Riine Sasaki, born on March 17, 2001, is a Japanese ballerina. She is 1.60 cm tall and weighs 44 kg. Sasaki began her ballet training in 2004 at the De-park Ballet School in Japan. In 2014, she received short-term overseas training at the Joffrey Academy of Dance in Chicago. In 2016, she participated in the Intensive Summer Program at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC, and subsequently trained at the Berlin State Ballet School from 2017 to 2019. Between 2022 and 2023, she studied at the Tajik National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, and in 2023, she continued her career at the Antalya State Opera and Ballet.
Throughout her professional career, Sasaki has performed many significant roles. In 2024, she played the 'Peasant Pas de Deux' in the ballet 'Giselle' and in 2023, she performed the role of 'Clara's Friend' in 'The Nutcracker.' At the Antalya State Opera and Ballet, she worked under the artistic direction of Ayşe Fidanlık and the choreography of Armağan Davran. She portrayed 'Swanilda' in the ballet 'Coppélia' and the 'Cigarette Girl Soloist' in 'Carmen Suite.' In 2022, she performed as 'Giselle's Friend, Willis' in 'Giselle' and as the 'Pear Soloist, Cactus Soloist' in the ballet 'Cipollino.' Additionally, she has performed in numerous other works such as 'Les Sylphides,' 'Le Corsaire,' and 'The Little Humpbacked Horse.'
Sasaki has won several awards in various competitions. In 2021, she reached the semi-finals in the Pas de Deux category at the World Ballet Art Competition Grand Prix, Japan and won first place at the Japan International Ballet Festival. In 2020, she secured first place in the Pas de Deux category at the Youth America Grand Prix. In 2017, she won second place in the high school division at the 93rd NAMUE Competition in Tokyo and was accepted into the San Francisco Ballet School Summer Program. In 2016, she won second place in the Youth A category at the 13th Youth Ballet Competition (Japan Grand Prix) and received an acceptance letter from the Russian National Novosibirsk Ballet School. She also earned the opportunity to attend the Intensive Summer Program at the Washington Ballet Academy. In 2015, she won first place in the 9th youth ballet competition in Tokyo and was accepted for a full year at the Goube European Centre. In 2014, she won first place and a scholarship at the Eva Evdokimova Memorial Educational Ballet Competition.
Sasaki's repertoire is extensive; she has performed significant roles such as Princess Florine, Aurora, Swanilda, Kitri, Bridesmaid, Giselle, Odalisque, Gulnara, Sugar Plum Fairy, La Esmeralda, and Le Corsaire. Additionally, she has received scholarships from prestigious schools including The Ailey School (2016), Western Australian Ballet School (2016), Singapore Ballet Academy (2016), and the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC (2015). Riine Sasaki is proficient in ballet, pas de deux, modern, contemporary, character, and jazz dance, and she speaks Japanese, German, English, and Russian.
