Meet Liana Kurogi | Performing artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Liana Kurogi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Liana, what role has risk played in your life or career?
For me, risk-taking means allowing myself to choose the path I truly want, even when it looks uncertain or impractical from the outside. Choosing a career in the arts was not the safest option, but I decided that rather than waiting for the “right” path to appear, I would commit to my own choice and dedicate myself to making it the right one.
This approach has shaped my entire journey. When I left Japan to study and perform in the United States, I didn’t speak English and I had no guarantee of success. The risk was not only about failing, but also about losing stability, comfort, and even a sense of belonging. Yet, by stepping forward, I discovered resilience, creativity, and opportunities that I would never have found otherwise.
I have come to believe that risk is not simply about taking chances, but about creating meaning from the choices you make. It has taught me that success is not a fixed destination but something you build by trusting yourself and turning uncertainty into possibility.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is shaped by the places I have lived and the cultures I carry within me. I grew up performing in Japan, where I learned discipline, precision, and respect for tradition. Later, I moved to the United States without speaking English, and that experience forced me to rediscover myself as an artist from the ground up. What sets me apart is that I bridge those two worlds: the rigor and delicacy of Japanese training with the openness and individuality I found in America.
I am most proud that I have never stopped creating, even when the path was difficult. It was not easy. There were moments when I felt invisible, limited by language, or overwhelmed by cultural differences. But each challenge became a tool: learning to listen deeply, to communicate with movement and music when words failed, and to trust that vulnerability itself can be a form of strength on stage.
Along the way I learned that art is not about perfection, but about connection. It is about being honest with your own story so that someone else can see themselves in it. What I want the world to know is that my work is not only about performance, but about building bridges between cultures, and showing that even when you feel out of place, art can turn that struggle into beauty.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit New York, I’d want to show them different sides of the city. Of course we’d see the bright lights that everyone dreams about, but I’d also take them to the hidden corners where real inspiration lives.
During the week we could go to small events and independent galleries, the kind of places where you suddenly find experimental performances or unexpected art installations. I think those little discoveries are the real heart of New York.
I’d definitely make cafés part of the plan too. For me, finding a new favorite drink is an important part of living here. Lately I’ve noticed so many different takes on matcha lattes, so I’d love to spend an afternoon café-hopping together, tasting each one and deciding which is the best.
By the end of the week I’d want them to feel that New York is more than just the landmarks. It’s also the music in a tiny bar, the art hidden on a side street, or even the surprise of a perfect drink. Those are the moments that make this city endlessly inspiring.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give my heartfelt thanks to the people who have supported and shaped my journey so far. To the teachers who believed in me before I fully believed in myself, thank you for seeing my potential and guiding me with such care. Your trust gave me the strength to keep going, even in the moments when I couldn’t see the road ahead.
To the friends who stood by me when I was unsure of my future, thank you for reminding me to follow the path I truly believe in. Your words gave me courage at times when I needed it the most. To my sister, whose love never wavers no matter what I do, thank you for being my constant. Your quiet presence reminds me every day that I’m loved just as I am. And to my parents, who always keep me in their thoughts, thank you for your steady support. Even when I’m far from home, I feel your warmth with me. I carry all of this love, belief, and encouragement with me wherever I go. It has shaped who I am and continues to give meaning to everything I create.

Website: https://www.backstage.com/u/liana-kurogi/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lianakurogi_/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@musicalliana?si=V7zF3z1MdghJsdSY