Shoji Yamasaki is a transdisciplinary artist specializing in performance art, choreography, immersive experiences, + artists' books.
SHOJI YAMASAKI
310.525.7556
Los Angeles, CA
EDUCATION
2021-2023 California Institute of the Arts: M.F.A. in Choreography
CalArts Grad Scholarship Recipient
2009-2011 University of California, Los Angeles: B.A. in World Arts and Cultures (Dance Concentration)
Minor in Spanish
2007-2009 El Camino College: A.A. in Dance
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2014-Present North Torrance High School:
(Hiatus 2020-2023) Guest Choreographer for Advanced + Intermediate Dance Teams, Dance
Photographer, Dance Coach
2024 Heidi Duckler Dance
M.A.P. Live! Teaching Artist - Storytelling
2023 Conservatorio de Danza México
Summer Camp: Open Jazz
2021-2023 California Institute of the Arts:
Choreography / Performance Lab: Facilitator
Teacher’s Assistant for Tuixen Benet, Dance Film Projects
Institute Dance Class: Bunny Jazz
Institute Dance Class: Jazz
2014-2020 El Camino College:
Dance Department Program Aid
Program Review Contributor (SLOs/PLOs)
Dance Theatre Department Photographer
2011 Family Dance Jam:
Facilitator
2017 ACDA Baja Conference Committee Member:
Website/Event Base App Coordinator, Facebook Page, Regonline
2012-2014 Beach Cities Dance Studio:
Dance Instructor for Lyrical/Contemporary + Jazz 4-5, Receptionist
CHOREOGRAPHY
2024 Terrestrial Invasion (Winter Concert: Solace / Joint Show)
North Torrance High School Intermediate Dance Team
James Armstrong Theater, Torrance, California, U.S.
North High School Performing Arts Center
Torrance, California, U.S.
2023 LITTERED MVMNTS @ CalArts
CalArts Expo Installation
Main Gallery, California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, California, U.S.
2023 Welcome Home (Thesis) [1 hour 30 min.]
Creative Director / Playwright / Choreographer / Sets / Props
Thesis Committee: Ariel Osterweis (Chair), Rosanna Gamson, Rosanna Tavarez, Matt Lemp, Peter Sellars (Guest), Julie Tolentino (Guest).
California Institute of the Arts Campus
Valencia, California, U.S.
2022 Zone of Exclusion (Z.o.E.)
The Walt Disney Modular Theater Bathroom
Valencia, California, U.S.
Junior High Los Angeles Bathroom
Glendale, California, U.S.
Adam Ross Studio’s Bathroom
Echo Park, California, U.S.
2021 The Haunt (Open House Concert) [12 min.]
The Sharon Lund Disney Theater, California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, California, U.S.
2020 Balancing Act (Winter Concert: Synchronicity / Joint Show)
North Torrance High School Intermediate Dance Team
North High School Performing Arts Center, Torrance, California, U.S.
2019 liminal (Spring Concert: Meraki)
North Torrance High School Advanced Dance Team
James Armstrong Theater, Torrance, California, U.S.
2019 Lagomorphs [12 min.]
Marsee Auditorium, El Camino College
Torrance, California, U.S.
2019 Saturday Night at Studio 54 (Winter Concert: Ebb & Flow / Joint Show)
North Torrance High School Intermediate Dance Team
James Armstrong Theater, Torrance, California, U.S.
2018 A Voicemail Greeting from Above (Spring Concert: Soul Purpose)
North Torrance High School Advanced Dance Team
James Armstrong Theater, Torrance, California, U.S.
You in My Heart (Spring Concert: Soul Purpose)
North Torrance High School Intermediate Dance Team
James Armstrong Theater, Torrance, California, U.S.
2017 Rage of the Rabbits (Spring Concert: Freedom of Expression)
North Torrance High School Advanced Dance Team
James Armstrong Theater, Torrance, California, U.S.
2016 TEAR (Spring Concert: The Ripple Effect)
North Torrance High School Advanced Dance Team
James Armstrong Theater, Torrance, California, U.S.
2015 Increments (Artist-in-Residence)
Campus Theater, El Camino College
Torrance, California, U.S.
2015 Want (Artist-in-Residence)
Campus Theater, El Camino College
Torrance, California, U.S.
2015 Mindworx Inc. (Winter Concert: High Voltage)
North Torrance High School Advanced Dance Team
James Armstrong Theater, Torrance, California, U.S.
2014 Hold My Hand (Spring Concert: In the Moment)
North Torrance High School Advanced Dance Team
James Armstrong Theater, Torrance, California, U.S.
2014 Illumination
(2012) What Goes ‘Bump” in the Night Choreographer Showcase
Live Arts LA,
High Voltage
Electric Lodge, Venice, California, U.S.
2013 Rough Sketches IA
Pieter Space, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
2014 Illuminate Me
Electric Lodge
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
COLLABORATION
2023 Peter Savic and Mimi Haddon
FILMS
2023 Come Dance with Me!
Conservatorio de Danza México
Tijuana, Mexico
2023 jet-lagged
2023 Mobile Dance Film Festival
Gibney Dance
New York, New York, U.S.
2023 LITTERED MVMNTS
Veinte Once: Festival de Danza
Conservatorio de Danza México
Tijuana, Mexico
2020 Touch
Jerry Moss Plaza at the Music Center
A Quiet Scene: L.A. Film Festival / Public Installation: March 20-April 18
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
2020 Hanging by an Elastic
Jerry Moss Plaza at the Music Center
A Quiet Scene: L.A. Film Festival / Public Installation: March 20-April 18
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DANCER/PERFORMER
2023 Chanel 2023 Métiers D’art Replica Show in Tokyo
Director/Choreographer: Dimitri Chamblas
Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan.
2023 Gardening the Ruins
Artist/Curator: Zhen Zhen Zhong
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, California, U.S.
2022 Slow Show at MOCA
Director: Dimitri Chamblas
Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
2022-2023 Capital Rhythm (VR Chat)
World Building: Herry Kim
California Institute of the Arts (A402)
Valencia, California, U.S.
Helen J Gallery
Los Angeles, California, US
Meatball and Meshed Potatoes (Virtual Exhibition)
Gangnam, Korea
2022 Noise Jam (soundpedro2022)
Director: Kensaku Shinohara
Angels Gate Cultural Center, San Pedro, California, U.S.
2017 Enter Lenin!
Liz Hoefner Adamis/Immediate Action Dance
Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica, California U.S.A.
2016 5+1 for 60 oh! Celebrate Sixty with Carol McDowell
Carol McDowell
Pieter Pasd, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
2015 ECC Guest Artist Show Spring 2015
Merge Dance Theatre
El Camino College Marsee Auditorium, Torrance, California, U.S.
2014 A Poet, Some Musicians and 4 Dancers Walk Into a Coffeehouse…
Keith Glassman Dance & Performance
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Matthew Rushing
Nick Cave (Soundsuits)
SKIT
2023 SHITx Talks (Talent Show) [6 min. 30 sec.]
Playwright / Costume / Props
The REEF (AC Smith’s 2023 CalArts REEF Residency: Hungry Bottom)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
REDCAT (Roy Edna Disney/CalArts Theater)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
2023 Amor jodido (Talent Show) [5 min.]
In collaboration with Dulce Escobedo Muñoz
REDCAT (Roy Edna Disney/CalArts Theater)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DIRECTOR
2024 We Are Destroying Ourselves: A Dance Wrecking
Vol. 1 (Land) Wrecker
Odyssey Theater
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
2023 Escape Room (NDA)
Director / Playwright / Dramaturg
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
2023 Ebb & Flow @TheCreek
Creative Director
The Legendary Story of the Ballona Creek
Heidi Duckler Dance
JURY
2024 Mobile Dance Film Festival
ARTISTS’ BOOKS
The Legendary Story of the Ballona Creek. A book made from plastic trash as part of Heidi Duckler Dance’s Dance Festival, Ebb & Flow @TheCreek. 2023.
How To Eat Humans for Dummies. A supplemental spin-off art book created from thesis project, Welcome Home. 2023. Donated to CalArts Library Special Collections.
How to Find Peace. 2023. Donated to CalArts Library Special Collections.
18 Ways to Cook an Egg. 2023. Donated to CalArts Library Special Collections.
PUBLICATIONS
Features in Other Publications
Furstinger, Nancy, and Sheryl Pipe. ASPCA Kids: Kids Making a Difference for Animals. Wiley, 2009.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
2007-2022 Rabbit Rescue (Abled and disabled rabbits)
LANGUAGES:
English (Native)
Japanese (Native)
Spanish (Conversational)
CERTIFICATIONS:
Urasenke Foundation: Accreditation Upper-Level Student (3rd Degree Instructor)
裏千家 講師
Japanese Middle School (Tozai Gakuenn) Graduate