Shoko Tamai's choreography embodies a raw and natural expression that transcends dance forms.

Deconstructing movement and tapping into a shared ancestral dance vocabulary, she reveals a universal language that connects us all.

Her work is a journey to access the profound emotions and experiences that often remain unexplored, inviting audiences into a heart-to-heart conversation with themselves and the world around them.

Her work is a call for authenticity, empowerment, femininity, and vulnerability, creating a space for emotional exploration and connection that comes from inside.

She has performed at venues such as London’s Royal Opera House, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, The Theatre Royal in Glasgow, Lincoln Center, and Jacob’s Pillow, among others. She was invited to present her choreography at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, has developed immersive theater experiences in a cave in Mexico, and produced shows in collaboration with traditional Japanese musicians and calligraphers in Tokyo.

Shoko has competed internationally, receiving the Solo Seal award from the Royal Academy of Dance in London, a Gold Medal in the New York Ballet Competition, and a Merit Award at Premio Capri Danza International. She emerged as Finalist in The World Ballet Competition, and was nominated for a New York Innovative Theater Award for Outstanding Choreography for her work in “The Tempest”, directed by Owen Thompson.

Since she was two years old Shoko has studied contemporary dance and choreography with Toru Shimazaki, as well as various dance styles, including ballet, modern, traditional Japanese and Chinese dance, jazz, African, Middle Eastern and Indian dance. Her period of study with Jamie H.J. Guan, martial arts trainer for the Beijing Opera (Wushu), originally ignited in her a burning passion for martial arts, leading her to continue studying with teachers like Tony Ortiz (Kali/Eskrima) and Zen Takai (Samurai/Ninja).

Shoko has studied at the Central School of Ballet, The American Academy of Ballet, The Paris Opera, and The Madrid Ballet School. She has performed with many dance companies, including Dance Theater of Harlem, Tokyo Ballet, and Cirque du Soleil.