Meet Mari Yoshikawa | Dancer &study abroad

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mari Yoshikawa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi MARI, why did you pursue a creative career?
The reason I started this activity was to change my negative self. The dance I began in my second year of junior high school had a huge impact on both my personality and my future. At that time, I was someone who didn’t want to change my beliefs, but at the same time, I was overly concerned about how others saw me. I felt frustrated because I couldn’t express my opinions, and I was often perceived as difficult to approach because of that. It was during this time that I discovered dance, and it helped me a lot. The reason it helped was because expression through dance is free. Without worrying about being right or what others think, I could release and organize my emotions, and I could also appreciate and acknowledge the expressions of others. I was drawn to this environment, and it became a part of my life.

I believe that dance reflects emotions, sensitivity, and even a person’s character and feelings that words cannot express. Since coming to America, I’ve felt a strong connection to expressing my own style. I’ve received more compliments on my energetic dance, and I’ve come to realize the importance of staying true to my convictions.

Additionally, this experience that changed me has inspired me to pursue a career where I can express myself through my work. After returning to Japan, I want to share the message that it’s okay to express emotions freely, that there is no need to conform to a specific form, and that expression is limitless. Moving forward, I want to continue pursuing dance and further develop myself.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from other artists is my energy and my jumping ability. These traits come from my self-confidence and my daily strength training. Additionally, the shape of my hands and the silhouettes I create are influenced by the years I spent practicing traditional Japanese dance. These features have shaped my current style, which I love and am proud of. However, getting to this point was not easy. During my time in Japan, I lacked confidence in my own style and fell into a slump. There were many technically skilled dancers around me, and I couldn’t help but compare myself to them. As a result, there was a period of about six months when I actually hated dancing.

What helped me overcome this was simply not giving up. I believed that if I gave up, that would be the end of it, so even when it was tough, I kept dancing. I also expressed my feelings of frustration through dance. Along the way, I received a lot of advice from my trusted friends. One day, everything just clicked. I realized that the key was to dance freely and authentically, in a way that felt true to myself. From that moment, my style was solidified.

The lesson I learned from all of this is that even when things are tough, if you have a vision of who you want to become, you should never give up and keep going.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’ve only been here for four months, so honestly, I’m not a professional yet, but the first place I’d take someone is Venice Beach on a weekday to show them how amazing the ocean is in America and the beautiful weather. After that, we’d enjoy some delicious tacos and stay at a hotel near the beach. I’d want them to feel the energy of American dance classes and enjoy thrift shopping too. Most importantly, I’d want them to try American meat, which is absolutely incredible and so different from Japan—it’s something

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are many people who have supported my dreams—my parents, friends, teachers, and seniors—and their words have helped me a lot. I am especially grateful to my mother because she respects and supports my feelings the most. My mother’s catchphrase is “Just try anything.” One of her most memorable sayings is, “If you don’t spend money on experiences, what else are you going to spend it on?” Because of her, I’ve had many experiences that have helped me clarify my thoughts. My solo trip to New York, which became the turning point for my decision to study abroad, was also something she encouraged me to do. My mother has given me the courage to take that first step and has always been there to support me. I can never thank her enough for that.

Instagram: marimarimarriy

Image Credits
Head shot: @uk.2_26