Born in Tokyo, Japan, Yuko Katsumi began her ballet training in Berlin, West Germany. She continued training in Japan and Zimbabwe where she received Honors in Advanced Cecchetti Examination, after which she went to London and graduated from the Royal Ballet School.
She danced professionally with Matsuyama Ballet in Tokyo, Tampa Ballet and Colorado Ballet where she was a Principal Dancer. Her repertoire included leading roles in full length Giselle, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker, Don Quixote, La Bayadère, Raymonda, Cinderella, and Romeo and Juliet and works by various choreographers.
Since retiring from her professional dancing career Ms. Katsumi has developed into a well-respected teacher and coach of ballet. In 2011 Ms. Katsumi joined the faculty of San Francisco Ballet School where she taught all levels. She has also taught extensively at Marin Ballet, Berkeley Ballet Theater, Smuin Ballet, City Ballet in SF and Contra Costa Ballet.
She has been invited to be a judge at Taiwan Grand Prix, California Dance Classics, Tokyo City Ballet competition in Japan and as a Juror for the RAD Solo Seal Exam in SF. The Harid Conservatory has invited Ms. Katsumi to teach the Tour Audition classes in SF. Ms. Katsumi also teaches extensively nationally and internationally.
From 2020-2021 she was a faculty member at Kobe University, Japan teaching the Classical Ballet Division.
Currently she is freelancing teaching, coaching, and setting Ballets at various schools.
