[Breaking News! Open Lesson on Stage]

KIDC2024 will hold an open lesson (lesson observation) by ballet company Japan Ballet Theater (JBT) on stage after the competition (before the awards ceremony) on March 28! The lesson will be given to Kate Kakuma and Shih-Huai Liang, who are preparing for a performance in Okinawa on March 31. The pair will be instructed on stage by JBT’s artistic director, Michael Shannon. This is a rare opportunity to witness a professional lesson. Don’t miss it! (Competition observation ticket 1,500 yen is required.)

[Kate Kakuma]
Studied under Yuriko Miyaki and Katsuhiro Kodama in Kagoshima, Japan.
She won the first prize in the junior division of the National Ballet Competition in Nagoya. She won first prize in the junior division of the National Ballet Competition in Nagoya, and has since won prizes in numerous other national ballet competitions.

Joined Chikako Tanaka Ballet Company in Fukuoka, dancer and instructor.
Achievements after joining the company
Performed as a representative of Kyushu North Branch at the National Ballet Evening, and served as soloist and mistress.

• Won the 6th prize at Kobe National Western Dance Competition (senior division)
• Kyushu North Branch 1st Prize in All Japan Ballet Competition (Senior Section)
• 4th prize in Kitakyushu & Asia National Western Dance Competition (senior division)

Since leaving the company, she has not only performed on many stages as a dancer, but has also expanded her activities as a teacher in order to spread her artistry to many people,
She is also active in TV commercials, modeling, and influencer as a contracted artist of YAIZOO Inc.

TikTok follower 25,000 TikTok: @kate18313

[Shih-Huai Liang]
Born in Taipei, Taiwan. He began his ballet training at Taipei National University of the Arts and Le Studio 62, and studied at the Kirov Ballet Academy under Anatoli Kuciuruk in 2004. 2007 he participated in the New York International Ballet Competition and signed a contract with the Universal Ballet Company. With the same ballet company, he was promoted to demi-soloist in 2014 and soloist in 2015.
In 2016, she moved to the Royal New Zealand Ballet as a soloist, performing as a lead dancer in works by Roland Petit, Liam Scarlett, and Alexander Ekman.
In 2018, he moved again to Universal Ballet, where he danced numerous works; since 2023, he has signed a contract with the company as a guest artist, making guest appearances in performances around the world.

In 2017, he launched his own project, “Master Class Projekt,” inviting celebrities from around the world to train the next generation.

Instagram: @shsliang