We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sayumi Ino a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
SAYUMI, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
I feel incredibly happy to have lived as an artist for so many years. I am overflowing with artistry, and I believe that if I were working a regular job, I would not be able to fully utilize my natural talents. I truly feel that I was born to live as an artist—it’s my destiny.
In 2018, I was chosen as a tour dancer for OMI (Hiroomi Tosaka), the lead vocalist of the globally renowned artist group “Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS” under LDH JAPAN, for his first-ever nationwide tour. The tour covered 11 cities and 23 performances across Japan. It is no small feat for a solo artist to carry out a nationwide arena tour of this scale. Moreover, OMI brought along a team of 10 dancers—5 men and 5 women—on this tour. Every performance was sold out, which clearly demonstrated just how popular an artist he is.
Every time I stepped onto the stage during this tour, I was moved by the size of the venues, the number of people gathered, the excitement of the live shows, and the grand scale of it all. I felt immense gratitude and pride in being chosen as part of such an incredible production.
Becoming a tour dancer for such a large-scale event is no easy task, especially when there are countless professional dancers out there. Out of these, only 10 dancers—just 5 of them women—were selected. To be chosen as one of these dancers made me feel deeply honored and incredibly happy.
Every time I stood on stage, I was filled with a thrilling sense of excitement. I poured all my experiences and energy into expressing myself through dance, dedicating my entire being to making his stage shine. I could feel my inner energy overflowing with each performance.
I had performed on many stages before this tour, but it was here that I realized my true energy, potential, skills, and passion were best expressed on such a magnificent stage with an artist of this caliber. That is why I firmly believe I must continue to live as an artist, not only in Japan but also abroad, to fully unleash my energy and potential.
I was born to live as an artist.
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.
Hello, nice to meet you! I’m Sayumi Ino, a professional dancer from Japan. While I’m Japanese, I’ve had the privilege of performing not only in Japan but also internationally as a dancer.
The moment that inspired me to enter this industry was watching a public audition program called **”ASAYAN”** during my elementary school years. It was there that I first dreamed of standing on stage as an artist.
Today, I work as a professional dancer and an individual artist. While I began with aspirations of joining an idol group, I have developed a diverse range of dance skills and expressions, which I believe are my strengths and set me apart from others.
Over the years, I’ve had the honor of performing as a tour dancer for various artists, including major idol concerts. One of my most notable achievements is being cast as the motion capture dancer and actor for **Chie Satonaka**, a main character in the globally popular video game series “Persona 4: Dancing All Night.” My movements brought the character to life, capturing her personality through dance and acting. I’ve also worked on other high-profile projects such as motion capture for **Hatsune Miku** and the main character of the anime series **”Ya Boy Kongming!”**, which was broadcast worldwide on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.
What sets me apart from others is my ability to adapt my dance to a wide range of styles and demands. In idol concerts, for example, performances often require not only powerful, cool choreography but also Japan’s unique “kawaii” style. I’ve delivered professional-level performances tailored to each type of song, enhancing the audience’s experience.
Additionally, my work in the gaming and anime industries involves more than just dance skills. Since these projects are tied to specific characters with established backstories and personalities, it requires a deep understanding of the character and the ability to express their essence through movement. Small details, like the tilt of the head or the placement of the hands, can make a significant difference. I collaborated closely with producers, thoroughly studying and embodying the character to bring them to life.
This is not a role that just anyone can take on—it demands exceptional expression, skill, and a true connection with the character. It also requires a deep appreciation for Japanese culture, particularly its gaming and anime worlds. I take immense pride in being entrusted with such roles because they represent not just my skill as a dancer but also my love and respect for Japan’s cultural legacy.
As a professional artist, I believe that my ability to combine artistry with a deep connection to Japanese culture gives me a unique strength. I’m passionate about continuing to create and express myself as a dancer while sharing the beauty of Japan’s art and culture with the world.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One of the most defining examples of my resilience as a dancer and artist came in 2023, when I successfully auditioned for FLAGLIA THE MUSICAL, a commercial production featuring renowned performers such as Japanese artist Yoshikuni Dohchin from CHEMISTRY and Yunhak from the Korean vocal unit SUPERNOVA. This opportunity was highly competitive, with over 200 applicants vying for a position. I was honored to be chosen as one of only six female dancers, a testament to both my skills and my determination to stand out in such a rigorous selection process.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought immense difficulties for performers worldwide, as live stages and opportunities to work as a professional dancer were drastically reduced. Like many artists, I faced uncertainty about when I would be able to perform again. Despite these challenges, I continued to train, refine my abilities, and stay focused on my goal of returning to the stage.
When I was cast in FLAGLIA THE MUSICAL, the role presented new challenges that required both mental and physical resilience. The production demanded versatility, as I had to perform various roles throughout the lengthy show. Additionally, the stage design included a 15-degree inclined, opening-and-closing platform, which required exceptional physical strength and precise balance to execute intricate choreography. To meet these demands, I committed to intense training to rebuild my stamina, enhance my core strength, and adapt to the unique physical requirements of the performance.
This experience was transformative for me. Beyond the physical achievements, it reignited my passion for dance and reminded me of the profound joy of performing. Standing on stage, delivering my best alongside celebrated artists, and feeling the connection with the audience was a moment of triumph—not only as a dancer but also as a person who overcame obstacles to reach new heights.
Ultimately, FLAGLIA THE MUSICAL was not just a professional milestone; it was a turning point in my journey as an artist, allowing me to rediscover my purpose and resilience. This experience reflects my dedication to my craft and my ability to face challenges head-on, qualities that I believe will allow me to contribute meaningfully to the arts community in the United States.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding moment as a dancer and artist is “the moment I am chosen.” Of course, standing on stage, seeing the results of my hard work being brought to life, and sharing my art with the world are all deeply fulfilling experiences. However, none of those moments would be possible without first being chosen. As an artist, I believe in the importance of being unique, and for dancers in particular, the path often requires winning auditions and being selected to even have the opportunity to perform. That moment of being chosen is what I find most rewarding.
Throughout my career, I have had the honor of being selected for many exceptional opportunities. Some highlights include:
• Being cast as Chie Satonaka in the PlayStation Vita stage adaptation of “Persona 4D: Dancing All Night”
• Being chosen as one of the dancers for Hiroomi Tosaka’s nationwide tour in 2018
• Performing in the 2023 commercial musical production “FLAGLIA THE MUSICAL”
• Serving as a dancer and choreographer for the globally renowned anime song artist angela, performing in her concerts and tours over five years
• Performing as a dancer for the world-famous car manufacturer TOYOTA at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show
These accomplishments were built upon years of tireless effort and training. For example, I studied under Mika Usui, an alumna of the Académie de Danse Princesse Grace in Monaco, as a scholarship student for five years. At the time, I had very little ballet experience, but I dedicated myself to attending morning ballet classes five days a week, which demanded extraordinary focus and determination.
Additionally, starting in 2017, I regularly trained in Los Angeles with Dana Foglia, a graduate of Alvin Ailey Dance Theater in New York and a renowned dancer and choreographer for Beyoncé. I participated in Dana Foglia Dance’s intensive programs and had the privilege of performing in several of her works. These experiences significantly enhanced my skills and artistic expression, providing me with unique opportunities to grow and excel as a performer.
Through all these experiences, I have come to deeply understand the significance of “being chosen.” It is not merely an achievement but a recognition of my years of hard work, dedication, and passion. Being chosen instills confidence and reminds me to stay grateful for every opportunity. It is this moment—the moment of being selected—that I find the most rewarding as an artist.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sayumi_ino/
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/tPNsx8qrLHI?si=eJBMFYV66w00KHSj
Image Credits
SAYUMI INO