Meet the Team

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Galien Johnston Hattori

Lead teacher

Ballet/Pointe/Repertoire/Private Coaching

Galien Johnston Hattori received her formal training at Canada’s National Ballet School before beginning her professional career with the National Ballet of Canada and Hamburg Ballet, later dancing as a Principal Dancer with Alberta Ballet. During her performing career, she toured internationally and appeared on renowned stages including the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, the Palais Garnier in Paris, and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens. She also worked with some of ballet’s most respected teachers and choreographers, including Mavis Staines, John Neumeier, Jiří Kylián, Natalia Makarova, and Rudi van Dantzig.

Following her performing career, Galien began guest teaching throughout Alberta and Japan. From 2014–2016, she served as Guest Ballet Mistress with Alberta Ballet and directed the children’s casts for productions of The Nutcracker and Cinderella.

In 2016, Galien co-founded H/W School of Ballet alongside Yukichi Hattori and Tara Williamson. Along with teaching and directing the school, she continued working as a freelance performer with organizations including the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Alberta Ballet, and Japan’s Saito Kinen Festival.

Since relocating to St. John’s, Galien has worked as a guest teacher with Kittiwake Ballet and Dance Studio East. Passionate about mentoring young dancers, she is dedicated to sharing her experience and inspiring the next generation of artists.

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Yukichi Hattori

Teacher

Ballet/Contemporary/Repertoire/Private Coaching

Yukichi Hattori received his formal training at the School of Hamburg Ballet John Neumeier. Upon graduating, he joined the Hamburg Ballet, where he danced for seven years. Promoted to Soloist in 2004, Yukichi performed a wide range of roles within the company and also began developing his work as a choreographer. During this time, he was awarded the Public Prize at the Prix Dom Pérignon Choreographic Competition.

In 2006, Yukichi moved to Calgary to join Alberta Ballet as a Principal Dancer. During his ten years with the company, he performed leading roles in numerous productions and created several works, including Carmen, The Seven Deadly Sins, and Tubular Bells.

Following his retirement from Alberta Ballet in 2016, Yukichi co-founded H/W School of Ballet alongside Galien Johnston Hattori and Tara Williamson. He continued to choreograph extensively, collaborating with organizations including the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Theatre Calgary, and Calgary Opera.

In August 2024, he assumed the role of Artistic Director of Kittiwake Dance Theatre.