Kanji Segawa

Kanji Segawa was a dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater under the direction of Robert Battle from 2011–2023 and became Assistant Rehearsal Director in 2024. Originally from Kanagawa, Japan, he began his dance training with his mother Erika Akoh, studying ballet with Kan Horiuchi and Ju Horiuchi in Tokyo. Segawa was awarded the Japanese Government Artist Fellowship in 1997 to train at The Ailey School. A former member of Ailey II and Battleworks, he danced extensively for Mark Morris and performed as a principal dancer in John Adams’ Nixon in China at The Metropolitan Opera. Since 1999, Segawa has been Creative Associate for Jessica Lang, assisting with her creations for companies worldwide including American Ballet Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, The Royal Ballet, and The National Ballet of Japan, as well as at The Royal Ballet School and the Partner School Choreographic Project at Prix de Lausanne 2025. With Lang, Segawa co-choreographed the world premiere production of Turandot for The Washington National Opera, directed by Francesca Zambello. He has assisted Robert Battle in staging his works at institutions including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, and The Royal Ballet School. Segawa was a nominee for Dance Europe magazine’s Dancer of the Year 2024 for his performances with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.