TSUNAGU: To Connect: Whether it is connecting employers to job seekers or bringing different cultures together, we at Activ8 value the bridge-builders who make our world a better place every day. Our new series, TSUNAGU, will feature inspirational people who connect North America and Japan through business, education, art, culture and more.
Rie Katayama: Flamenco Dancer and Art Director, Project Planning and Management Manager
Rie Katayama is a flamenco dancer and art director who also works as a project planning and management manager for a Japanese company. While building her career as an engineer in both Japan and the U.S., Rie has contributed to a wide range of activities that support traditional arts. Flamenco, in particular, has captured the hearts of many through her roles as a dancer, teacher, and art director. We spoke with Rie, a trailblazer who boldly takes on challenges while honoring tradition, to hear about her journey and her vision for the future.
A Girl Who Dreams of Being a Dancer
Rie was born in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture. One of her most vivid childhood memories is of ballet class. Rather than attending kindergarten, Rie preferred helping her father with his textile business, often riding with him to work. Next to a client’s factory, there was a ballet school, and the lessons she glimpsed through the window sparked a bright light in her young imagination. She would beg her parents, “I want to learn ballet too!” However, they were too busy with work to enroll her in classes.
Unable to take formal lessons, Rie practiced dancing at home during her elementary school years, mimicking the popular Pink Lady. In junior high, she became captivated by the main character of the movie Flashdance—a woman who works as a welder by day and a dancer at night, pursuing her dream of becoming a professional dancer. Despite not having formal ballet training, this character’s determination resonated deeply with Rie. She made a vow in her heart: “Someday, I will become that heroine.”
Rie joined the rhythm gymnastics club in high school and later the modern dance club in college. Just as she felt she was getting closer to her dream, she began struggling with an eating disorder. Her physical strength deteriorated so much that she could barely attend school, forcing her to leave the club with tears in her eyes.
After she entered the working world and regained her health, a flamenco school opened near her home. On a whim, she decided to give it a try, thinking, “I haven’t danced in a while, but maybe I can start now.” However, when she actually began, she found even the basic movements challenging, and she struggled to follow the teacher’s instructions. This continued until the day she departed for the U.S. as an expatriate.
Career as an Engineer
Rie Katayama’s career as an engineer began when she was transferred to the U.S. by a major Japanese machinery manufacturer. She later worked for a U.S. automotive parts company that specifically sought an engineer who understood Japanese. As the sole Japanese employee, she was responsible for managing operations related to Japanese clients. Due to the time difference, late-night overtime was a regular part of her routine, and she frequently traveled to Japan to meet with customers and promote new products. Rie’s hard work and skills earned her high praise, and the company not only provided her with a work visa but also supported her in obtaining the permanent US residency status.
Over the span of 20 years, Rie dedicated herself to the company’s growth, consistently delivering exceptional results. Last year, she transitioned to a Japanese auto parts manufacturer, where her wealth of experience has proven invaluable in her current role as a manager in project planning and management.
Supporting Traditional Performing Arts
Beyond her engineering career, Rie has been deeply involved in promoting traditional performing arts. In 2010, she was personally asked by the president of the New Chicago Japanese American Association (NCJAA) to take over the organization’s leadership role. For the next eight years, she served as NCJAA president, passionately working to preserve and promote Japanese culture, music, and arts. Rie handled everything from administrative duties to event management, helping the organization continue its mission until 2018.
In addition to her role at NCJAA, Rie is a musician and member of the Chicago Koto Group, where she plays both the 13-stringed “o-koto” and the 17-stringed koto, known for its deep, rich bass tones. Over the years, she has performed at various cultural events, keeping the tradition of Japanese music alive.
Despite her busy career and dedication to supporting Japanese cultural activities, Rie’s passion for flamenco continued to grow. She diligently practiced, and in 2015, she opened her own flamenco school, Flamenco Cerezo (Cherry Blossom). By that time, she had been studying flamenco for 15 years. Initially, she taught only Japanese students, but when an American flamenco teacher moved away, Rie was asked to take over her students as well. Today, Flamenco Cerezo has around 30 students, making it the largest private flamenco school in Chicago.
“Flamenco is often called ‘Flamenco-do (道),’ a path that shares similar values with Japanese culture. It emphasizes respect for teachers and musicians, and a sense of humility, always striving to learn. This mindset resonates with Japanese people,” Rie explained. It’s no wonder Japan is the second-largest country for flamenco, after Spain.
For Rie, the time spent playing the koto or practicing flamenco is like meditation—moments of purification and healing. Perhaps it is this profound sense of peace that enables her to engage in such a wide array of activities with such passion and dedication.
Overcoming Hardships
After years of a hectic schedule pursuing various activities, Rie faced a shocking revelation—she was diagnosed with a condition that required surgery. Until then, she had always relied on her own strength and perseverance, no matter how exhausted she was. But this time, her body was signaling it needed help. Fortunately, the disease was caught early, and her treatment went smoothly, though the medication left her feeling depressed for years afterward. Despite her fatigue and mental strain, Rie never once closed her flamenco classes. What kept her going were her dedicated students.
Rie often says that practicing flamenco has always given her the energy to keep moving forward, regardless of her situation. “I want to give my students the same positive energy I receive from them,” she said. “That’s why I could always give my best. I may be their teacher, but in truth, my students nurture me.” Rie now takes extra care with her lifestyle—focusing on diet, practice, and training—to set a good example and inspire others to say, “I want to dance,” or, “I want to learn from that teacher.”
Teaching dance and learning dance are opposites; they’re completely different, according to Rie. Teachers of dance often face battles with loneliness. When learning dance, you’re surrounded by friends who support and encourage you. But as a teacher, much of the creative process is done in isolation. Rie spends countless hours choosing music, developing choreography suited to her students’ level, organizing classes, and planning presentations for her students. Sometimes, it takes over 100 iterations to create a mere five-minute dance. Behind every beautiful performance lies an immense amount of hard work, reminding us that for a teacher, mastering one’s emotions is key to producing great art.
The Charm of Flamenco and the Joy of Dance
Flamenco, a Spanish folk art, was recognized as a UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010, yet its history is surprisingly short—about 200 years. The origins of flamenco are still debated, but one prevalent theory suggests it began with nomads from India and Pakistan. Seeking warmer climates, they traveled to southern Spain, where they relieved their fatigue and loneliness by singing and dancing. Persecuted and isolated wherever they went, these people began expressing their grief, sorrow, and suffering through their music. Over time, flamenco evolved, absorbing influences from various cultures, including the Middle East.
Flamenco has many styles of expression, from joyful and celebratory to somber and sorrowful, each with unique movements, expressions, and embellishments.
At one outdoor event, Rie performed a solo on a simple stage—a board the size of a tatami mat. The moment she quietly took her place and began her performance, the atmosphere transformed. It was as if the energy radiating from Rie’s petite figure filled the space, conveying her life’s journey, her strength, and the pain and joy she had experienced. The audience was utterly captivated by the world she created, losing track of time as we were moved to our core.
“Flamenco is about creating space and art,” Rie explains, “and ‘duende’ is crucial.” “Duende” refers to a state of being so absorbed in the moment that it feels as though you’ve transcended your body, as if a divine presence has descended. The audience is transported into the mystical world created by the performer and shares in the euphoria. Interestingly, live flamenco performances don’t require extensive practice between dancer and musician. Instead, they rely on an unspoken understanding, or “A-Un,” allowing them to create a unique, once-in-a-lifetime moment that the audience can fully enjoy—one of the most magical aspects of flamenco.
Vision for the Future – Beyond Boundaries
As a flamenco dancer, teacher, and art director, Rie has steadily made a name for herself in the world of flamenco. Yet, for a long time, she felt limited by the fact that she was not Spanish. “I didn’t think a foreigner, let alone a Japanese person, could succeed at the highest levels,” Rie recalls. Her perspective shifted dramatically when she heard news that shook her to the core—a Japanese woman had won the flamenco dance division of a prestigious international competition in Spain. “I was convinced I could never compete with someone from Spain, the heart of flamenco. But I realized that I had been the one putting up that barrier,” she says. Inspired, Rie made a promise to herself: “First, I need to break down my own walls.” She resolved to compete in the next year’s competition, with a renewed sense of determination.
Another exciting challenge awaits her next year. A pianist from Georgia has organized a recital on the theme of “Spanish Composers,” and Rie will perform as the featured dancer. The recital will also include a castanet performance by the pianist and a Spanish guitarist. Together, they will tour Italy, Georgia, Spain, the United States, Japan, and beyond.
As her own activities expand globally, Rie also dreams of creating more opportunities for her students to perform. While larger, well-funded dance schools can easily host recitals, students from smaller private schools often miss out on theater experiences. Rie hopes to collaborate with other private dance instructors in Chicago to rent a theater and organize a large-scale recital or festival, believing this will bring joy and encouragement to her students. She is steadily working toward this goal.
Rie’s aspirations extend beyond the dance world. She envisions helping her hometown of Ashikaga City, once a thriving textile production center now facing decline. Rie hopes to create a space in Chicago where the artistry and craftsmanship of Ashikaga’s textile industry can be showcased, preserving these skills and supporting local factories. “I’m proud of the beauty these artisans create. It’s something uniquely Japanese that I want to share with the world,” she says.
“There’s so much I want to do,” Rie says with a sparkle in her eyes. When asked where she gets her energy, she credits her mother. “My mother will be 88 next year, and she’s still actively holding exhibitions of her ceramic art and even pursuing patents,” she proudly shares. Rie’s own drive comes from a deep desire to “make everyone smile,” a passion that fuels all her endeavors.
Career Advice
When asked what advice she would give to those starting their careers, Rie emphasizes the importance of overcoming the fear of failure. “Don’t be afraid to try new things, even if you might fail,” she advises. “At one point, I decided that I would never be ashamed of failing. Some people might laugh at me for competing in a flamenco competition, but if I let that stop me, I’d only be building walls around myself. Taking on challenges is always a positive thing—you have nothing to lose.”
Rie also stresses the importance of a mindset shift when things seem bleak. “When you’re feeling down, it’s okay to cry and let it out. But don’t dwell on negative feelings—it’s a waste of time. Instead, change your mindset and focus on what you can do in the present.” Her parting words of wisdom: “Never give up on your dreams. If you keep believing in them and working hard, they will eventually come true.”
Rie shared a personal story that illustrates her resilient spirit. “Several years ago, when I was working on a machine covered in oil, people around me felt sorry for me. I didn’t get along with my boss and had been sidelined at the company. At first, I was depressed, but then one day I realized—I work in the factory during the day and dance at night. I became the ‘Flashdance’ heroine I once admired, and suddenly I felt much better.”
Rie has continuously broken through her own barriers and bravely embraces new challenges in Japan, the U.S., and around the world. We look forward to supporting her journey as she continues to inspire others.
Rie’s website
https://www.flamencocerezo.org/
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