Opera Book Club

Momo Suzuki was born in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan and emigrated to the United States in 1983. Soon after arriving, she began her career as a solo Japanese traditional dancer, performing with Louis Johnson (choreographer The Wiz) at the Henry Street Settlement, at the Victoria Theater with the Yass Hakoshima Mime Company, and in Riyo’s 10th Music Salon at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall.

In 1992, Ms. Suzuki founded the Japanese Folk Dance Institute of NY (JFDINY), to promote and preserve the traditional folk dances of Japan. Ms. Suzuki and her company have performed at venues and events such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Disney’s Epcot Center, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Using her extensive knowledge and experience in the traditional performing arts, she has served as a technical advisor and choreographer to both American and Japanese productions. Most notably, she worked with Madonna, performing and choreographing for her music video “Nothing Really Matters,” as well as collaborating with C. Eule Dance on their 2008 staging of “The Crane Wife,” a contemporary ballet adaptation of a traditional Japanese folk tale. Momo also worked closely with Olympic ice dancers Cathy and Chris Reed, teaching them traditional movement and choreographing their programs for the 2012 and 2016 Winter Olympics. Ms. Suzuki also regularly advises on productions of Madame Butterfly, working with the Sarasota Opera Company, Portland Opera, as well as New York’s Heartbeat Opera. Additional choreography and advisory credits include “New York Ondo,” Pokemon’s 10th Anniversary Festival in New York City, and Lionel Hampton’s Jazz Festival.