meet rieko hatato
What role has risk played in your life or career?
Rieko: I think everyone needs to take a risk sometimes to achieve their goals or to improve their lives. As a professional ballet dancer, I always take a risk of injuries because we use our bodies in unnatural ways. Even though we’ve been trained how to use our bodies to avoid injuries, we get hurt by accident while dancing or over dancing. But every time things happen, we learn how to improve ourselves not to get hurt again and we become stronger and better dancers.
About her career and path as a dancer
Rieko: I was born and grew up in Japan. I started ballet when I was 5 because I went to see Swan Lake performance with my family, I was fascinated by the dancers and I wanted to be like them. When I started to watch some ballet videos of the Royal Ballet, Bolshoi Theatre, and American Ballet Theater, I decided to be a professional ballet dancer abroad because their dances looked very dynamic and inspired me and I wanted to experience living and dancing outside of my country.
However, it was very hard to join the company. I auditioned around the world such as in Europe, Australia, and the U.S., and in my first audition season, I got nothing even though I had lots of medals from ballet competitions in Japan and also international competitions in the past. I contacted one of my friends and she told me a company where they are still looking for a dancer after the audition season. I sent them my resume then I got my first job in Florida. After a year I decided to audition again and I got a contract with Texas Ballet Theater. I am now a Soloist and this is my 7th season with them.
Becoming a professional ballet dancer is very difficult and sometimes takes time even if you’re good enough. Working as a professional dancer is very challenging too. Maintaining our bodies in shape and healthy, with no injuries is the most important and hardest thing for us.
Creating art with other dancers, choreographers, and artistic staff is amazing. We encourage each other and face towards the same goal which is sharing our beautiful art with the audience and inspiring them.
When I was a student I was only focusing on myself to be a better dancer but after joining a company I noticed that it is very important to take care of other dancers too. Most of the dancers and I tend to be hard on ourselves during rehearsals. Whenever I feel down, my coworkers always cheer me up and give me good energy and joy. Thanks to them I enjoy working as a dancer. And that made me realize I should be the person who can make others feel better.
I am proud of myself that I never gave up on my dream and doing what I love for a living. I want to tell people who are struggling to chase their dreams not to forget what they love about their dream and keep working on it and you will get there eventually.
