[Dancer Introduction Vol. 1!] Ballet Ensemble Gala 2026 Kanto/Kansai Performances: Two Principal Dancers from Brno, Czech Republic Confirmed!
Marty Inc. announced the 'Ballet Ensemble Gala 2026' for Kanto and Kansai. Mona Sakakibara and Shoma Ogasawara, principal dancers from the National Theatre Brno Ballet in the Czech Republic, are confirmed to perform.
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Ballet Ensemble Gala 2026 Tokyo Performance / Featured Dancer Introduction
Marty Inc. (Headquarters: Mita Keio Residence 1F, 2-14-4 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo) has announced that Mona Sakakibara, Principal Dancer of the National Theatre Brno Ballet, and Shoma Ogasawara, Principal Dancer of the National Theatre Brno Ballet, will perform in the 'Ballet Ensemble Gala 2026 Kanto / Kansai Performances' organized by the company.
What is a Principal Dancer?
A principal dancer is a top dancer in a ballet company who is entrusted with leading roles. They possess not only high technical skill but also rich expressiveness and stage presence, playing a crucial role in bringing the performance to life as the center of the work. It is a position that only dancers with extensive experience and achievements can attain, and their dance strongly captivates the audience and determines the overall impression of the stage.
Mona Sakakibara
Mona Sakakibara / Profile
Began ballet at age 3 at Hiroyama Misako Ballet Creative. In 2011, studied abroad for a short period at the Centre de Danse International Rosella Hightower (France-Japan Artistic Dance Center). In 2012, won 3rd prize at the National Ballet Competition in Nagoya. In 2014, studied abroad at the Munich International Ballet School in Germany, mentored by Rosina Kovacs Pop, Bojana Nenadovic Otrin, and Maxim Chashchegorov. Won 1st prize at the Vienna International Ballet Competition. In 2015, won 1st prize at the World Ballet Competition in Romania, 1st prize at the International Ballet & Contemporary Dance Competition, and 1st prize at the Ballet & Dance Competition in Italy. In 2016, performed Uwe Scholz's 'Octet' as a guest dancer at the Staatstheater Cottbus in Germany. Won 1st prize at the Vienna International Ballet Competition. In 2017, performed the Grand Pas de Deux from 'Satanella' and 'Flames of Paris' at a ballet gala of the Theater Bremen Ballet. In August 2017, joined the National Theatre Brno Ballet in the Czech Republic. Promoted to Demi-Soloist in 2022. Performed the Grand Pas de Deux from 'Don Quixote' at a ballet gala of the Theater Bremen Ballet. Promoted to Soloist in 2023. Promoted to Principal in 2025.
More details on Mona Sakakibara here
Shoma Ogasawara
Shoma Ogasawara / Profile
Began ballet at age 7 at Takawa Gakuin Tachibana Ballet Class. In 2014, entered Tokyo Metropolitan Comprehensive Arts High School. In 2016, studied abroad at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts in Norway. In 2017, won the Audience Award at The Nordic Baltic Ballet Competition. In 2017, won a Gold Medal and Grand Prix at the Grasse International Ballet Competition. In 2018, won 1st prize at The Nordic Baltic Ballet Competition. In 2018, joined the National Theatre Brno Ballet in the Czech Republic. Promoted to Demi-Soloist in 2020. Promoted to Soloist in 2023.
Promoted to Principal in 2025.
More details on Shoma Ogasawara here
About the National Theatre Brno Ballet, Czech Republic
National Theatre Brno
The Ballet of the National Theatre Brno is the second largest professional ballet company in the Czech Republic, based in Brno, the country's second-largest city. Its history began in 1919, boasting over 100 years of tradition.
1. History and Tradition
The National Theatre Brno Ballet was established in 1919 and has received high acclaim both in the Czech Republic and abroad. In 1938, it made history in ballet by hosting the world premiere of Sergei Prokofiev's ballet 'Romeo and Juliet'.
2. Diverse Repertoire and Artistry
The repertoire of the National Theatre Brno Ballet spans classical ballet, neo-classical, and contemporary dance. In addition to classical works such as 'Swan Lake,' 'The Nutcracker,' 'Sleeping Beauty,' and 'La Bayadère,' they also perform works by world-renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine, Jiří Kylián, Nacho Duato, Edward Clug, and Johan Inger.
3. Multicultural Dancers and Artistic Director
Currently, the ballet company has approximately 50 dancers from over 20 countries. Since 2013, the esteemed Slovak ballet dancer Mario Radačovský has served as its artistic director, under whose guidance the company has achieved further creative growth.
The Charm of the Two Dancers Active in the National Theatre Brno Ballet, Czech Republic
It is not easy to handle a diverse repertoire in a ballet company that combines tradition and innovation, possesses high artistry, and attracts international attention.
Marty Inc. (Headquarters: Mita Keio Residence 1F, 2-14-4 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo) has announced that Mona Sakakibara, Principal Dancer of the National Theatre Brno Ballet, and Shoma Ogasawara, Principal Dancer of the National Theatre Brno Ballet, will perform in the 'Ballet Ensemble Gala 2026 Kanto / Kansai Performances' organized by the company.
What is a Principal Dancer?
A principal dancer is a top dancer in a ballet company who is entrusted with leading roles. They possess not only high technical skill but also rich expressiveness and stage presence, playing a crucial role in bringing the performance to life as the center of the work. It is a position that only dancers with extensive experience and achievements can attain, and their dance strongly captivates the audience and determines the overall impression of the stage.
Mona Sakakibara
Mona Sakakibara / Profile
Began ballet at age 3 at Hiroyama Misako Ballet Creative. In 2011, studied abroad for a short period at the Centre de Danse International Rosella Hightower (France-Japan Artistic Dance Center). In 2012, won 3rd prize at the National Ballet Competition in Nagoya. In 2014, studied abroad at the Munich International Ballet School in Germany, mentored by Rosina Kovacs Pop, Bojana Nenadovic Otrin, and Maxim Chashchegorov. Won 1st prize at the Vienna International Ballet Competition. In 2015, won 1st prize at the World Ballet Competition in Romania, 1st prize at the International Ballet & Contemporary Dance Competition, and 1st prize at the Ballet & Dance Competition in Italy. In 2016, performed Uwe Scholz's 'Octet' as a guest dancer at the Staatstheater Cottbus in Germany. Won 1st prize at the Vienna International Ballet Competition. In 2017, performed the Grand Pas de Deux from 'Satanella' and 'Flames of Paris' at a ballet gala of the Theater Bremen Ballet. In August 2017, joined the National Theatre Brno Ballet in the Czech Republic. Promoted to Demi-Soloist in 2022. Performed the Grand Pas de Deux from 'Don Quixote' at a ballet gala of the Theater Bremen Ballet. Promoted to Soloist in 2023. Promoted to Principal in 2025.
More details on Mona Sakakibara here
Shoma Ogasawara
Shoma Ogasawara / Profile
Began ballet at age 7 at Takawa Gakuin Tachibana Ballet Class. In 2014, entered Tokyo Metropolitan Comprehensive Arts High School. In 2016, studied abroad at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts in Norway. In 2017, won the Audience Award at The Nordic Baltic Ballet Competition. In 2017, won a Gold Medal and Grand Prix at the Grasse International Ballet Competition. In 2018, won 1st prize at The Nordic Baltic Ballet Competition. In 2018, joined the National Theatre Brno Ballet in the Czech Republic. Promoted to Demi-Soloist in 2020. Promoted to Soloist in 2023.
Promoted to Principal in 2025.
More details on Shoma Ogasawara here
About the National Theatre Brno Ballet, Czech Republic
National Theatre Brno
The Ballet of the National Theatre Brno is the second largest professional ballet company in the Czech Republic, based in Brno, the country's second-largest city. Its history began in 1919, boasting over 100 years of tradition.
1. History and Tradition
The National Theatre Brno Ballet was established in 1919 and has received high acclaim both in the Czech Republic and abroad. In 1938, it made history in ballet by hosting the world premiere of Sergei Prokofiev's ballet 'Romeo and Juliet'.
2. Diverse Repertoire and Artistry
The repertoire of the National Theatre Brno Ballet spans classical ballet, neo-classical, and contemporary dance. In addition to classical works such as 'Swan Lake,' 'The Nutcracker,' 'Sleeping Beauty,' and 'La Bayadère,' they also perform works by world-renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine, Jiří Kylián, Nacho Duato, Edward Clug, and Johan Inger.
3. Multicultural Dancers and Artistic Director
Currently, the ballet company has approximately 50 dancers from over 20 countries. Since 2013, the esteemed Slovak ballet dancer Mario Radačovský has served as its artistic director, under whose guidance the company has achieved further creative growth.
The Charm of the Two Dancers Active in the National Theatre Brno Ballet, Czech Republic
It is not easy to handle a diverse repertoire in a ballet company that combines tradition and innovation, possesses high artistry, and attracts international attention.