Kaori Higashiyama
Choreographer of Tanabata: The Story of Orihime & Hikoboshi

Kaori began dancing when she was three at the Kitamura Ballet Studio in Shiga, Japan. When she was 18 years old, she attended “Japan Grand Prix 2004” where she won the Bronze Prize and also received a scholarship prize to attend The Royal Ballet School in England. After she graduated from The Royal Ballet School, she danced for Colorado Ballet, Saint Louis Ballet and Sacramento Ballet where she is currently dancing her 11th season. Her favorite works she has danced include those by Gabrielle Lamb, Ma Cong, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Edwaard Liang, Rex Wheeler, and Julia Feldman.

Kaori first choreographed in 2015 for Sacramento Ballet’s “Beer & Ballet” and continues to choreograph for it. She is also a founding member of Capital Dance Project for which she premieres her work every summer while collaborating with local musicians and visual artists. Kaori gathers much of her choreographic and artistic inspiration from her home in Shiga, and believes that choreographing is a great way to introduce culture through her creations to the audience. Kaori also loves designing and constructing costumes and all the costumes worn in her choreography are created by her. Her costume works have also been celebrated by local dancers and emerging choreographers including David Fernandez, Julia Feldman, Ron Cunningham, Rex Wheeler and Amy Seiwert.