The Ailey School

Rio Kikuchi is from Tokyo, Japan, where she began ballet training at the age of 3. She has trained at Studio Benus in ballet, pointe, tap and jazz. She has also trained privately with Luis Villanueva in ballet and pointe. In 2017, Rio moved to New York City to attend the Scholarship Program at The Ailey School where she had the opportunity to work with Darshan Singh Bhuller, Benjamin Briones, and Ari Mayzic. In 2018, she performed at New York City Center with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Alvin Ailey's ballet "Memoria", under the direction of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Rehearsal Director, Ronni Favors.

Rio has attended Summer Intensives at Kirov Academy of Ballet of Washington DC, and on scholarship at Alonzo King Lines Ballet Summer Program. In 2019, she Joined Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company and performed at New York Live Arts and NJPAC.