Artist Statement
As an artist, my passion lies in performing, creating, and connecting with audiences through dance. My work focuses on blending contemporary dance with hip-hop, crafting choreography that transcends the traditional boundaries of "dance for dancers." I believe that dance is for everyone. Whether my pieces tell a story or simply bring joy, I aim to engage with the audience in a way that they can understand and connect with.
Music is a powerful source of inspiration for me, and I often find my creative process unfolding in the solitude of a studio, where I experiment and refine my ideas. What drives my work is a desire to inspire others to dance and to evoke emotions through movement. I am drawn to contemporary works, hip-hop, and contemporary ballet, and I strive to fuse these styles in innovative ways.
Versatility is central to my identity as an artist. I am not only a performer and choreographer, but I also enjoy working on video editing and other creative projects. As a Brazilian artist, I am committed to following my dreams, wherever they may take me. My ultimate goal is to create a meaningful impact in the dance world, making it more accessible and inspiring. I also advocate for fair pay and better conditions for dancers, a cause I am deeply passionate about.
Biography
Larissa Tagami is a dedicated and versatile dancer whose rich, diverse background highlights her technical excellence and creative range. Her journey began at age five with Royal Ballet style training, establishing a foundation of precision and discipline. Since 2016, she has built a robust base in hip-hop, which has become central to her practice and lends dynamic versatility to her performances. Originally from Brazil, Larissa is pursuing her BFA in Dance Performance in the United States, with plans to graduate in May 2025.
Larissa’s academic and artistic accomplishments are distinguished by her consistent placement on the Dean’s List for Fall 2023 and Fall 2024, alongside notable awards such as the Gabriella Vann - Zero Gravity Fund for USF Dance Scholarship and Talent Grants for the summer and fall semesters of 2024. She has refined her craft through extensive master class experiences with leading figures like Stephanie Martinez, Jennifer Archibald, Kate Weare, and Ben Harley. Notably, she is the lead in Harley’s upcoming Spring 2025 piece, Second Chance, based on his musical, where she showcases her emotional depth and technical skill in a complex, expressive role.
Larissa’s practical experience reflects her dedication to mentorship and artistic education. As a Dance Instructor Intern at Blake High School in March 2024, she developed and implemented structured lesson plans, led dynamic sessions to inspire student engagement, and collaborated with faculty to support student progress. In April 2024, she led an Interdisciplinary Dance and Poetry Workshop, integrating poetic themes into dance to foster student creativity and self-expression.
Her performance credits include impactful roles in the USF Dance Concerts, with standout contributions in "Remember" (Jeannes Travers, Spring Dance Concert 2024), "Burn All Your Bridges" (Michael Foley, Fall Dance Concert 2023), and "The Things That Heal Us" (John Parks and Merry Lynn, Spring Dance Concert 2023). In the summer of 2024, she participated in the prestigious USF Dance in Paris program, culminating in a final showing of her original choreography, à Derieve.
Additionally, Larissa performed at the Olympiade Culturelle in Paris, France, as part of La (très) grande by renowned choreographer Agnès Pelletier, showcasing her adaptability and skill on an international stage in a high-caliber production.