BIOGRAPHY
池谷ゆかり Yukari Ikegaya
Associate Producer (国際舞台芸術アソシエイトプロデューサー) / Dancer / Choreographer / Instructor
1984年5月28日、池谷ゆかり誕生。富士山とお茶に囲まれた静岡県静岡市で生まれ育つ。11歳より静岡にてミュージカルの要素である、歌・ダンス・芝居を習う。数々のイベント・舞台・コンサート・CM・TV等で活躍し、17歳からJubilo磐田のオープニング、ハーフタイムショウやNHK紅白歌合戦のダンサーとしても活躍。2003年、18歳高校卒業と同時に単独でNYへ渡米。Derek MitchellやCharles Goddertzなどの有名講師のアシスタントを務めるなどし、彼らに師事。ジャンルにとらわれない、幅広いスタイルを学ぶ。2005年、Underground Dance ProjectのD.M.S.R.(Music by PRINCE)でニューヨーク舞台デビュー。2006年（21歳）より米国認定アーティストとなり、現在では唯一のアジア人ダンサーでもあるArtistic Director Courtney Ffrench,"Vissi Dance Theater"のカンパニープリンシパル（主要）メンバー、ニューヨークを拠点にOff-Broadwayの舞台やイベントなどでの活躍。米国内ツアー、そして近年ではヨーロッパ、ジャマイカ公演など世界にて活躍範囲を広げている。パフォーマーのみならず海外ツアーや、主に日本ツアー来日公演の企画・制作も手掛け、日米間の架け橋となりプロデューサーとしても活動する。またNEW ERAのプロモーションビデオやCITI BANKの広告モデルなど多方面でも活躍し、インストラクターではニューヨーク・マンハッタンにある有名スタジオSteps on Broadway、Broadway Dance Center などで講師を務めている。NHK BS 「COOL JAPAN」、静岡放送開局65周年記念番組「ニッポンの未来を拓く？！スゴイ人たち大集合！静岡を超えたしずおか人」にてNYの活動の様子を密着取材、紹介される。
Born and trained in Shizuoka Japan at the foot of the iconic Mt. Fuji. Yukari built a formidable professional foundation before making her mark in New York. Her early career was distinguished by performances at major theme parks, musical theater productions, and television commercials. She also gained significant visibility performing in halftime shows for the J.League and appearing on NHK’s Kohaku Uta Gassen, Japan’s most prestigious annual New Year’s Eve television special.
Upon establishing her base in New York City to advance her career in theater and dance, Yukari has established herself as a versatile performer and choreographer. Her credits include notable Off-Broadway productions as well as various prestigious dance performances and international festivals. Currently, she is a member of the Vissi Dance Theater under Artistic Director Courtney Ffrench, based at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center. Her international reach is extensive; she has toured the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean, while also serving as Associate Producer for the company's global tours.
Beyond the stage, Yukari directed and performed for the Sakura Collection New York fashion shows in 2022 and 2024. Her commercial portfolio includes appearances as a model and dancer for global brands such as New Era and Citibank. Extensively featured in international media, she has been featured on NHK’s Cool Japan, Television Jamaica’s Daytime Live, and CVM Sunrise. Notably, her professional journey in New York City was captured in a dedicated documentary series produced by her hometown broadcasting network, which offered an in-depth look at her life as an artist in the United States.
Dedicated to sharing her artistry, Yukari now serves as a faculty member and choreographer at world-renowned studios in New York City, including Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center. Her influence extends internationally through high-demand workshops in Japan, where she bridges the New York and Japanese dance communities by sharing her global expertise with aspiring artists. Committed to mentoring the next generation, she views teaching, choreography, and production as essential extensions of her artistic expression and lifelong passion.