Sumi Ichikawa, a 22-year-old BalletMet Company Member from Columbus, has been selected for Dance Magazine‘s annual “25 to Watch” list for 2026, which spotlights dancers, choreographers, and companies the publication identifies as on the rise.

Ichikawa, now in her third season with BalletMet, began dancing at age six and received her formal training at the BalletMet Academy in Columbus. She progressed through the company’s trainee program before joining the main company in 2023. “I hope that when the audiences see me dance, time freezes for them,” Ichikawa said in a statement. “It’s how I feel when dancing.”

The recognition comes as BalletMet continues to develop homegrown talent through its academy, which ranks among the largest studio programs affiliated with a professional ballet company in the United States. The academy offers hundreds of classes annually for students ranging in age from 3 to 84.

The Dance Magazine “25 to Watch” feature, published annually since 1999, is widely regarded as an early indicator of emerging careers in professional dance. Past honorees have gone on to lead major companies and choreographic careers nationally and internationally. Ichikawa is the latest Columbus-area artist to earn a place on the list.

Source: 614NOW