Makiko Kobayashi on Empowering Young Dancers, Building a Career Across Cultures, and Creating Her Own Path in Atlanta

For Makiko Kobayashi, success is measured not only by performances and accolades, but by the growth and confidence she helps cultivate in her students. From guiding young dancers through their first major competition to rebuilding her career after moving from Japan to Atlanta, Makiko’s journey is defined by resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous growth. As she balances teaching and performing, she remains focused on inspiring the next generation, embracing new creative opportunities, and using dance as a bridge that connects cultures, communities, and people across borders.

Maki, your students recently placed 4th in a major competition. What did that experience mean to you as an instructor and teacher?
Since this was my students’ first time participating in a competition, I told them that regardless of the results, I wanted them to give their absolute best and, most importantly, enjoy performing on stage. As an instructor, the journey of teaching never truly ends. However, seeing my students work hard and push themselves is a tremendous source of motivation for me. This experience was not only meaningful for their growth, but it was also incredibly encouraging for me personally.

Competitions like Revolution Dance Competition can have a significant impact on the development of young dancers. What kind of growth did you see in your students throughout this process?
I also started participating in dance competitions when I was in elementary school. At the time, I was guided by my dance studio instructor, and I was fortunate enough to achieve results such as second-place and third-place finishes. Looking back, I remember how exciting it was simply to challenge myself by entering competitions. Winning awards gave me confidence, but the experience itself was equally rewarding. Because of that, I wanted my students to experience both the joy of taking on a challenge and the confidence that comes from growth and achievement. As they continued preparing and pushing themselves, I began to see more confidence emerge in each dancer’s movements. I often tell my students that “consistency is strength,” and this experience reminded me of the importance of that lesson as well.

You also appeared in a music video for Domani. How did that opportunity come about, and what was the experience like on set?
The opportunity came through someone I knew who introduced me to the project. Since Domani is an artist from Atlanta, the atmosphere on set felt very authentic and inspiring. The entire production had great energy, and it was an incredibly cool environment to be a part of. It was both a valuable and motivating experience that I’m very grateful for.

As someone who is still exploring Atlanta’s culture, what aspects of the city’s dance and creative scene inspire you the most?
I think Atlanta’s culture can be viewed from many different perspectives. As someone who came here from Japan, I naturally see Atlanta through my own lens, while people who grew up here have their own unique perspective.

What inspires me most is the confidence people have in representing their communities and culture. Compared to Japan, people here tend to express themselves more openly and unapologetically. There’s a boldness and confidence that I find very inspiring, and it’s an energy I feel I need in my own life.

To be honest, my personal dance style is not particularly Atlanta-oriented. My foundation is hip-hop, but it also includes elements of old-school styles, waacking, and house dance. During my student years, I was trained to become versatile across many dance genres, so I’m comfortable in a variety of styles. That said, I still have areas where I want to improve.

Even so, I’m deeply drawn to Atlanta’s unique atmosphere and culture. I hope to continue drawing inspiration from that culture and incorporating it into my own artistic expression.

How has balancing teaching and performing influenced your growth as a dancer?
I only began seriously balancing both teaching and performing in 2026, so it has been about 6 months so far.

When I moved from Japan to Atlanta in 2021, I essentially started over from scratch. My career, work opportunities, network, training environment, and even my daily life all had to be rebuilt. Of course, none of those things happen overnight. Looking back, the past 5 years have gone by quickly, but they have also been some of the most intense and transformative years of my life.

I still don’t know what the “right” path is. However, I believe that the right path is not something that is given to you—it is something you create for yourself.

For a long time, teaching was my primary focus. Since 2026, balancing teaching and performing has required a completely different mindset, greater physical endurance, and much more patience and mental resilience than before.

Throughout my years as a dancer, I’ve learned that what you want to do and what you are naturally suited for are not always the same thing. Because of that, I want to spend this chapter of my life pursuing opportunities without regrets and continuing to challenge myself.

Most importantly, I want to be the kind of teacher my students are proud to talk about—the kind of teacher they can proudly say, “That’s my instructor.”

As a Japanese dancer working in Atlanta, I hope to continue challenging myself while making a positive impact on my students and the community around me. I also aspire to serve as a bridge between Japan and the United States, using dance to inspire, encourage, and empower people from all walks of life.