Born: 2 February 1920, United States
Died: 8 March 2022
Country most active: United States
Also known as: Yuriko Amemiya
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Yuriko Kikuchi (born February 2, 1920, San Jose, Calif.), known to audiences by her stage name Yuriko, is an American dancer and choreographer. She is best known for her work with the Martha Graham Dance Company. Yuriko began her dance training with Konami Ishii in Tokyo, and danced with the Konami Ishii Dance Company from 1930 to 1937. After returning to the United States in 1937 she joined Dorothy Lyndall’s Junior Dance Company in Los Angeles. Yuriko joined the Martha Graham Dance Company in 1944 and continued with the company for the next 50 years. She danced in the first production of Graham’s masterpiece, Clytemnestra, as well as in Appalachian Spring, Cave of the Heart, and Dark Meadow. Yuriko has also reconstructed a number of Graham’s dances. In addition to her work in modern dance, Yuriko performed on Broadway in the original productions of The King and I (1951-1954) and Flower Drum Song (1958-1960). She has also danced and acted on television and in motion pictures. In 1967 Yuriko formed her own modern dance company, which remained active until 1973. Yuriko’s daughter Susan Kikuchi was also trained in the Graham technique. Susan Kikuchi was a member of the Martha Graham Dance Company (MGDC) and served as Director of the Graham Ensemble and School, and Artistic Program Manager of MGDC. She has re-staged many Graham works for the MGDC, Joffrey Ballet, Boston Conservatory and other companies.