Dancer, Choreographer Rina Kato

Encounter with Dance and Choreography

Born in 2000, Tokyo, Japan. Studied children’s dance and modern dance under Miho Hirai and Masako Kunoki. During junior high school, created a solo dance piece for the first time and discovered the joy of choreography. Upon entering university, encountered contemporary dance and began to study dance creation in earnest. Graduated from Nihon University College of Art, Department of Theatre, Western Dance Course. After graduation, continued studies at the Graduate School of Art, Nihon University, majoring in Performing Arts, while also starting to present original dance works to the public.

Research and Activities at Graduate School

At graduate school, focused on the theme of “open dance works”, exploring how communication between dancers and audiences can be deepened through dance, and what creative approaches can make contemporary dance more accessible and familiar. While continuing to study and create performing arts, engaged in projects beyond the stage—such as a participatory outdoor dance performance for children at the Kanamachi Festa 2022 organized by Kanamachi Minamiguchi Shopping Street in Katsushika, and participation in the Outreach Project: Practice Outside the Theater and Community Engagement organized by the Japan Contemporary Dance Association. These experiences led to experimenting with works that break down the so-called “fourth wall,” allowing even passersby to experience dance.

In the master’s thesis project, returned to the setting of the theater to re-examine “how to transcend the proscenium arch,” presenting a stage work accompanied by an after-discussion. Through this, developed a deeper consideration of how communication can exist through dance.

Current Activities

Currently active as a project member and dancer in Tarinof dance company, directed by Maiko Hasegawa and Mamoru Sakata. Performed in the company’s 2024 production “Death and the Maiden”, and is also participating in an international exchange project with Italy’s International Ballet Company MESSAPICA in 2025, performing in Italy. Additionally appears in music videos and film projects.

As a choreographer, creates works with the concept of leaving space for the audience’s imagination to expand—encouraging a creative act within the viewer themselves. Recently invited to the SAI Dance Festival 2024 Competition “Japan & Korea Project” in South Korea, collaborating with Korean choreographer and dancer Jung Jae-woo to produce a joint work presented in Japan after residency creation in both countries.

Continuing from graduate school, also participates in choreography for community events, such as parades and the Hayama Town 100th Anniversary Project. Actively explores ways to “open dance to society” and contribute through community and social engagement in dance.