Riko Nakazono was born and raised in Japan. As a child, she was a dancer for Disney Channel Japan and won several titles in national dance competitions in her home country. After graduating from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, where she studied musical theater, she appeared in the original cast of the Stephen Schwartz-produced musical THE SECRET SILK. Her other engagements include THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE in New York, MAGIC TO DO at Princess Cruises, MADAMA BUTTERFLY at English National Opera and THE GARDEN OF WORDS at Whole Hog Theatre. In film, she has appeared in "Dumplings Over Flowers," "Oni," and "The Vagina Musical," among others. Her means of artistic expression also include puppetry, "Devised Theatre" and more.