Kanae Kusu (ballet dancer)

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Born in Matsuyama, Ehime, Kanae started her ballet training at the age of 4.

She graduated from Northern Ballet School in England and moved to the U.S. Having started at Ajkun Ballet Theatre, she joined Connecticut Ballet, where she appeared as Clara of The Nutcracker with the principal dancer of American Ballet Theatre. In 2015, Kanae joined Ballet San Antonio. Her repertoire includes The Sleeping Beauty (Princess Florine, the White Cat), Romeo and Juliet (Rosaline), and The Nutcracker (Chinese Tea, the Reed Flutes). Back to Japan in March 2020, Kanae is now acting as a freelance dancer in Ehime.

She performs in collaboration with the traditional Japanese musical instruments such as Shinobue (bamboo flute) or Wadaiko (drum) as well as with Noh, the classical Japanese dance-drama. She also appears as a guest performer at various events like fashion shows.