Moena Oku
Moena Oku is an emerging dancer and choreographer with a rich and diverse background in dance, ranging from contemporary ballet to modern and jazz dance. She has showcased her talent in various prestigious festivals and programs across the globe. In 2024, Moena was selected to perform in the "Next Generation Festival" at the Royal Opera House, featuring in pieces such as "F to F" and "FORTUNA," choreographed by Roseanna Anderson and Joshua Ben-Tovim (Impermanence). Additionally, her choreography pieces were selected for "Platform 2024" at Sadler's Wells Theatre, highlighting her creativity and artistic vision. Moena's dedication to dance is further exemplified by her participation in the Matthew Bourne New Adventures Swan School spring program in 2024. She also played the role of "Max" in Wayne McGregor's "Entity," restaged by Neil Flemming Brown at the Royal Opera House's Linbury Theatre for the 2023 Next Generation event. Her choreographic skills were first recognized in 2021 when she choreographed a contemporary ballet solo titled "Life is Beautiful" for the Student Platform. Her earlier years were marked by international achievements, including winning a spot to participate in the Royal Ballet School Antwerp Japanese Audition summer courses in 2019 and securing the highest number of prizes at the Ballet Competition in Yokohama in 2018. These accomplishments led to her being seeded for the All Japan Ballet Competition. Moena's training is comprehensive, including summer intensives with NYDance Artistey-Hariyama Ballet in the USA in 2013 and 2018. Her versatility extends to character dance, tap dance, modern dance, jazz, and hip hop, with experience from Broadway Dance Theatre. In 2014, she performed as the "Butterfly" in the Japan Ballet Association's production of "Alice in Wonderland," showcasing her range and adaptability as a performer. Moena Oku's journey reflects her commitment to the arts and her continuous growth as a dancer and choreographer, making her a rising star in the world of dance.