Born: Hyogo, Japan, 2004
Education: Royal Conservatoire The Hague
Experience: De Dutch Don’t Dance Division (2023) 

From childhood passion to professional career
Mao Ueda’s dance journey began at the age of four when her mother took her to a local ballet school in Japan. From an early age, she enjoyed performing on stage, and it quickly became her dream to become a professional dancer. At 17, Mao was accepted into the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, where she danced with the ensemble for a year. At 18, she took the next step in her career by joining De Dutch Don’t Dance Division as an intern, marking the beginning of her professional life as a dancer. 

Dance as boundless expression
For Mao, dance is a medium of limitless emotional expression, where no language barriers exist. Performing on stage fills her with a range of emotions—from nerves to a deep sense of fulfillment—and these feelings are an essential part of her life as a dancer. 

On the path to Introdans
What also draws Mao to Introdans is the company’s touring nature. Traveling to perform allows her to share dance with diverse audiences and inspire people around the world with her passion and dedication.