Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Isaac Aoki made his debut at three as a frog in Thumbelina at the University of Utah. He does not remember a time he didn’t love dance. He went on to study at Ballet West Academy, performing yearly in its Nutcracker. He then earned a full scholarship to the Kirov Academy in Washington DC where he studied Russian Vaganova technique. He then successfully auditioned for a full scholarship at the Professional Division program at Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle where he studied for two years and performed with the company. From the age of 14, he attended programs every summer on scholarship – Kaatsbaan, The School of American Ballet, Miami City Ballet School, Springboard Danse Montreal, and Nederlands Dans Theatre. Isaac was invited to join Grand Rapids Ballet in 2013 by its then new director – Patricia Barker, former principal dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet. During his time there, he danced contemporary and classical works by George Balanchine, Lar Lubovitch, Jennifer Archibald, Olivier Wevers, and Alejandro Cerrudo. Isaac also originated roles in new creations by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Penny Saunders, and Robyn Mineko Williams. While living in Michigan Isaac was also a guest artist with Hubbard Street II, touring to Germany and at Lincoln Center to perform works by Alejandro Cerrudo, Peter Chu, and Bryan Aryias. He has choreographed four ballets since the inception of Grand Rapids Ballet’s Jumpstart series, in which company dancers create their own works. He is most excited to join Charlotte Ballet and become part of the diverse and culturally rich Queen City.
