Artist • Kaori Nakamura

Kaori Nakamura is from Gumma, Japan, where she trained with the Reiko Yamamoto Ballet Company, and later in the US, the School of American Ballet. She won first prize at the 14th Prix de Lausanne competition in Lausanne, Switzerland, and later, a bronze medal at the International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria. With two international awards in her pocket, Kaori performed with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet as a principal dancer, and eventually joined the Pacific Northwest Ballet in 1997.

Kaori has over 40 lead roles to her name, and she’s also performed for BBC and made guest appearances around the world.

With so many career highs, Kaori considers going home to Japan and performing for friends and family one of the best experiences she’s ever had, “Dancing has always been my dream and creative outlet. It’s my passion and my love.”

As part of the team of ballet dancers that inspired the MPG line, Kaori was proud to be photographed as a model, “Knowing the background of the company, I love that MPG is created by people who are passionate about creating high quality clothes and giving back to their community at the same time.”.

Kaori Nakamura, Pacific Northwest Ballet | Photo: Marc Von Borstel