Arika Yamada was born in Detroit, Michigan, USA in 1987 to her parents who moved to Detroit from Japan in the mid 80’s. She received her early training from The Joffrey Ballet School, Nutmeg Conservatory, and EDGE Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles. In her teens, she was represented by Bloc Agency and appeared in a European Coca-Cola Commercial. Her mentor and coach Elena Tchernichova privately trained her in NY and brought her to St. Petersburg Russia at the age of 15 where she was invited to train at The Vaganova School.

In 2009 Arika received her BFA from The Juilliard School under the directorship of Lawrence Rhodes. Upon graduation, she joined Gallim Dance in NY and originated roles in multiple works with Andrea Miller such as ‘Wonderland’ which she has received recognition for in The New York Times. In 2012 she also performed with Company XIV, a 28-show run at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In 2013 Arika crossed the pond to Holland to join Spenser Theberge at Korzo Theater (Den Haag) where he created ‘I Saw, She Saw’ which they performed as a part of the production ’ Here We Live and Now.’

Arika was invited to audition for GöteborgsOperan Danskompani which she joined during season 2013/2014 under Adolphe Binder, and in the present with director, Katrin Hall. In Göteborg Arika originated roles in creation with choreographers such as Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Damien Jalet, Alan Lucien Oyen, Marina Mascarell, Marcos Morau, Michael Keegan Dolan, Wang/Ramirez, Alexander Ekman, Imre and Marne Van Opstal, Tom Weinberger, and Emma Porter. She has also reinterpreted repertoires of Ohad Naharin, Sharon Eyal, and Crystal Pite. She has performed Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s ‘Noetic’ 100+ through Europe.

As a creator, Arika has been commissioned by GöteborgsOperan to co-create ‘Many Much More’ with Spenser Theberge, and ‘Try not to spill’ with Dorotea Saykaly. In 2015 Open Look Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia commissioned Arika and her partner Jim De Block to make ‘Digressing from the 4 Tons of Grey.’ In 2016 Arika, Jim, and co-creator Oleg Stepanov were invited to create a full-length, site-specific work by Chalmers University of Technology at their 3 day festival hosted by the Department of Architecture and the Department of Physics. Arika has been invited back by Chalmers in 2022-2023 to speak as a creative and performer on a panel discussion with Neuro Scientist, Physics, and researchers and professors to discuss the connection between science and art. Since 2016 Arika and Jim have been curating a creative platform called If We, Then which gathers artists with varied mediums to share space and process together. 

In 2020 Arika founded the AHA room, a coaching practice that works with High Performers, Artistic Leaders, and Creative Minds. Identifying, cultivating, and nurturing one’s unique identity in order to perform at their best. In 2024 Arika will continue her career as an independent Artist contributing in artistic processes as a performer and as a creative collaborator whilst developing an educational program that will provide young artists with mental training as a vital part of their curriculum in order to enhance their physical performance. By understanding how the mind works and that their relationship to their thoughts has a direct impact on how they behave, their level of motivation, on how they learn, retain, and ability to execute information. Once they have understood that and accepted That they cannot change their history but with a shift in perspective on how they view themselves they have the capacity and responsibility to choose who they want to be. Empowering young people with a sense of Ownership can drastically transform their performance in every facet of their lives.  Once they have experienced what it means to have a healthier relationship to their inner dialogue it is impossible to unknown it.