Dancer
Yu is from Osaka, Japan and trained at his mother's dance school before joining the Hungarian Dance Academy and the San Francisco Ballet School. He previously worked for Houston Ballet and joined Northern Ballet in 2023.
Yu is sponsored by Elizabeth and David Jackson.
Learn more about Yu
Where were you born and raised?
Osaka, Japan.
At what age did you start dancing?
I started training at five years old.
Where did you train?
I started at my mother’s school, and then I went on to the Hungarian Dance Academy and San Francisco Ballet School’s trainee program.
Previous companies
Houston Ballet
Awards
Prix de Lausanne 2019 4th place
Favourite Northern Ballet roles/which Northern Ballet role would you most like to dance?
I’m really looking forward to seeing The Great Gatsby as it’s one of my favourite movies. I can’t wait to see how the Company interpret the story.
Career/training highlights
I’ve enjoyed dancing in Divergence and Swan Lake by Stanton Welch, Pretty Things and Peter Pan by Trey McIntyre and roles in The Nutcracker and George Balanchine’s Glinka Pas de Trois.
What do you like most about being a dancer?
I love bringing a positive mood to rehearsals. I think it’s important to have great relationships with my colleagues and audiences and I hope to bring a lot of positivity and cheer all the way from rehearsal to stage.
When I bow to audience I really say ‘thank you very much’. This is the best moment, it means a lot to me.
If you could adapt one work into a ballet what would it be?
Les Misérables.
What is your favourite book?
My favourite book is The Happy Prince.
What is your favourite post-show meal?
A Japanese BBQ.
How do you like to relax?
I like to play golf.
If you weren’t a dancer what would you be?
I think I would be a school teacher.