. The selection process involves a shortlist curated by editors and dance critics, who consider performances from the previous season before allowing readers to vote for their favorite nominees. This recognition not only celebrates individual talent but also raises the profile of the dancers within the international ballet scene.
2006
The NBA Ballet Competition
The NBA Ballet Competition (National Ballet Academy Ballet Competition) is an annual event aimed at nurturing young ballet dancers. It provides a platform for dancers to showcase their skills and compete for scholarships to prestigious ballet schools. The competition is known for its high standards and aims to promote excellence in ballet training.