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Sumi Ichikawa

@sumiumi3

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#TBT 🧡 Throwing it back to an unforgettable night… 25 to Watch Live 2026! We’re still glowing from the chance to see so much skyrocketing talent on one stage.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, and thank you to each of our incredible performers. ✨ (Show them some love in the comments!)

🎥: In order of appearance: @willowrdubose’s “All Rise,” presented by @agoraartistsdtx. @kelmatsena and @37justharvey in an excerpt from Kel and @anthony_matsena’s “Kabel.” @emiko.tap in her “Resonance.” @angel_ramirez_333 in a variation from “Coppélia.” @deniz.e.sancak in @stephenpetronio’s “No More Heroes.” @sumiumi3 in @leilandrwc’s “Decisions, Decisions.” @odcsf in an excerpt from @miajchong’s “Theories of Time.” @mellowbastard in their “Who dis fah.” @david.omatz in Albrecht’s variation from “Giselle.” @kashiakancey in her “For My Amusement.” @williamokajima in @ethancolangelo’s “Passing.” Videos by @hana__made.

#25towatch #25towatchlive #dance

Description: Short video clips showing dancers posing for a group photo, the outside of a theater, dancers rehearsing and performing, and people mingling in the theater lobby. The artists represent many genres, from tap to contemporary, postmodern, and ballet.

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On April 27, friends from across the dance community gathered in Harlem at The Apollo Stages at The Victoria for the fourth annual 25 to Watch Live. 🧡 The springtime energy outside felt in keeping with the performance inside: a celebratory showcase for 11 of our 2026 “25 to Watch” picks. These talented artists’ careers are beginning to flower.

Learn more at the link in our bio! 🧡

All photos by @zordan.photography.
📸: @emiko.tap in her “Resonance.”
📸: @mellowbastard in their “Who dis fah.”
📸: @kashiakancey in her “For My Amusement.”
📸: @angel_ramirez_333 in a variation from “Coppélia.” 📸: @david.omatz in Albrecht’s variation from “Giselle.”
📸: @sumiumi3 in @leilandrwc’s “Decisions, Decisions.”
📸: @deniz.e.sancak in @stephenpetronio’s “No More Heroes.”
📸: @williamokajima in @ethancolangelo’s “Passing.”
📸: @kelmatsena and @37justharvey in an excerpt from Kel and @anthony_matsena’s “Kabel.”
📸: @odcsf in an excerpt from @miajchong’s “Theories of Time.”
📸: @willowrdubose’s “All Rise,” presented by @agoraartistsdtx.
📝: @margaretfuhrer

#25ToWatchLive #25ToWatch #dance

Descriptions:
1) A large group of dancers stands on a stage in front of a blue background, all smiling at the camera. Text: Celebrating Rising Talent at 25 to Watch Live 2026
2) Nakagawa, wearing a black jumpsuit and amber-colored tap shoes that match her deep-red hair, dances at the front of a shadowy stage, her arms flying as she stomps her right foot.
3) Lee, wearing a cocoa-colored tank top and patterned pants, dances on a stage bathed in orange light, squatting low to the ground as they look up and out over their right shoulder.
4) Kancey, in a lime-green dress with a giant white neck ruff, stands on a stage bathed in purple light, her wide smile almost a grimace as she makes a “V” with her arms, her pointer fingers extended.
5) Ramírez, wearing tan tights, a white shirt and a pale blue vest, kneels elegantly at the front of a stage bathed in blue light.
6) O’Matz, wearing grey tights and an embellished black ballet tunic, is caught mid-cabriole derrière on a blue-lit stage, his arms forming a circle over his head.
(Continued in comments)

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All these artists… One night only.

You don’t want to miss this.

🔥 #25ToWatchLive 2026 🔥
Monday, April 27, 2026 at 7 pm EDT
The Apollo Stages at The Victoria
233 W. 125 St., New York, NY 10026

🎟 Tickets ➡️ #linkinbio 🎟

📸: In order of appearance:
🌟@agoraartistsdtx; photo by @pinkcords, courtesy Agora Artists.
🌟@miajchong; photo by @rjmuna, courtesy Chong.
🌟@matsenaproductions in “KABEL;” photo by @kirstenmcternanphotography, courtesy @sadlers_wells.
🌟@emiko.tap; photo courtesy Nakagawa.
🌟@williamokajima in Kyle Abraham’s “2×4;” photo by @alexanderdiaz.ata, courtesy @aimbykyleabraham.
🌟@kashiakancey in her “I’m in the Middle of the Ocean, and I Can’t See You;” photo by @photo_by_baranova, courtesy Kancey.
🌟@deniz.e.sancak; photo by @jaqlinmedlockphotography, courtesy Sancak.
🌟@david.omatz; photo by @photobuzzy, courtesy @pittsburghballettheatre.
🌟@sumiumi3 as the Lilac Fairy in “The Sleeping Beauty;” photo by @jenniferzmuda_dance, courtesy @balletmet.
🌟@mellowbastard in Jonathan González’s “Spectral Dances;” photo by @photo_by_baranova, courtesy Lee.
🌟@angel_ramirez_333 in Helgi Tómasson’s “Concerto Grosso;” photo by Kim Kenney, courtesy @atlantaballet.

#25towatch #danceperformance #dance

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🔥 Curiosity piqued by our 2026 “25 to Watch” list? You’re in luck: 25 to Watch Live will bring together a number of this year’s selected artists for a one-night-only performance in New York City this spring. Join us in Harlem at The Apollo Stages at The Victoria (@victoriatheaternyc) on Monday, April 27, at 7 pm.

Set to perform are:
🌟 Ballet dancers Sumi Ichikawa (@sumiumi3, @balletmet), David O’Matz (@david.omatz, @pittsburghballettheatre), and Ángel Ramírez (@angel_ramirez_333, @atlantaballet)
🌟 Contemporary dance artists Kashia Kancey (@kashiakancey), Kris Lee (@mellowbastard), Anthony and Kel Matsena (@matsenaproductions, @kelmatsena, @anthony_matsena), William Okajima (@williamokajima, @aimbykyleabraham), and Deniz Erkan Sancak (@deniz.e.sancak)
🌟 Tap artist Emiko Nakagawa (@emiko.tap)
🌟 Plus choreography by Mia J. Chong (@miajchong), performed by members of ODC/Dance (@odcsf), and, presented by Agora Artists (@agoraartistsdtx), Willow DuBose (@willowrdubose)

🔥Tickets are now live at the link in our bio! Grab yours today. 🎟️

#25ToWatchLive #25ToWatch #dance

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These are only some of the casts I danced with during the past two weeks!

Congrats everyone!

#balletmet

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📣 We're ONE WEEK OUT from 25 to Watch Live! ⏳

Don't miss your chance to experience an electrifying mix of dancers and dance styles, all in one unforgettable evening.

🎟 Save your seats NOW at the link in our bio! 🎟

🔥 ONE NIGHT ONLY 🔥
Monday, April 27, 2026 at 7 pm EDT
The Apollo Stages at The Victoria
233 W. 125 St., New York, NY 10026

📸: Clockwise, from top left: @agoraartistsdtx, @miajchong, @matsenaproductions, @emiko.tap, @williamokajima, @kashiakancey, @deniz.e.sancak, @david.omatz, @sumiumi3, @mellowbastard, and @angel_ramirez_333

#25ToWatch #25ToWatchLive #Dance

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From the court to the studio 🩰🏐

We traded knee pads for pliés and gained a whole new level of respect for the strength and grace it takes to perform at BalletMet.

Different stages. Same dedication.

Join us on March 10th for our Arts & Culture Match as we celebrate the power of performance in every form. 🎭✨Ticket link in Bio!

#WEAREFURY #ColumbusFurySupportsTheArts #ArtsandCulture

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Last week, our friends at @dancemagazine released their 2026 “25 to Watch” list. This annual round-up spotlights up-and-coming talent throughout the dance industry, from classical to modern dance, contemporary, breaking, Broadway, and more.

Check out this year’s picks from the ballet world at the link in our bio, and head to dancemagazine.com to read the full “25 to Watch” list. 💞

⭐ @dominika_afanasenkov in Balanchine’s “Errante.” Photo by @erinbaiano, courtesy @nycballet.
⭐ @sumiumi3 with @zacharyguthier in David Nixon’s “Dracula.” Photo by @jenniferzmuda_dance, courtesy @balletmet.
⭐ @shi_jeani in Ben Stevenson’s “Dracula.” Photo by @kateluberphoto, courtesy @tulsaballet.
⭐ @taku.ballet as Eros in Sir Frederick Ashton’s “Sylvia.” Photo by @nirarieli, courtesy @abtofficial.
⭐ @julietteochoa. Photo by Christopher Peddecord, courtesy @oregon.ballet.theatre.
⭐ @david.omatz. Photo by @photobuzzy, courtesy @pittsburghballettheatre.
⭐ @angel_ramirez_333 in Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s “Coco Chanel: The Life of a Fashion Icon.” Photo by @shocphoto, courtesy @atlantaballet.
⭐ @yukitkhs in Peter Boal’s “Giselle.” Photo by @angelasterlingphoto, courtesy @pacificnorthwestballet.
⭐ @sayakotoku and @_angelogreco_ rehearsing Stanton Welch’s “Vi et Animo.” Photo by alana.soup, courtesy @houstonballet.
⭐ @verzolaballet leading rehearsal for Jacob’s Pillow’s Contemporary Ballet summer program. Photo by @cdugganphoto, courtesy @jacobspillow /Verzola.

#dance #dancers #dancemagazine

Image descriptions in comments.

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A quiet moment inside rehearsal for Peter Pan—and a reminder of why I love ballet so deeply. Watching a story come to life through movement, music, and discipline never stops inspiring me, especially when it’s created with the level of artistry and care I continue to see at @balletmet .

BalletMet’s Peter Pan will premiere at the Ohio Theatre from February 13–15, with five performances scheduled. It is a beautiful production for audiences of all ages and also a wonderful option for a Valentine’s Day outing.

I’m grateful to witness the work behind the scenes and to support the artists who make these moments on stage possible.

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Nutcracker ‘25 completed🥜❤️
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I am so blessed to have danced with amazing people that have made this season so memorable🫶

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So grateful to perform in another @balletmet Nutcracker! Thank you to all my family and friends who have supported me this nutty season🫶🏼 Looking forward to next year!!

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grateful for a smooth 25 show run of my first @balletmet Nutcracker ❤️ see you in the new year!

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#ballet #ballerina #columbus #columbusart #thenutcracker

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