[Dancer Introduction Part 2!] [Ballet Ensemble Gala 2026 Kanto/Kansai Performances] Two Principal Dancers from Barcelona-based Ballet Company in Catalonia, Spain, Confirmed to Appear!
Marty Inc. announced that two principal dancers, Anna Ishii and Takahiro Nakajima, from the Barcelona Ballet, based in Catalonia, Spain, are confirmed to appear in the "Ballet Ensemble Gala 2026" Kanto and Kansai performances. This highlights the international collaboration and high-level talent performing in Japan.
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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) announced that Anna Ishii, Principal of Barcelona Ballet, and Takahiro Nakajima, Principal of Barcelona Ballet, are confirmed to appear in the "Ballet Ensemble Gala 2026 Kanto/Kansai Performances" organized by the company.
What is a Principal Dancer?
In a ballet company, a "principal" is one of the ranks assigned when there is a dancer hierarchy. It refers to the dancer with the highest status in the ballet company, essentially a "dancer specializing in leading roles." In Japanese, they are also called "lead dancer" or "top dancer."
Anna Ishii
Anna Ishii / Profile
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture. Started ballet at age 5 under Hideaki and Asako Yamada at Yamada Ballet Studio.
In 2011, studied abroad at the Royal Ballet School of Antwerp in Belgium. Participated in tours with the Flanders Ballet during her studies. After graduation, joined Tokyo City Ballet and Ballet de Catalunya. In 2019, joined Ballet de Barcelona, where she currently works as Principal, Choreographer, and Assistant Artistic Director.
She has performed leading roles in works such as "The Nutcracker," "Swan Lake," "Giselle," "Don Quixote," "Le Corsaire," "Coppélia," "Chronos" (choreography: Ross Freddie Ray), "Divergents" (choreography: Chase Johnsey), "Tongues" (choreography: David Rodriguez, Luke Prunty), and "Together" (choreography: Antonio Carmena).
As a choreographer, she presented "Peter and the Wolf" in 2019 and "Swan Lake Act 2" in 2021. "The Ugly Duckling" within "Perspective" was choreographed for the Festival Castell de Peralada.
She has been invited to various galas and masterclasses in Spain, the United States, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Slovakia, and Cape Town.
In 2023, she also participated in a gala hosted by Jose Martínez, the current Artistic Director of the Paris Opera Ballet.
Click here for more details on Anna Ishii.
Takahiro Nakajima
Takahiro Nakajima / Profile
Born in Gifu Prefecture. Started ballet at age 7, studying under Eriko Kushima (Ballet Academy Ruban).
After short-term studies at Washington Ballet School and Canada's Royal Winnipeg School, he entered Canada's Alberta Ballet School at age 15. During his studies, he performed in productions by the Alberta Ballet. He received awards such as Dancer of the Year.
After graduating from the school in 2020, he joined Barcelona Ballet and was promoted to Principal in 2024.
He has danced roles such as Albrecht in "Giselle," Prince Coqueluche in "The Nutcracker," Bluebird Pas de Deux in "Swan Lake," and Pas de Trois in "Paquita."
He has also appeared in works such as "CHRONOS" choreographed by Ross Freddie Ray and "Tongues" choreographed by David Rodríguez & Luke Prunty.
Furthermore, he has participated in multiple gala performances, including "Girona en Moviment" in Spain.
Click here for more details on Takahiro Nakajima.
What is Barcelona Ballet?
Ballet de Barcelona
Established in 2019, it is a ballet company based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It pursues performing arts that blend tradition and innovation, and is currently a hot topic in Spain as an international ballet company where dancers from diverse backgrounds gather. This highly popular and emerging ballet company has Japanese dancers as principals, leading the company from its core.
1. Artistic Director
Artistic Director Chase Johnsey is an American ballet dancer known for his gender-transcending expression. He aims for a ballet company that is not bound by traditional ballet frameworks but pursues diverse expressions.
2. Repertoire and Performances
Barcelona Ballet has a wide repertoire ranging from classical ballet masterpieces to contemporary works, offering audiences diverse stage experiences. It is characterized by innovative productions that incorporate modern themes and expressions while preserving the beauty of traditional ballet, captivating local ballet fans with high expressiveness based on classical techniques.
The Charm of the Two Dancers Active in Barcelona Ballet
Anna Ishii is a founding member of the ballet company and quickly gained the trust of the artistic director, active not only as a principal but also as a resident choreographer and assistant artistic director. Nakajima, who was newly promoted to principal in 2024, also brings youthful energy.
Marty Inc. (Headquarters: Mita Keio Residence 1F, 2-14-4 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo) announced that Anna Ishii, Principal of Barcelona Ballet, and Takahiro Nakajima, Principal of Barcelona Ballet, are confirmed to appear in the "Ballet Ensemble Gala 2026 Kanto/Kansai Performances" organized by the company.
What is a Principal Dancer?
In a ballet company, a "principal" is one of the ranks assigned when there is a dancer hierarchy. It refers to the dancer with the highest status in the ballet company, essentially a "dancer specializing in leading roles." In Japanese, they are also called "lead dancer" or "top dancer."
Anna Ishii
Anna Ishii / Profile
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture. Started ballet at age 5 under Hideaki and Asako Yamada at Yamada Ballet Studio.
In 2011, studied abroad at the Royal Ballet School of Antwerp in Belgium. Participated in tours with the Flanders Ballet during her studies. After graduation, joined Tokyo City Ballet and Ballet de Catalunya. In 2019, joined Ballet de Barcelona, where she currently works as Principal, Choreographer, and Assistant Artistic Director.
She has performed leading roles in works such as "The Nutcracker," "Swan Lake," "Giselle," "Don Quixote," "Le Corsaire," "Coppélia," "Chronos" (choreography: Ross Freddie Ray), "Divergents" (choreography: Chase Johnsey), "Tongues" (choreography: David Rodriguez, Luke Prunty), and "Together" (choreography: Antonio Carmena).
As a choreographer, she presented "Peter and the Wolf" in 2019 and "Swan Lake Act 2" in 2021. "The Ugly Duckling" within "Perspective" was choreographed for the Festival Castell de Peralada.
She has been invited to various galas and masterclasses in Spain, the United States, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Slovakia, and Cape Town.
In 2023, she also participated in a gala hosted by Jose Martínez, the current Artistic Director of the Paris Opera Ballet.
Click here for more details on Anna Ishii.
Takahiro Nakajima
Takahiro Nakajima / Profile
Born in Gifu Prefecture. Started ballet at age 7, studying under Eriko Kushima (Ballet Academy Ruban).
After short-term studies at Washington Ballet School and Canada's Royal Winnipeg School, he entered Canada's Alberta Ballet School at age 15. During his studies, he performed in productions by the Alberta Ballet. He received awards such as Dancer of the Year.
After graduating from the school in 2020, he joined Barcelona Ballet and was promoted to Principal in 2024.
He has danced roles such as Albrecht in "Giselle," Prince Coqueluche in "The Nutcracker," Bluebird Pas de Deux in "Swan Lake," and Pas de Trois in "Paquita."
He has also appeared in works such as "CHRONOS" choreographed by Ross Freddie Ray and "Tongues" choreographed by David Rodríguez & Luke Prunty.
Furthermore, he has participated in multiple gala performances, including "Girona en Moviment" in Spain.
Click here for more details on Takahiro Nakajima.
What is Barcelona Ballet?
Ballet de Barcelona
Established in 2019, it is a ballet company based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It pursues performing arts that blend tradition and innovation, and is currently a hot topic in Spain as an international ballet company where dancers from diverse backgrounds gather. This highly popular and emerging ballet company has Japanese dancers as principals, leading the company from its core.
1. Artistic Director
Artistic Director Chase Johnsey is an American ballet dancer known for his gender-transcending expression. He aims for a ballet company that is not bound by traditional ballet frameworks but pursues diverse expressions.
2. Repertoire and Performances
Barcelona Ballet has a wide repertoire ranging from classical ballet masterpieces to contemporary works, offering audiences diverse stage experiences. It is characterized by innovative productions that incorporate modern themes and expressions while preserving the beauty of traditional ballet, captivating local ballet fans with high expressiveness based on classical techniques.
The Charm of the Two Dancers Active in Barcelona Ballet
Anna Ishii is a founding member of the ballet company and quickly gained the trust of the artistic director, active not only as a principal but also as a resident choreographer and assistant artistic director. Nakajima, who was newly promoted to principal in 2024, also brings youthful energy.