The Australian Ballet has named Ako Kondo as its first ever Japanese Principal Artist.
The 24-year-old was awarded the honour at the curtain call of her final performance as the lead in Giselle.
Kondo was posed on stage, waiting for the curtain to fall. Becoming more and more confused the longer the curtain stayed up, the dancer says she was totally surprised when Artistic director David McAllister took to the stage to announce her appointment in front of the entire crowd.
“I was shocked, I couldn’t even breathe. This morning I got up and I was just like ‘wow, it actually happened’. I feel so honoured,” she says of the event.
Ako has been dancing with the Australian Ballet for five years and has starred in performances such as The Nutcracker, La Bayadère and Giselle.
Her passion for dancing, she says, started when she began lessons at aged three in Japan. From there, she moved up quickly, winning second prize at the Japan Grand Prix, studying at The Royal Ballet School’s International Summer School and touring with The Dancers Company, before finally being promoted to senior dancer in 2014.
Take a look back at some of our favourite Austraian ballet dancers.
Ako, pictured here, is the first Japanese Principal Artist in the Australian Ballet. Photo: Justin Ridler.
Ako showing off her skill. Photo: Jeff Busby.
After a performance of Giselle. Photo: Lisa Tomasetti.
Reheasing Swan Lake with Kevin Jackson. Photo: Lynette Wills.
Brother and sister duo, Jack and Annie Bertinshaw.
Jack dances for the National Ballet of Canada, whilst Annie dances for the Salzburg Ballet.
Hayley Page, the Hamburg Ballet.
Hannah O’Neill, Paris Opera Ballet.
From left to right: Zoe Roberts (National Ballet of Portugal), James Lyttle (Bavarian State Ballet), Evan Lynch (Scottish Ballet) and Emily Smith (Birmingham Royal Ballet).
Madeleline Eastoe, with daughter, Ella.
Olivia Bell, with twin sons Gabriel and Raphael.
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