There's no need to rush. Develop your own strengths and weaknesses.
College of Performing and Visual Arts Graduates Dancer and actor. Choreographer and director. Model. Stepping hands.
Kanda Hatsune Farrell
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Masks are unnecessary in expression.
My formative experiences as an artist date back to my childhood. In Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, my hometown, there was a children's musical program in which elementary, middle, and high school students participated. We worked with professional directors, composers, and orchestras to create the stage production, which was then performed in a large hall with over 2,000 seats. I participated in a total of three times, starting when I was in elementary school, and it was through this experience that I discovered the joy of self-expression.
I have mixed roots, with an American father and a Japanese mother. I was often seen as "different" by those around me, and I felt uncomfortable communicating with others. However, in the realm of expression, everyone is treated equally. If your performance is good, you are praised; if it's bad, you are ridiculed. I felt comfortable being able to be myself without having to wear a mask, and I wanted to learn more about expression.
Starting with "Unidentified Life Forms"
I enrolled in J. F. Oberlin University because the words of Professor Kuniko Kisanuki at the open campus left a strong impression. "Many people gather at this university, but among them are some unidentified life forms. That's perfectly fine," he said. Although I had experience acting in 'children's musicals,' I didn't know exactly what I should do, but they supported me, saying, 'Anyone can take on any challenge.'
After entering university, it was a continuous learning experience. There were times when I thought, "I can never compete with this person." However, since it was my first time doing contemporary dance, instead of feeling anxious, I spent my days working hard, determined to absorb everything.
Currently, I work not only as a dancer, but also as an actor, choreographer, director, model, and dancer. This year, I was able to win the Grand Prix at the "Kanagawa Performing Arts Award 2024 Final," and I am gradually expanding the scope of my activities. What I always keep in mind is to find out what I can do. Once I choose a starting point, I hone my skills to the fullest. Even if I am inferior to others in terms of talent and ability, I strive to create my own "weapon," such as "I am second to none when it comes to the beauty of my fingertips."
Participated as choreographer and dancer in the "Night on the Galactic Railroad" musical recitation play.
The pursuit of the Way is already the Way itself.
Through my artistic expression, I aim to promote peace and create a society where people can understand each other. I want to express my thoughts on various issues occurring both domestically and internationally, and expand the circle of art to a wide range of generations.
There's a quote by Kenji Miyazawa that says, "The pursuit of the Way is already the Way itself." It means that if you keep searching for the path that must exist somewhere, you will surely find it right at your feet. We don't know what the future holds, but fortunately, I have companions who share my mission. I hope to steadily build upon what I need to do now and find my own way of expression.
Winner of the Grand Prix at the Kanagawa Performing Arts Awards 2024!
At the Kanagawa Performing Arts Award 2024, hosted by Kanagawa Prefecture in March 2024, Kanda's work "Zankusai ~Kikyuu Nocturne Ver.~" won the Grand Prix. This work, starting with the origins of her father who passed away at the end of last year, questions the folly of the tragedy currently unfolding between Israel and Palestine.
"At the moment when personal history and world history intersect, we have the power to forge the future. Now is the time to unleash that power in order to find hope. Instead of closing our eyes to escape from reality, we must open our eyes and face reality. Hope should be visible beyond that. Thus began my journey to find hope, starting with the premiere last July." The story, which begins with these words from Kanda, strongly desires peace and raises questions about the world today, in response to the folly of repeated wars and a world that seems to be changing rapidly but remains unchanged. "Even if it cannot be achieved in this generation, I do not want to give up on the idea that the long night will end and the sun will rise. Art may not be directly related to daily life, but it is indispensable for enriching life, for joining hands, and for living. However, I can say this much: it may be an act that can only be done in a land of peace. Because dance is a wish."
After receiving the award, Kanda said, "I don't want this to become a voice that is silenced. Just because something isn't happening 'on this side' doesn't mean it's not happening 'on the other side.' Each and every one of us has something we can do to look at the world and hope. If I could deliver the message that we should believe in our power and not give up hope as a people, then as an 'artist,' whether or not I win an award is irrelevant. My top priority was that I delivered the message, and that the work would continue to live on beyond the theater. I also think I wanted to fulfill a promise I made to my father, who passed away before the performance, as 'one of his children.'" She then spoke of her enthusiasm for her first collaborative creation with choreographer and dancer Asakawa Kanae, who will be her partner in March 2025, through "Yokai." "At the core of our activities is a 'prayer for peace,' and we want to connect people through art, build an inclusive society through contemporary dance where everyone respects and supports each other's personality and individuality, and mutually recognizes the diverse ways in which people exist."
Please keep asking yourself what kind of person you are or what you want to be. I participated as choreographer and dancer in the group reading musical drama "Galaxy Railroad Night," organized by J. F. Oberlin University, and every year I met new J. F. Oberlin University students through creative work and listened to their real voices of worries and anxieties about continuing their activities. Especially when I hear the heartbroken cries of students struggling with the cancellation of performances during the COVID-19 pandemic, I have struggled with how to support them. Based on my own experience in 2023, I have gained one more thing to say. It means you have to find a reason to keep fighting, to keep living, no matter what. No matter how much you are crushed by external factors, your own individuality, abilities, and mission do not disappear, nor do they disappear—it's about whether you can remember them and believe in yourself. They say that a life with difficulties is more 'appreciated' than a 'safe' one. Especially for artists, every event can serve as food for self-growth. J. F. Oberlin University Here, you can create endless challenges for self-exploration, training, and estimation through your own choices. But waiting won't bring you anything. Both the ascents and descents of the mountain pass are fun, and you can set your highest points daily and help your friends improve together! As long as you don't stray from 'humanity,' failure can still be considered a minor injury for university students. If we humans had been afraid of getting hurt, we wouldn't have been able to even stand on a bike, let alone ride a bike. Let's keep getting hurt one after another!
Profile Graduated from College of Performing and Visual Arts Theater Major in 2017. He is active in a wide range of roles as a dancer, actor, choreographer, director, model, and butoh performer. She participated as a choreographer and dancer in the annual 'Group Reading Musical Drama: Night on the Galactic Railroad' held at Performing Arts even after graduation. Won the Grand Prix at the 'Kanagawa Performing Arts Award 2024 Final' held in 2024. Winner of the Encouragement Award at the Yokohama Dance Collection 2019 Competition II. Winner of the Kanagawa Performing Arts Award 2024 Grand Prix. Winner of the Encouragement Award at the Yokohama Dance Collection 2025 Competition I.
