​SAKI MASUDA

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Saki Masuda is a Japanese performing artist recently featured as the Royal Court Dancer, Royal Wife, and understudy for the principal dance role of Eliza in the Lincoln Center’s national touring production of The King and I, directed by Bartlett Sher.

 

Saki started her training at an early age in a local ballet school in her hometown of Nara, Japan, where she quickly discovered her passion for dance and the performing arts. In order to continue pursuing her dreams, she moved to New York City where she was accepted on full scholarship to study ballet, jazz, modern, and musical theater at the world renown Steps on Broadway. She studied closely with the greats; David Howard, Debbie Roshe, Suzi Taylor, Karen Gayle, Michael Owens, and Milton Myers, to name a few. Soon after, she was invited to become a member of the Steps Ensemble where she performed extensive repertoire and new works with a multitude of choreographers such as Francesca Harper. 

 

Her professional dance career blossomed quickly as she expanded her skill set not only as a performer but as an educator as well. Within six months, she became Debbie Roshe’s assistant choreographer and teacher, where she taught student programs at the School at Steps, American Ballet Academy, Destination Broadway and American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive. Since then, she has performed with major dance companies such as the Ballet Hispanico Ensemble, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, Staten Island Ballet, Yesid and Dancers, Xodus Collective, Catskill Ballet Theatre, General Mischief Dance Theatre, and Heidi Latsky Dance. Her musical theatre credits include the King and I first national tour, Cats (where she played “Victoria”, the principle dancer role) , The Bodyguard the musical, Elf the musical,  Sayonara, Sheherazade, and Awaited. Saki has also performed as a backup dancer for Weird Al Yankovic’s “The Mandatory World Tour” at Radio City Music Hall in NYC.

 

Saki is living a dream that continues to amaze her! Grateful for so many opportunities, she is enthusiastic about traveling, performing, teaching, and sharing her happiness about doing what she loves every day.