Japanese ballet dancer Rina Nemoto has realised a dream to become a soloist with the Australian Ballet

Tokyo’s Rina Nemoto has followed a path seldom travelled to become a soloist with the Australian Ballet.

Melbourne based ballerina Rina Nemato is a finalist in the 2022 Telstra Ballet Dancer Awards. Picture: Eugene Hyland

Who Ballerina Rina Nemoto. Where: Inner-city apartment in Melbourne. Favourite thing Ballet is my language – I use this language to express myself. I feel like I can’t live without dance now, it is a part of who I am. Inspiration: My house is very simple. Small but practical. Home is: I love and miss my family in Japan, I haven’t been able to visit them for two years with the lockdown we’ve had. The Australian Ballet company has become like a second family.

Rina Nemoto has been dancing since she was three.

Tokyo-born Rina Nemoto has been dancing since she was just a tot and like most young girls delighting in twirling in a tutu, her parents thought it was a passing obsession.

“Nobody in my family came from ballet. My family did not expect that I would be a ballet dancer,” she says.

Immensely talented and determined, Rina was just 15 when she travelled to Paris for two years of classical ballet training, before being awarded a Prix de Lausanne scholarship to join The Royal Ballet in London as an apprentice dancer. Ensuing that, she had the opportunity to join almost any top ballet company in the world.

“I did a lot of auditions but when I saw Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake, I loved it. I was almost crying. So, I really wanted to join this company. I took classes with the Australian Ballet when they came to Japan,” she says. “Last year, the Australian Ballet did a worldwide digital performance and I had lots of messages from Japan and my friends overseas.

“They loved watching the performances. I want to build on this and share ballet with more Japanese people in Australia.”

Rina is enjoying getting to know new homeland though photography

Rina has been elevated to soloist with the Australian Ballet and has been named as one of five dancers to be selected as nominees for the prestigious 2022 Telstra Ballet Dancer Awards. The awards will be announced at Sydney Opera House on Tuesday, April 5.

Words: Catherine Nikas-Boulos  Pictures: Eugene Hyland

Escher X Nendo: Between Two Worlds

An inspiring read …

I loved that exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria and I get so much inspiration from that book. When I have spare time I like spending time in museums.

Woodwork and pottery

Not just a talented dancer, Rina also made these.

I made these. The cup and spoon are made of wood and the plates are pottery. I am always thinking of ballet so I make things to be able to concentrate on something for a short time.

Family photos

Keeping her family close

These photos are very special to me and when I look at them I feel like my family is with me. They have always believed in me and I hope I can get back to Tokyo this year.

10-year diary

Savouring the memories

I wasn’t a diary person but my mum gave me this for my 30th birthday. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to continue to write in it for 10 years but now I am excited about looking back on my life in 10 years’ time.

Jewellery

Some sentimental favourites

Some of that jewellery was from my family and when I wear them I can feel their love and that they’re close to me. The gold necklace was from The Australian Ballet for ten years of service.

Body stress relief

Rina qualified as a yoga teacher during lockdown

I use yoga and body oil to take care of my body after rehearsal or a performance. I did a yoga teacher’s course in lockdown and I practise yoga every morning now. My body feels lighter.

Prix de lausanne medal

Rina’s beloved Prix de Lausanne medal

I won that medal at 17, which gave me the opportunity to join The Royal Ballet as an apprentice dancer. The scholarship opened up my world to professional dance.

Camera

Rina is looking to take her camera to many more cities across Australia

I bring this camera everywhere and I like photographing buildings or nature. There’s so much beauty in Australia and this year I want to start exploring other cities, like Tasmania.

Originally published as Japanese ballet dancer Rina Nemoto has realised a dream to become a soloist with the Australian Ballet