Passion Project Series: Eri Nishihara
A few months ago, I started dreaming up a way to do more photography in the realm of artistic portraiture. It lead to me planning out a new passion project that would push me past my comfort zone and into the lives of other impact-makers, specifically in the sports, art, and outdoor space. I wanted be intentional with my camera and celebrate people in my community who are following their dreams, pursuing their passions, and making a difference in their community, ultimately creating a ripple effect and impacting our world. Which lead me to my first subject…
Passion Project Subject One: Eri Nishihara of the Richmond Ballet.
I carefully researched local impact makers for my first project and knew that I wanted to find someone who was a talented dancer. While I am not a dancer (nor would I be skilled enough to be one, there’s a reason my parents didn’t name me Grace), the art/sport has always intrigued me and leaves me feeling incredibly inspired. Having heard wonderful things about the local ballet in Richmond, I started here. This is where I found the amazing Eri Nishihara.
Eri began dancing at the age of five in Hiroshima, Japan, where she grew up. She holds a BFA in Ballet Performance from the University of Utah, where she studied for two years before joining the second company at Richmond Ballet in 2014. She was promoted to the main company in 2017 and has since danced in many works (list here). Eri also serves as a piano accompanist and instructor at the school. Read Eri’s full bio here.
I am so thankful for Eri Nishihara and her willingness to join me on a Saturday afternoon in downtown Richmond as we snapped photos for several hours, capturing more poses and prompts than I planned. With very little instruction and guidance, Eri found her poses naturally and beautifully as we glided through the session. From jumps and static poses, her talent exuded from every pore.
Ballet dancing is well known for being graceful and elegant. But we can’t forget how strong, resilient, and powerful these dancers are. They are constantly building their strength and moving their bodies with intricate movements that work even the smallest muscles. When asking Eri about her routine and schedule during the year, she responded saying they have 10-12 hour days of nothing but practice, five days a week. In addition to practice and rehearsals, Eri also teaches dance classes and does community outreach events promoting the ballet and upcoming performances. This girl is on the move and making a HUGE impact not only on the local community, but artists all over the world.
Their passion for dance and creating art with their bodies is awe-inspiring.
Learn more about Eri and her upcoming performances with the Richmond Ballet, as well as the beautiful dance community surrounding the company in VA by visiting https://richmondballet.com/.
