Yoko Yamashita
Yoko Yamashita is a native of Japan. She started acting at the age of 3 and appeared in Japanese television programs and films. Yoko graduated from Tamagawa University with a Bachelor of Art, majoring in Theater. After her graduation, she joined the Shiki Theatrical Company. She appeared in many Broadway musicals in Japan, such as The Lion King (Ensemble and Little Nala Cover), Cats (Sillabub Understudy), Phantom of the Opera (Christine Understudy), among others.
Yoko also completed a two-year young artist program at Nikikai Institute in Japan, which began her opera career in Japan. Her credits in Japan includes: Susanna and Barbarina (Le nozze di Figaro), Lolo (The Merry Widow), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Norina (Don Pasquale).
Since moving to NYC, she has worked with Regina Opera, Amore Opera, Bleeker Street Opera, New Rochelle Opera and New York Opera Forum. Her recent roles in US include: Frasquita (Carmen), Susanna and Barbarina (Le nozze di Figaro), Stella and Olympia (Les Contes D’Hoffmann), Una Conversa (Suor Angelica), Despina (Cosi Fan Tutte), Oberto (Alcina), Mlle. Jouvenot (Adriana Lecouvreur), Oscar (Un Ballo in Maschera) and Gretel (Hansel and Gretel).
Yoko is trained in Japanese Traditional Dance. She had performed in Japanese song concerts and dance performances at the United Nations, the New York Public Library, Alvin Ailey Theater, as well as schools and hospitals throughout New York. She has also worked with many opera companies as a Japanese consultant, Japanese movement coach, as well as a certified kimono dresser.
