Step into the world of ballet beyond the spotlight with our exclusive feature! Each edition offers a glimpse into the off-stage lives of your favorite dancers, showcasing their unique hobbies and passions. Discover the surprising and delightful activities that make these artists’ lives as captivating as their performances.
NINA YOSHIDA WEBSTER
Ballet RI
Company Dancer
@ninaballerina98
Essential item in your dance bag?
My homemade foot spray made from essential oils. Spraying it on my feet at the end of the day feels heavenly!
Movie you can re-watch till the end of time?
Bullet Train.
Dancer who’s inspired you?
Gelsey Kirkland—I was fortunate enough to dance for her for four years in New York City.
Song/artist/playlist you’ve been playing on repeat?
Boney M. “Rasputin” and “Sunny” were huge hits at my wedding.
Least favorite dance step?
Attitude turns en dehors.
How do you like to spend your time outside of dance?
I love crafting! I just started knitting and sewing about two years ago, and I have started making my own clothes and leotards.
Best place to hang out in your company’s home city?
Prospect Terrace Park. I love to take a book or my knitting there with some friends.
Dream role?
Giselle. It has been my favorite ballet since I was 3 years old.
Go-to coffee shop order?
Matcha Latte.
Essential post-show ritual?
I’m boring. I like to shower off all my sweat and makeup and snuggle in bed with my cats.
ABOUT NINA
Nina Yoshida was born in New York City and began her dance training at New Jersey School of Ballet. In 2013, she moved back to New York City to train with Gelsey Kirkland and in 2015, she was invited to join the Gelsey Kirkland Ballet Company. In 2018, Nina joined American Repertory Ballet in Princeton, New Jersey, where she spent 3 years.
Her repertoire includes the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Snow Queen in The Nutcracker, Carlotta Grisi in Pas de Quatre, solo dancer and first pas de deux in Ja’ Malik’s Fragments of Hope, Lead Bacchanal in Walpurgisnacht Ballet, Maria in Cavalry Halt, Eternal Spring Pas de Deux from Yakobson’s Rodin, and Bournonville’s Flower Festival at Genzano pas de deux. Nina is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance at Saint Mary’s College of California’s LEAP (liberal education for arts professionals) Program, as well as a therapeutic massage certification at Community College of Rhode Island. In addition, she is a RYT200 certified yoga instructor.
Featured image by Ezra Enzo Photography
Image 2 by Ezra Enzo Photography
Image 3: “Snow Pas” in Yury Yanowsky’s Nutcracker by Liza Voll
