RIEKO HATATO

Hatato is a soloist with Texas Ballet Theater and an original cast member of Pointeworks. She made her choreographic debut in 2024, creating her first work for Texas Ballet Theater’s Choreographic Showcase. For Pointeworks Season 2, her new work, Amour de Jeunesse, set to Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 2 in G major Op. 18 No. 2:2. Adagio Cantabile, debuted at the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater for Pointeworks’ NYC Tour. The ballet explores the evolution of a young couple’s relationship, beginning with innocence and playfulness, then progressing into a more mature, romantic connection.

Hatato grew up in Japan, where she began her dance training at the age of five after being inspired by a Swan Lake performance. She went on to compete in national and international ballet competitions, earning numerous accolades. It was through these experiences that her love for choreography developed.

“I choreographed for myself a lot in the past, like in a competition or in school,” Hatato shared in an interview with Pointeworks.

In ballet competitions, dancers perform both classical and contemporary variations. While classical variations are set in stone, contemporary ones offer more freedom, which is where Hatato first ventured into choreography, creating her own pieces.

Today, Hatato’s choreographic approach focuses on highlighting her dancers' strengths, ensuring that her work complements and enhances the dancers' individual abilities. “It’s fun to choreograph on someone,” she says. “I can imagine the dancers dancing and then I get to see it come together.”

Follow her on Instagram: @7rieko_hatato7.