Nobuya Nagahama: The Dancer & The Storyteller

Hi everyone!  My name is Nobuya and I am a dancer originally from Tokyo, Japan.  I have been active as a dancer and choreographer in and around the New York area since 2006.  For almost 18 years, I have trained in Hip Hop, Locking, Voguing, Popping, Breaking, and House, in addition to over 9 years in ballet, contemporary, and jazz.  In my dance career, I have been fortunate to appear in numerous dance showcases and TV shows including: So You Think You Can Dance, Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, Carnival Choreographer Ball, The Movement – A Theatrical Experience, and many showcases presented by The Love Show.

Being an artist means that your work is open to feedback, both the good and the bad.  Some of the good that I remember include the Season 5 audition for So You Think You Can Dance in 2008, when the judges commented that they loved my amusing dancing style and funny character.  Another highlight was a rave review from the New York Times that said “Nobuya is a scene stealer with his sinuous blend of popping and Voguing.” 

I have been grateful for the opportunities that I have had so far in my dance career including dancing with Dave Scott in the commercial, New Era.  For many years, I have performed the opening number at Carnival Choreographer’s Ball, the biggest street dance showcase in New York with the founders, Carey Ysais and Paulette Azizian.  Additionally, in Boom Stick, presented by The Love Show, I got to play the main character, Ash, and was happy to receive positive praise from the audience. 

In addition to dancing, I also teach and choreograph.  I teach Hip Hop to adults with various dance backgrounds (ranging from several years to first dance class EVER) at Peridance Capezio Center in New York and I teach kids at TMH Dance in New Jersey.  As a teacher and choreographer, one of my proudest moments has been when one of my students, Haruto Maeda, won the Grand Champion in Apollo Theater Amateur Night with one of my choreographies in 2015.

I hope that you enjoy my Encounter and if you would like to see more of my choreography, I encourage you to visit my YouTube channel.  Enjoy!