Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryota “Jeffrey” Nishiyama.
Hi Ryota “Jeffrey”, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m 23 years old from Japan. I’m an artist, performer, and creator. I started getting interested in this creative world because of Michael Jackson. When I saw him dancing in “Captain EO” 12 years ago in Japan, it changed my life and I couldn’t help myself dancing. He introduced me to dance world. I kept dancing like him in my room for every day and night. I decided to go study abroad to a small high school in VA for three years. Because I wanted to learn English so that I can understand what MJ is saying. Those three years were life-changing. I learned not only English but how love and passion can change everything. I’m so grateful for friends from there who I still keep in touch with and encouraged me to challenge more since day one. After graduating high school, I decided not going to college and go back to Japan to make money to go to LA.
In Japan, I was lucky enough to work as a dancer. I worked for TV, stage, teaching, and most grateful one was to assist MJ’s former choreographer/dancer, LaVelle Smith Jr. That experience boosted my confidence and hunger to learn more. He’s such a special soul. I got to LA in 2019 July. Taking classes of dancers I admire was my dream. Especially Natalie Gilmore and Marty Kudelka taught me not only steps but mentality and how to really listen to music and people to “work” with different types of people. When I finally started getting used to LA, Covid hit us. In that hard situation, I was super lucky to work and assist my another idols next to MJ: Travis Payne and Stacy Walker. But seeing all the amazing dancer not having a job in this covid situation made me think about my future. Is dancing the only thing I want to do? The answer was no. So I now create contents WITH dance. I also loved fashion and music since I was very little, but making just t-shirts isn’t my style. I love creating with stories and surprises. That is what MJ taught me and I know that can make a spark in someone’s heart. Because that is exactly what he did for me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It wasn’t smooth, but it was a fun road now I think back. Learning English was super tough because I knew nothing about it when I first went study abroad. But I learned to ask for a help. When you become honest and say no, world starts becoming honest to you too. Dancing is never easy for me either. But that is the fun part. I learn because I wanna get better. Through dancing and taking high-level classes, I learned how to be friends with mistakes. I now am comfortable with making mistakes. Because I know that will make me grow. That applies many life situations too. So dance teaches me how to live and enjoy the moments. Sometimes, my creations don’t receive the reactions that I wanted. It definitely can be a struggle, but my friends are always there to help me. They always remind me that everything happens for a reason and nothing is really waste. I just gotta keep creating with pure joy and clear message.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I made a concept video of a song by Gabrielle Aplin. I played and composed a drum part to her acoustic song, and I choreographed/performed to it. She noticed my work and it was such an honor to hear she liked it. It is my dream to work with her.
I also made a sequence of collaborations with dance and different types of art. I danced to all the songs of her album called “English Rain,” and I asked her fans to collaborate with me. There were illustrators, photographers, contemporary dancers, handcrafting artists, etc. It was such a cool experience to work with people from all around the world.
Now I’m starting my own brand for creations. It’s called “Play It By Ear.” I like how it sounds musically to me, and I’m living my life just like that. It is an optimistic, playful, and positive brand. For this new start, I made t-shirts and stickers for the new challenge. This sticker is a reminder for everyone especially in this time when you’re surrounded by screens. I actually learned this lesson during quarantine. Sometimes it is so easy to forget simple but important things like this. For the t-shirt, I wanted to give a form to the playlist like vinyls or CD. We create and play playlists a lot nowadays, so I wanted it to be something physical. You can scan the code on the t-shirt and play it. I hope this will connect people over the music and fashion. Those two things always helped me to make new friends no matter where I was.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I think people will go back to the original, old school way. Online is our new normal now, but ever since the Covid, we crave the basic things such as nature, communication, handshaking, live performance, etc. Our lifestyle now is really close to the technology, but I think people will start appreciating the things that don’t involve technology. I hope there will be more venues and opportunities regardless the size in next 5-10 years.
Pricing:
- $30 for a t shirt
- $5 for a sticker
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryotajn/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC873hp5YGng_kUHAepOpb3Q
Image Credits:
3rd photo and personal image: Sean Derek 4th photo: Yuki Otsuka
