Associate Professor of Modern Dance
Nippon University
Tokyo, Japan

Director and Founder
The Emi Hatano Creative Modern Dance Studio & Company
Tokyo, Japan

Ms. Hatano studied theater arts (BA) and philosophy (MA) at Nippon University, and prior to founding her own company, was a central figure in the Masami Kuni Company, the leading modern dance group in postwar Japan.

Her solo debut took place in 1957, in her own creation, Spring of the Asuka Period. Reviewers were astounded, and wrote critiques starting with the words,"At last, we have our first, true native-born modern dancer." Her New York debut was in 1974, and in subsequent years, she has performed throughout North America and Europe.