Meet Ayaka Kamei Cento

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ayaka Kamei Cento and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ayaka, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I was 17, I had the opportunity to perform in hospitals in Japan. That experience moved me deeply and planted a seed—I dreamed of one day doing something similar, though I didn’t know how or when.

Nearly 20 years later, I was a closing company member of The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. The NYC performing arts scene is already incredibly competitive, and many of my extraordinarily talented colleagues were suddenly out of work. I didn’t want to see them simply go on unemployment—I wanted to create meaningful performance opportunities that would keep their passion alive as they navigated auditions and survival jobs.

At the same time, I was dancing regularly at the Metropolitan Opera. While I was grateful to perform on such a renowned stage, I often felt a sense of distance from the audience. I longed to create more direct, personal connections through art.

That’s how Art Couriers International was born. We’re a performing arts company with a mission to serve through outreach. We bring artists to hospitals, nursing homes, foster care homes, and schools—places where live art is rarely accessible. Our goal is twofold: to offer artists the chance to perform with purpose, and to make the performing arts more accessible, authentic, and meaningful.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Art Couriers International (ACI) is unique because we don’t limit ourselves to one kind of art. With my background in concert dance, Broadway, and The Metropolitan Opera—and with a team of artists from diverse fields—we’re able to bring a wide range of talents together.

From opera singers and modern dancers to painters, jazz musicians, hip-hop artists, puppeteers, poets, face painters, and magicians, you name it—we’ll find the right artist for your community. We love a challenge, and our goal is to connect people with meaningful, live art experiences.

I’m especially excited about expanding our programming to reach schools and foster care homes, driven by my passion for arts education and accessibility.

It hasn’t been easy. I currently balance four part-time jobs alongside building ACI. Managing time, energy, and logistics can be overwhelming, but I’ve learned the power of teamwork and purpose. Doing what I love—bringing joy and inspiration to people through the arts—makes the challenges worth it.

I want the world to know that ACI is more than a performance service. We’re a growing movement that believes everyone deserves access to real, human connection through the arts.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is a fun question!

If my best friends were visiting New York City, I’d take them to some of my favorite places: John’s of Bleecker Street for pizza, Café du Soleil for French, and a variety of spots for Asian food, burgers, and Italian. And of course—excellent coffee in the morning, plus pancakes. Maybe some donuts, pies, and gelato, too (I have a sweet tooth!).

If you’re in NYC, you have to see live shows! Depending on my guests’ taste, we’d go to The Met Opera, the ballet, and Broadway—ideally with a backstage tour, thanks to some cool friends in the theater world. Watching sports like baseball, hockey, or basketball would be fun, too.

For relaxing days, we’d spend time in Central Park if the weather is nice, or visit museums and the New York Public Library if it’s rainy or snowy.

Last but not least, I’d love to do a tour of Grand Central Terminal—my personal power spot. It’s beautiful, full of history, and the energy is always inspiring.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I’m grateful to my family—both immediate and extended. They’ve been my biggest cheerleaders and greatest role models. I’ve watched them pursue their dreams with determination and grace, always staying grounded. Their unconditional love, support, and understanding have shaped who I am today.

I also want to give a shoutout to two incredible friends.

Morgan McEwen, Founder and Artistic Director of MorDance, has been a constant source of inspiration since I joined her company in 2018. Her vision, work ethic, and drive to make a difference in the world push me to dream bigger.

Danielle Schulz, Founder of Triangle Sessions, is someone I deeply admire for her passion, kindness, and resilience. She’s been a guiding light, encouraging me to start my own business and generously sharing her wisdom along the way.

Thanks to Danielle, I’ve had the chance to work with an amazing mentor, JV from SCORE Mentorship—another huge shoutout to him!

Website: https://artci.org/

Instagram: @art.couriers.international

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Q7TLzQ9EC/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@artcouriersinternational?si=ou7gMCvK89yffd8_

Other: Ayaka Kamei Cento
Instagram: @akdance.ny

Image Credits
Vincent Cento