Ako KONDO

Born in Nagoya, Japan, Ako Kondo completed her early ballet training in her homeland before winning a coveted dance scholarship and moving to Melbourne, Australia, at the age of 16. Blossoming into an accomplished performer, she became the Australian Ballet’s first Japanese principal artist, garnering recognition in the shape of Helpmann and Australian Dance awards, as well as a nomination for the Prix Benois de la Danse – the Oscar of the ballet world. Ako shared her story with us of life in Melbourne and her experience of how creativity can function as a means to overcome the barriers between global cultures.