Kota Fujishima, a Principal Dancer with Columbia Classical Ballet, was born in Kagawa, Japan and began his ballet studies at the Hikasa Ballet Studio in Japan. He came to the U.S. at age 16 to attend the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C. before moving to Columbia, S.C. to continue his advanced training with Radenko Pavlovich. After his second season as a principal with Columbia Classical Ballet and his proudest role as Romeo, Kota went on to win the coveted Gold Medal (Professional Division) at the 2015 World Ballet Competition in Orlando and carried it home to his proud family on his annual visit. Other awards include the Bronze Medal 2014 WBC, First Place Senior Male 2014 YAGP Atlanta Regionals, Silver Medalist at the 2013 Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition NYC, First Place at the 2012 All Japan Osaka Ballet Competition and All Japan Ballet Competition, Third Place 2012 Japan Grand Prix and First Place at All Japan Nagoya Ballet Competition. His repertory includes the principal and soloist roles in The Sleeping Beauty - Prince, Don Quixote - Basilio, Romeo and Juliet - Romeo, Swan Lake - Pas de Trois, and The Nutcracker - Cavalier, Marzipan, and Nutcracker among many others. Kota continues to receive substantial offers from respected ballet companies. Columbia Classical Ballet is very pleased to welcome the very talented Kota Fujishima back for his fourth season.