We were lucky to catch up with Shiori Murayama recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shiori, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Performing at the Super Bowl Halftime Show with Usher is one of the most defining projects of my career. I’ve always been inspired by Usher’s music since I was six, and during my early days of dance training, his songs were a constant source of motivation.

The opportunity came in a very unexpected way. Just before an audition, I attended a weekend dance intensive led by renowned choreographers Rio Henderson and Ysabelle Capitulé. While a few dancers had already been invited through their agencies, I was simply there for the class. It was during that class that Rio noticed me and invited me to audition, opening a door I hadn’t even realized was there.

After moving to LA only seven months earlier, I found myself onstage at the biggest show in the U.S. during just my second gig here. On the first day of rehearsal, I walked into a studio filled with legendary dancers—people I had admired from afar for years. Being in the same space as them, watching their dedication and talent, was both humbling and inspiring.

Moreover, knowing that my family back in Japan and my brother in NYC were watching the performance live meant the world to me. Their steady support has been a driving force throughout my journey. This experience wasn’t just about performing on a big stage—it reminded me that every class, every audition, and every rehearsal is a step forward, built on hard work and the unexpected opportunities that arise when you’re in the right place at the right time.

Shiori, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a Yokohama-native, LA-based dancer who bridges the vibrant dance scenes of Japan and America. My professional journey spans both countries, having worked with major artists in Japan including BoA, GENERATIONS, and TVXQ, before making LA my home base in 2023.

Since moving to LA, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime Show with Usher, work with artists like Camila Cabello, LISA, and Chloe Bailey, and am currently on tour with Chinese artist JJ Lin. My earlier US credits include the Puma x Balmain live event, Pepsi’s Super Bowl Commercial with Missy Elliott and H.E.R, and J Balvin’s “ROSA” music video.

I started performing on big stages in Japan from a young age, which gave me a strong foundation in the industry. Growing up, I was always drawn to American dance culture, constantly taking workshops from US choreographers whenever they visited Tokyo. After high school, this passion led me to move to LA to train and assist well-known choreographers.

I’m most proud of staying true to my journey while inspiring others, particularly young dancers from Japan who dream of performing internationally. My story shows that with dedication, family support, and the courage to step outside my comfort zone, I can create my own path in the dance world.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My ultimate goal is to perform on world tours, especially in front of my family and friends in Japan. This isn’t just about performing on big stages—it’s about making my family proud and showing gratitude to the people who have supported my journey unconditionally.

My family has never said no to my dance aspirations. They’ve encouraged me to take on new challenges and supported every step of my path. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their unwavering belief in me. Being able to perform in front of them, to make them proud through my dance—that’s what drives me forward. I want to show them that their faith in me was worth it.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of my most significant pivots came in October, just before my 25th birthday, while I was touring with artists in Japan. I had built a comfortable career there – the work was steady, communication was easy, and I had established myself in the industry. But despite the success, I felt something was missing. I had always dreamed of making my mark in the American dance scene.

My mother could sense my inner conflict and kept gently pushing me to pursue that dream. Deep down, I knew I needed to make this change, but I hadn’t found the courage to step out of my comfort zone. It’s one thing to visit LA for workshops and training, but completely different to commit to building a career there from scratch.

This pivot wasn’t just about changing locations—it was about having the courage to restart in an industry where I’d have to prove myself all over again. Sometimes the hardest part isn’t knowing what you want, but being willing to risk what you have to chase something greater.

Contact Info:

• Website:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seeee26

Image Credits

Las Vegas-Review Journal, Kevin Mazur, John Nacion, LISA Instagram, Paras Griffin