Meet Karin Tatsuoka | Professional Dancer

After arriving in the U.S. 9 years and a half year ago, I trained dance at many different known dance studios in New York and Los Angeles. I was invited to join the House of Amazon by my House Mother, Leiomy Maldonado, a main choreographer of the FX series, “Pose” and one of the judges on the HBO Max show “Legendary”.  Under her training since December 2015, I started walking (competing) at Vogue Balls in New York. My training under various instructors gave me plenty of professional opportunities. I got signed with America’s top agency, MSA, in June, 2016.⁠ I auditioned with 580 men and women, and was one of 3 women selected to get signed with the talent agency.

I have worked in commercial ads, huge stage productions, subbed in for professional classes and has been blessed to work with artists such as 50 Cent, The Weekend, 2 Chainz, Ariana Grande, J Balvin, Babe Rexha, Luis Fonsi, Demi Lovato, Major Lazer, Carlos Vives, Nike NYC, Facebook Messenger Rooms, Samsung, Nintendo, and many more.⁠

What I am most proud of is being able to make a living as a professional dancer in America. I started dancing when I was 19 in Japan and my first Artist (O-1) Visa got approved on June, 2018, so I have been working as a professional dancer for 3 years and 3 months in America. I really wish I started dancing when I was little but everyone has their own journey, so I am proud of myself that I was still able to make a living as a professional dancer especially during this pandemic in LA.

During this pandemic, I was able to book Facebook Messenger Rooms National and International TV Commercials, Patrick Starrr’s Music Video “Go Off”, Nikita Dragon x Morphie Beauty Campaign Ad, Samsung Galaxy A “Awesome Unpacked” Commercial, Just Dance Game US “Nintendo Switch” Commercial, 88 rising Head In The Cloud Music Festival for Rei Ami’s Live Performance Show, and a few more other music videos. I was able to teach Vogue Femme to the dancers from TEHH NYC in Chile via Zoom and subbed Vogue femme classes for a few dance studios in LA. I kept training during this pandemic, did many self-tape auditions and in-person auditions, and walked (battled) for a few Vogue balls. Most recently, I showcased my own piece for the very first time at Choreographer’s Carnival in LA. This experience was pretty amazing to me. Living in this entertainment industry is an emotional wave; you don’t know exactly when your next job will come, and you don’t know where it will take you. You have to accept failure in order to get what you want and constantly get up and fight for your goals. Even through the tough times, I always remind myself to stay true to myself and not to compare to other souls. I chose to live this life by myself and carry the responsibility for my life and my own happiness, growth, and challenges. I learned an importance of being patient, not worrying about what I cannot control, making contents for Instagram, keep doing self submissions, and always staying true to myself especially during this pandemic.

I am blessed enough to have had many opportunities so far. Before I moved to the U.S. I never thought I would be able to accomplish these dreams of mine. Everything I have encountered makes me feel that “Anything is possible” in life. On the train before I moved to the U.S. I told myself, “If I get my Artist Visa, I’m gonna move to LA, and I’m gonna work as a professional dancer.” I am proud of myself for never giving up and believing in myself so strongly, seeing that my dream is now the reality I live in. Plus, I am very excited for my new journey. I would love to explore my creativity and share with others more from now on!

From my own experiences, I want to leave a message to everyone that It’s never too late to start anything. And in your life, Anything is Possible !! Don’t never ever give up !! Just be yourself! You are so special and You are only one in this world.