We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ryoka Matsumoto. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ryoka below.

Alright, Ryoka thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I’m happiest when I’m on stage, performing. There’s something about that moment—the lights, the energy, the audience watching—that makes me feel truly alive. When someone tells me after a show, “I’m so glad I came” or “I really enjoyed it,” it’s the best feeling. It makes everything worth it.

But there are definitely times when I think about what it would be like to have a regular job, especially when I see my friends back in Japan getting together and sharing their daily lives. It makes me miss them and wonder if I would feel less lonely if I were there, working a steady job and enjoying the simple routine of everyday life. I imagine catching up with them after work, laughing over dinner, and just having that sense of belonging.

The last time I had that thought was not too long ago. I saw a photo of my friends in Japan all together, smiling and eating, and I felt a pang of homesickness. For a moment, it seemed easier to imagine that life—a job with more stability, a familiar rhythm, and the comfort of being surrounded by people I’ve known forever.

But then I remember why I chose this path. I came overseas because I wanted to do what I love and challenge myself. Performing and creating make me happiest. Even on the hard days, I feel so lucky to be doing what I love. And my friends back home always support me, even though I’m far away. That support means everything to me and reminds me that I’m doing this for a reason. So no matter how tempting it is to imagine that other life, I know that being an artist is what makes me feel most alive.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Ryoka Matsumoto, and my journey as an artist began when I was a child and fell in love with the musical Annie. Seeing the Japanese production of the show was a turning point—it showed me the joy of creating an entire world on stage. I started taking singing, dance, and acting lessons at the age of eight, and when I was nine, I had the chance to perform in Annie as Tessie. That experience taught me the excitement of live performance and the power of self-expression.

During middle and high school, I also explored music, and in college, my passion for theater reignited. I performed in the stage production NIPPON CHA! CHA! CHA! and met a director who introduced me to international artists. This encounter inspired my dream of studying performing arts abroad, which eventually led me to move to New York and train at HB Studio, where I completed the Hagen Core Training program.

Since then, I’ve immersed myself in a variety of creative projects in New York, from musicals and plays to short films, improvisation, and music shows. I’ve also founded a performance collective, Edamovement Lab, which reimagines Japanese culture through physical storytelling. Our first project, The Seven Gods, was inspired by Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods and performed to full houses in New York, blending dance, music, and traditional Japanese fabrics like tenugui to create a new sensory experience.

Looking ahead, I’m passionate about creating work that transcends language and cultural barriers—pieces that speak to audiences on a visceral level. My goal is to continue blending dance, theater, and music into works that invite people from different backgrounds to share in a collective, sensory journey. I’m also committed to bringing what I’ve learned in New York back to Japan, finding opportunities to foster deeper cultural connections and expanding my range as an artist.

What I’m most proud of is the chance to share these experiences with audiences from diverse backgrounds, and what I’d love for people to know about me is that my work is about creating bridges—connecting cultures and communities through the universal language of the body and the stage.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

With Edamovement Lab, my goal is to create work that brings together the rich traditions of Japanese culture and the power of physical storytelling in ways that feel fresh and engaging. We want to make performances that not only entertain but also open a door for cultural exchange—where audiences can feel the energy of something that might be unfamiliar but speaks to them on a universal, human level. For us, it’s about creating a bridge between Japan and New York, between the stories we’ve inherited and the world we’re living in now.

One of the things I love about Edamovement Lab is how collaborative it is. We’re always asking ourselves: How can we honor the roots of what we’re exploring, while also taking it somewhere new? How can we use movement and sound to tell stories that transcend words? I feel like those questions keep us curious and constantly growing.

On a personal level, my mission is to keep expanding my creative range and to never stop learning. I want to continue growing as a performer, director, and creator—always pushing the boundaries of what I can do, and how I can connect with others through my work. At the same time, I’m committed to staying grounded in my Japanese identity, and using that as a foundation for building bridges with people from all over the world.

I’m also passionate about creating spaces where others feel encouraged to bring their own stories and ideas to the table. To me, the most powerful art happens when different perspectives come together and spark something new—something that no one person could create alone.

Ultimately, whether it’s through Edamovement Lab or in my own personal projects, my mission is to make work that invites people in, that resonates on a gut level, and that reminds us of how much we share as human beings—no matter where we come from.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is the ability to create shared moments—those fleeting but powerful experiences where you can feel a real connection with an audience or a collaborator. Whether it’s through movement, music, or storytelling, I love those moments when something I’ve created resonates with someone on a deeper level.

It’s also incredibly fulfilling to know that I’m constantly growing and discovering new things about myself and the world around me. Being an artist means embracing the unknown, taking risks, and learning from every project—no matter how big or small. That sense of constant curiosity and the chance to explore new perspectives is something I treasure.

Ultimately, what matters most to me is using my work to make people feel something real and to remind them that even if we come from different places, there’s always something that can bring us together.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: ＠ponryoka
• Other: Edamovement Lab @edamovement

Image Credits

“IDENTITY” by Charly Wenzel, Photographs by Max Martínez
“US” by Charly Wenzel, Photographs by Vanessa Gonzalez-Bunster