Yuriko Kajiya

Review: Houston Ballet's Summer and Smoke Takes My Breath Away with Its Gorgeous Storytelling
by Miranda Keating - Mar 14, 2023

As much as I admire the art of ballet, I have never seen a new, professional ballet performance, one that no one else has seen before. To say I was excited to be in the audience for the opening night of the world premiere of Houston Ballet's SUMMER AND SMOKE is an understatement, and it was everything that I hoped it to be!

Review: ROMEO AND JULIET STUNS AUDIENCES WITH ITS CLASSIC STORY AND BEAUTIFUL DESIGN at Houston Ballet
by Miranda Keating - Mar 2, 2023

ROMEO AND JULIET…the classic love story of star-crossed lovers. To say that our culture is saturated with this tale is a fact that no one can deny. However, knowing the talent of the Houston Ballet, I was intrigued to see this legend translated to dance. As I watched the production, I quickly realized that this story is simply perfect as a ballet!

Interview: Ballerina Kellen Hornbuckle Gives Us A Sneak Peek at THE NUTCRACKER at Houston Ballet
by Miranda Keating - Nov 23, 2022

Houston Ballet's season is putting on one of the most celebrated traditions of the holidays: THE NUTCRACKER. As a sneak peek at this year’s THE NUTCRACKER, we spoke with Kellen Hornbuckle, one of the company’s ballerinas. Through our conversation with her, we discussed what we can look forward to in this year’s THE NUTCRACKER and more!

Houston Ballet Brings THE NUTCRACKER Back To The Stage Through December 24
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 9, 2021

Next week, Houston Ballet brings one of the city's most cherished holiday productions, The Nutcracker, back to the stage at the Wortham Theater Center for the first time in two years. Audiences of all ages are invited to experience Clara's magical journey to the Kingdom of Sweets at one of 31 performances between November 26 and December 24, 2021. 

Houston Ballet Brings THE NUTCRACKER Back To The Stage
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 18, 2021

Next week, Houston Ballet brings one of the city's most cherished holiday productions, The Nutcracker, back to the stage at the Wortham Theater Center for the first time in two years. Audiences of all ages are invited to experience Clara's magical journey to the Kingdom of Sweets at one of 31 performances between November 26 and December 24, 2021. 

Houston Ballet Creates Virtual RAISING THE BARRE Event
by Stephi Wild - Sep 23, 2020

As part of the event, principal dancers Connor Walsh and Yuriko Kajiya, first soloist Oliver Halkowich and soloist Alyssa Springer were each partnered with a local celebrity chefs to create a four-course, one-night-only feast

VIDEO: Misty Copeland Leads SWANS FOR RELIEF Video to Raise Funds For Ballet Dancers
by Stephi Wild - May 7, 2020

American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer Misty Copeland and former colleague, 'Ballet's Golden Boy' Joseph Phillips, have joined forces with The Entertainment Industry Foundation, with seed funding provided by K Period Media, to launch Swans for Relief

Misty Copeland and Joseph Phillips Launch SWANS FOR RELIEF Initiative to Help Unemployed Ballet Dancers
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 6, 2020

American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer Misty Copeland and former colleague, 'Ballet's Golden Boy' Joseph Phillips, have joined forces with The Entertainment Industry Foundation, with seed funding provided by K Period Media, to launch Swans for Relief, a virtual ballet event to raise needed funds to help ballet dancers around the world.

BWW Review: THE NUTCRACKER at Houston Ballet
by Jenny Taylor Moodie - Dec 2, 2019

The Nutcracker is beloved for many reasons; the endless eye candy, the dynamic score, and the marriage of artistry and excellence. The element of tradition keeps us coming back for more. We yearn to feel connection, and to remember what it's like to wonder about magical things. Houston Ballet's multi-faceted Nutcracker is a delicious carnival of mystery and joy. Creative director Stanton Welch has built a production that serves the audience and leaves us completely fulfilled. Nothing sends you back to your childhood more quickly, with all things seemingly possible and your imagination offering an endless sweet escape.

Photo Flash: First Look at Houston Ballet's GISELLE
by Stephi Wild - Sep 11, 2019

This week, Houston Ballet nods to its beginning as it opens its 2019-2020 season with Giselle. In 1967, Giselle was the first full-length ballet performed by Houston Ballet Foundation, and Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch AM is fittingly bringing it back to kick off the 50th anniversary season.

VIDEO: SWAN LAKE Comes To Houston Ballet
by Alan Henry - Jul 5, 2018

One of the world's most iconic ballets returns to the stage right here in Houston as Houston Ballet presents Stanton Welch AM's Swan Lake. The much-anticipated final production of the 201718 season will wrap up Houston Ballet's Hometown Tour in venues across the city, with performances June 23-July 1 at Jones Hall, where Houston Ballet began performing in 1966 before moving to the Wortham Theater Center in 1987.

Photo Flash: SWAN LAKE Comes To Houston Ballet
by Alan Henry - Jul 5, 2018

One of the world's most iconic ballets returns to the stage right here in Houston as Houston Ballet presents Stanton Welch AM's Swan Lake. The much-anticipated final production of the 201718 season will wrap up Houston Ballet's Hometown Tour in venues across the city, with performances June 23-July 1 at Jones Hall, where Houston Ballet began performing in 1966 before moving to the Wortham Theater Center in 1987.

BWW Review: A Darker SWAN LAKE Glides Onto Houston's Jones Hall Stage
by Gary Laird - Jun 29, 2018

A DARKER SWAN LAKE GLIDES ONTO HOUSTON'S JONES HALL STAGE

BWW Review: Houston Ballet Brings The Artistry And Drama Of Mayerling To The Hobby Center For The Performing Arts
by Gary Laird - Sep 26, 2017

Houston has had its share of drama in the last few short weeks, and the city's downtown theater venues are reeling from the blow.

Review Roundup: MAYERLING at The Hobby Center
by Alan Henry - Sep 26, 2017

Houston Ballet is the first American ballet company to perform MAYERLING. instead of the previously scheduled six performances, the ballet ran for four from September 22-24.

BWW Review: The Houston Ballet's season opener MAYERLING Brings Drama to Life at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
by Gary Laird - Sep 24, 2017

The Houston Ballet's season opener MAYERLING Brings Drama to Life at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

Photo Flash: Houston Ballet Caps Season with Stanton Welch's LA BAYADERE
by BWW News Desk - Jun 9, 2017

From June 8 - 18, 2017, Houston Ballet caps its season with Stanton Welch's La Bayadere ("The Temple Dancer"), a historic classic set in royal India of the past. La Bayadere is a dramatic ballet of eternal love, mystery, fate, vengeance and justice, featuring spectacular scenery and costumes by the acclaimed English designer Peter Farmer.

BWW Preview: Principal Dancer Yuriko Kajiya On Playing Cio-Cio San in Houston Ballet's MADAME BUTTERFLY
by Katricia Lang - Sep 22, 2016

Houston Ballet principal dancer Yuriko Kajiya performs the part of Cio-Cio San in Houston Ballet's MADAME BUTTERFLY for the first time this Saturday, but she isn't daunted by playing the lead in one of Stanton Welch's signature pieces. She's excited.

BWW Review: AMERICAN INGENUITY Showcases Powerful Performances From Houston Ballet
by Jenny Taylor Moodie - Sep 9, 2016

BWW Review: AMERICAN INGENUITY Showcases Powerful Performances From Houston Ballet

BWW Interview: Designer Roberta Guidi di Bagno Talks Costumes and Set of Houston Ballet's New GISELLE
by Katricia Lang - Jun 15, 2016

Roberta Guidi di Bagno has worked with the Houston Ballet costume shop to successfully design costumes that both express GISELLE's weighty themes and drape weightlessly on the dancers.