In the Room With Ai Shimatsu

Choreography by Ai Shimatsu

Artist: Naomi Sharon - Definition of Love

Location: The Manor LDN Dance Studio, Finsbury Park, North London

Originally from Tokyo, Japan, Ai Shimatsu began training in ballet at just three years old before studying at the Tokyo Ballet School. In 2007, she moved to New York City to continue her training across jazz, hip hop, contemporary and other styles at Broadway Dance Center. Now based in Los Angeles, Ai has developed an international career as a dancer, choreographer, teacher and movement artist.

Ai’s performance career has seen her tour and perform alongside some of the biggest names in music, including Beyoncé, Madonna, Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Brandy. She was part of Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour in 2023 and has also appeared across television, award shows, film and major fashion campaigns. Alongside performing, Ai has continued to develop her own choreography and teaching practice, creating work that reflects her precision, musicality and versatility as an artist.

For her class at The Manor LDN, Ai brought her choreography to Naomi Sharon’s Definition of Love. Released through OVO Sound, the track was co-written by Sharon alongside Alex Lustig, Beau Nox and Liz Rodrigues and appears on Sharon’s debut album, Obsidian. Sharon has described the song as coming from a place of hope, desire and learning to love again after heartbreak.

The class was taught at The Manor while Ai was in London for Beyoncés' Cowboy Carter Tour , giving dancers the opportunity to train with an artist whose career continues to move between performance, choreography and teaching.