Alumni Spotlight: Gabrielle Kazuko ('10)

Meet alumna Gabrielle Kazuko ’10! Gabrielle studied news-editorial journalism and dance. At Western, her fierce journalism professor Carolyn Nielsen mentored Gabrielle from a student journalist to professional writer. “Carolyn was talking about race, gender, and intersectionality when few others around me were. And on the dance side, I will forever cherish working with Kraig “Bopi” Patterson of the Mark Morris Dance Group whom I had admired ever since my days as a young ballet student.”

Gabrielle worked for student publications editing The Western Front newspaper and Klipsun Magazine. Through helping her peers, she learned so much about the craft of journalism. “I have continued to build off of my studies at Western. As a dance artist, I work with a group of Asian American artists, and have received grants from Seattle's Office of Arts & Culture, the Washington State Arts Commission, Humanities Washington, and am currently completing a year-long paid apprenticeship program to learn traditional Japanese dance.

I was an arts reporter after college but have been doing public relations at Seattle Opera for the past eight years.” “I am proud of the work I am doing to illuminate Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color in the arts—both through the dances I am creating, and through my advocacy of others. Whether it’s writing a freelance piece about a Black Lives Matter activist/ballerina, working with Asians in opera to create more equity in the industry, or helping Seattle Opera to reinterpret historic works in more inclusive, vibrant ways, I want to make it easier for us to be our full, complex, beautiful selves in white-dominated spaces." She loves playing with her two little kids, listening to Beyoncé, and watching “The Office.” For students graduating soon, “Have the courage to create your own path, even if it doesn't look like anyone else's. You've got this.”

Thank you for sharing your story. We are so proud of you!