Biography: Akiko Kitamura is a leading Japanese contemporary dancer and choreographer known for blending ballet, street dance, and martial arts with multimedia arts. In 1994, she founded the renowned dance company Leni-Basso, gaining global acclaim for integrating high-speed choreography with architectural visual imagery. Since 2010, she has focused on intercultural projects across Asia and Europe—such as To Belong and Cross Transit—collaborating with traditional dancers and visual artists. She also serves as a university professor in Japan.