Principal Dancer
A Japanese principal dancer of The Royal Ballet whose technical mastery and interpretive depth have established her as one of the most celebrated classical ballerinas of her generation.
Defining moments and milestones
Beginning ballet at age three in Osaka, Fumi Kaneko rose through rigorous classical training to become a gold medalist at the Varna International Ballet Competition (2008) before joining The Royal Ballet in 2011. Over the past thirteen years, she has ascended to Principal Dancer, mastering the company's canonical roles—from Odette/Odile and Juliet to Princess Aurora—while establishing herself as a vital interpreter of contemporary works by choreographers including Wayne McGregor and Jessica Lang. Her dual Critics' Circle National Dance Awards (2023, 2024) confirm her position as one of the most celebrated classical ballerinas of her generation.
Promoted to Principal Dancer with The Royal Ballet (May 2021); won Critics' Circle National Dance Award for Best Female Dancer (2023 and 2024)
Jinushi Kaoru Ballet School, Osaka, Japan
Recordings featuring Fumi Kaneko in the Society index
Additional recordings will appear here as the catalog expands.