Natsuki Sugimoto

Natsuki began ballet in July 2017 at the Sakura Ballet School while living in India. Upon returning to Japan, she continued her training at Yoshimi Obara Ballet Studio from August 2018 onwards.

Natsuki has received numerous awards for her performances in major ballet competitions. She won 1st place in the Junior Women’s Division at the National Ballet Competition in Nagoya (2022) and secured 1st place at the Japan Mie Ballet Competition (2023). She also achieved 3rd place in the Pre-Competitive TOP12 at the Youth America Grand Prix (YGP) in Japan (2023) and took 1st place at the Victoire Ballet Competition in Nagoya (2023). Most recently, she earned 1st place at the Japan Ballet Competition in Otsu (2024) and was ranked in the Pre-Competitive TOP12 at the YGP Finals in New York (2024).

Natsuki has been awarded several prestigious scholarships, including short-term scholarships at The Royal Ballet School (2023), Princess Grace Academy (2023), and the Berlin State Ballet School (2023). In 2024, she was also granted a scholarship from Elmhurst Ballet School and received an invitation to participate in the International Summer School (2023).

On being named a Royal Ballet School International Scholar, Natsuki said: ‘I am incredibly happy and grateful to have received an international scholarship. Visiting last year for a short time was such a wonderful experience, and I am thrilled to return. This feels like a dream come true, and I will do my very best to make the most of this opportunity and continue improving as a dancer.’