Ikigai Spotlight Series: Yuumi Yamada, Senior Artist at The Australian Ballet
- Marii
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
A Life with Ballet and the Joy of Discovery
Ikigai is a concept that is very much integral to Japanese culture. The word 'Ikigai' can be roughly translated to your 'reason for being', or purpose and is not confined to the ‘Venn Diagram’. More on its authentic definition can be explored here.
While Ikigai is essential to one's well-being, the true beauty is that it does not have a fixed equation and can change over time.
At Mogami, we would like to highlight this nuance with our 'Ikigai Spotlight Series'.
This month’s featured guest is Yuumi Yamada, Senior Artist with The Australian Ballet, whose journey from Japan to the world stage embodies dedication, growth, and the ever-evolving joy of discovery through dance..
Could you start by telling us about your journey In ballet?
I’m Yuumi Yamada, currently a Senior Artist with The Australian Ballet. My journey with ballet started around age three or four when I was invited to a recital at a relative’s ballet studio. I remember watching children my age in tutus and sparkling costumes performing on stage — it looked like so much fun, and I thought, “I want to do that too.”
Afterwards, my mum took me to watch a class at the studio. It was just stretching and skipping, but I loved it. By the time I realised, I had already joined the other students in class. From there, I completely fell in love with ballet.
When I was ten years old, I first entered a ballet competition in Japan. I kept competing, inspired by other dancers, but I didn’t yet feel committed to becoming a professional ballet dancer. I just thought, “My friends are doing it, so I’ll try too.”
Everything changed when I competed in the YAGP (Youth America Grand Prix) Japan Finals. Haruko Kawanishi, who supports dancers studying abroad, told me, “I think The Australian Ballet School would suit you.” At that time, I didn’t even know there was a ballet company in Australia! A few months later, in 2011, I attended The Australian Ballet School’s International Training Program for two weeks. There, I met then-Director Ms. Rowles, who seemed to take a liking to me and watched a solo that I was preparing for an upcoming competition.
The following year, I met Ms. Rowles again at YAGP in Japan and was offered a full scholarship to The Australian Ballet School. I felt, “If I have the chance to do this now, I have to take it.” So at 15, I left my family in Japan and joined The Australian Ballet School in Melbourne.
What has been your personal journey with your Ikigai(s) or reason for being?
When I think about what gives my life a sense of Ikigai, it’s definitely ballet. There are a few reasons for this. One reason is my colleagues. We can push each other to improve, and getting to develop my craft alongside them is a huge joy. Of course, it’s not always easy — there are challenges and tough times — but having fellow dancers means we can share emotions and support each other, which keeps me grounded.
Another reason is working with coaches and choreographers. In rehearsals, I get to discover new movements and learn fresh perspectives and approaches. For choreographers, a work of dance is a reflection of their own feelings, so being part of it is truly exciting. I’ve even had the opportunity to receive coaching from Sylvie Guillem (world-renowned former ballet dancer). Each coach has a different style and offers advice based on their experiences, so the learning never ends.
Finally, the performances themselves are core to ballet. After a show, hearing audience members say “That was beautiful” or “I was moved” makes all the hard work worthwhile. That, too, gives me a deep sense of purpose.
How does your life today reflect your authentic self and life priorities?
In ballet, your body is your most important asset. I make sure to eat properly, warm up thoroughly in the morning before work, and take care of my body at night with self-massage and stretches. A lot of my life revolves around ballet, probably without me even being so conscious of it now.
Still, I do have ways to rest and recharge outside of ballet, and one of them is playing video games. Right now I’m really into Minecraft. When I play, I completely step away from ballet and enjoy my own time. Taking that break allows me to return to work with focus and energy.
Can you walk us through a time in your life when you felt lost? What ideas or tools helped you overcome this period?
There have been two major periods of struggle in my life so far.
The first was when my grandparents on my dad’s side passed away. I hadn’t had the chance to show them my performances, and I felt frustrated and sad that I couldn’t spend more time with them. Even though I returned to Japan during Christmas and New Year, it felt too short. At the time, I wondered if choosing ballet and moving to Australia was a mistake.
That was when my parents told me, “They’re watching from heaven.” That really hit me — I felt they were still supporting me in some way. My colleagues also helped me push through, and in hindsight, being busy at the time might have been a blessing, as it stopped me from sinking too deep into sadness.
The second was more recent, over the past two years, when I didn’t get the roles I hoped for. When I was assigned roles I wasn’t excited about, it was hard to stay motivated. Even though every role matters on stage, missing out on what I really wanted felt frustrating. After talking to a principal dancer, I was reminded that “there’s a right timing for everything in life.” That advice really resonated. I realised that even if it wasn’t my moment now, another opportunity could come later, and I could approach it with a more positive mindset.
Until then, ballet had always been central in my life, and I hadn’t considered much outside of it. Those two years gave me a chance to realise that “ballet is ballet, life is life,” as well as reflect on who I am beyond “Yuumi Yamada, ballet dancer.”
In May 2025, The Australian Ballet returned to Japan after 15 years with the production of Don Quixote, and you danced the leading role of Kitri. Was this a role you were looking forward to?
Yes, it really was, and it meant a lot. This role helped me shift out of a slightly negative mindset and gave me the chance to change my approach. While I’m still a Senior Artist, I was given the opportunity to dance this major principal role. It was a huge step forward, and it made me think about the type of mindset I would like to have and would need to have as a principal dancer. I continue to learn and grow from that experience.
How did your family react to seeing you perform the lead role in Don Quixote?
My parents aren’t the most expressive with words, but I think they were really happy. My grandparents on my mum’s side also came to watch. Since I moved to Australia at 15, I haven’t had the chance to perform in Japan, and my grandparents couldn’t visit me, so I had never shown them a live performance. I had only shared short rehearsal videos before, so it was really special to perform a live show with myself in the main role while they were in the audience. It was a chance to show them what I do in life.
What would be your advice to anyone struggling to live a life true to themselves (or of Ikigai)?
I don’t think you need to actively search for it. Instead, focus on things you love and pursue what excites you — over time, your Ikigai(s) might emerge naturally. I’d tell them, “Don’t rush.”
You also don’t need a label like, “This is my Ikigai.” It’s okay to have many, or even none. Life is short — what matters is living it the way you want. Paying attention to what’s in front of you and giving your all is often what brings a sense of meaning.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I’d say, “Go for it.” If you like something, go for it. If you don't like it, you can think about it a little, but if you love it, go for it. Don’t think too much, just do it.
When I first joined the company, I was cautious and reserved. I did only what was asked and didn’t fully express myself. Seeing younger dancers now pouring their hearts into every performance as if it were their own makes me wish I had done the same. If I had, maybe my career would have grown even more — though I’m very happy with what I’ve achieved. I think part of that was “Japanese thinking,” a cultural sense of humility. So I’d tell my younger self: “Don’t be afraid — just go for it.”
How do you balance external expectations with your inner sense of purpose and authenticity?
Recently, I’ve found a way to manage pressure. Even during the recent Don Quixote performance, I felt immense pressure — being suddenly cast as the lead with limited rehearsal time was intense.
In the past, I used to get distracted by what others thought, and that affected my focus. Now, I can focus on myself and block out distractions. Even under pressure, I can stay concentrated on what I need to do.
Something that a principal dancer told me and that really resonates is this: “Focus on one step or one thing at a time.” By concentrating on what I can do now, rather than looking too far ahead and worrying, I can repeat small steps that eventually lead to a bigger outcome.
Any final thoughts or reflections you’d like to share?
I feel incredibly lucky to do what I love as my job — ballet truly feels like my calling. I understand that living life this way is rare, and I’m deeply grateful for it.
What did this story bring up for you? Comment below.
Reflection by Emma Launder, Guest Contributor
Yuumi and I were in the same class at the Australian Ballet School between 2013 and 2014. While I stepped away from the ballet world, I’ve found immense joy in supporting friends from afar as they continue to pursue their dreams in dance — and I had been hoping to interview Yuumi for some time.
This year, I had the privilege of watching Yuumi perform as Kitri in Don Quixote at the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Metropolitan Festival Hall). It filled me with awe — perhaps a sense of pride as a friend, but above all, deep respect. The hours, days, and years of devotion it takes to perform at such a level are almost beyond comprehension.
Yuumi truly embodies the spirit of a dancer: always learning and evolving, discovering new joys through movement, and finding her fullest expression through the art of ballet. I think it’s fair to say that beyond the sparkling costumes and the magic of performance, Yuumi’s true brilliance lies within her — both on stage and off.
About Emma: Emma hails from the land of the rising sun and of the long white cloud (otherwise known as Japan and New Zealand). She’s often asked “Why?” and “What are we here for?”, and this has culminated in a deep desire to learn more about the big questions in life, especially surrounding purpose and ikigai. She is currently based in Tokyo and works at a counselling clinic.
Do you want to learn more?
You can find out more about Yuumi's journey here.
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